The Playhouse at McConnellstown to Hold Auditions for “Jack of Diamonds”
The Playhouse will hold auditions for “Jack of Diamonds” on Tuesday, July 31st at 7:00 PM in its building located at 11680 Raystown Road, Huntingdon, PA in the village of McConnellstown. The show performance dates are September 21st, 22nd, 27th, 28th, and 29th at 7:30 PM and September 23rd and 30th at 2:00 PM. Please bring your calendar with all conflicts between July 31st and September 30th. Scripts are available for perusal and all scripts must be returned to The Playhouse before auditions on Tuesday, July 31st.
All actors will be required to attend all scheduled rehearsals during the final week before the show opens. Rehearsals are usually 3 evenings each week; work days are held on Saturday mornings, and Saturday and/or Sunday rehearsals are possible. For more information, please contact The Playhouse at 814-627-0311. You may also find us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter @LittleTheater.
Written by Marcia Kash and Douglas E. Hughes, “Jack of Diamonds” combines slapstick humor with cunning heist. Jack is a former jeweler who made his living buying and selling diamonds via late night TV ads. He lives in a privately-owned retirement home with his fellow residents.
Unbeknownst to Jack and his friends, the man to whom they’ve entrusted their life savings has been arrested for bilking his clients out of their money through a Ponzi scheme. Faced with financial ruin, the friends suddenly find themselves confronting the author of their miserable fate when he is unexpectedly delivered to them – along with several million dollars in diamonds. Pandemonium ensues as the four retirees try to find a way to exact their revenge, recoup their losses, and keep the authorities from discovering their plans.
Actors should be able to play the roles between the ages listed. The cast breakdown is as follows:
Jack Newman – Late 60s to early 70’s. A successful businessman, former jeweler and late-night TV pitchman. Physically spry and still very much engaged in life.
Rose – Late 60s to early 70s. An independent, feisty old bird and real technophile.
Blanche – Late 60s. A fading beauty who suffers from narcolepsy.
Flora – Late 60s to early 70s. Grandmotherly type, always cheerful, very talented at making jewelry, has memory issues.
Nurse Harper – 40s to 50s. Career nurse. Lonely, unappreciated, bored and frustrated.
Barney Effward – 40s to 60s. Charming con man. A Bernie Madoff type. This role has some physical comedy.
*Wilf Gunnarson – Late 80s (script says 89). Almost completely deaf but totally with it.
*Mortimer – 40s to 60s. Uptight, hypochondriac lawyer.
*Policeman – 40s to 50s. Straight-laced, humorless. A real by-the-book type.
*Please Note: Wilf, Mortimer, and Policeman are designed to be played by the same actor, but the roles could be cast separately. Separate casting would result in very few lines and stage time for the actors.
All casting requirements are at the discretion of the production’s director. In addition to actors and actresses for the production, we are also looking for stage managers and stage crew. We also encourage anyone who would like to work with lights, sound, costumes, properties, and set design to contact Artistic Director Daniel Weston at danwest@littletheater.com.
While experience is helpful, The Playhouse at McConnellstown does not require previous theatrical experience. We do, however, require that you have the desire, commitment, and the drive to help us produce the high-quality shows that our audiences have come to expect. Please come join us for a wonderful theatrical experience. We look forward to seeing you at auditions!