The Playhouse at McConnellstown to Hold Auditions for its Annual Holiday Show

The Playhouse will hold auditions for its annual holiday show on September 25 at 7 PM for for actors and actresses ages 9 and up. Auditions will be held in at The Playhouse located at 11680 Raystown Road, Huntingdon, PA in the village of McConnellstown. The show performance dates are November 22nd, 23rd, 29th, 30th, and December 6th and 7th at 7:30 PM and November 24th and December 1st and 8th at 2:00 PM. Please bring your calendar with all conflicts between November 22nd and December 8th. Scripts are currently available for perusal, and all scripts must be returned to The Playhouse before auditions on September 25.

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 or Sunday mornings depending on scheduling conflicts, 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.

The Playhouse holiday show will feature two comical one-acts by Ken Ludwig. “Tiny Tim’s Christmas Carol” (written by Ken and Jack Ludwig) and “’Twas The Night Before Christmas” are sure to make everyone laugh—including old man Scrooge.

In “Tiny Tim’s Christmas Carol,” Bob Cratchitt’s son hatches a plan to get his father home for Christmas day. With the help of some kindly sellers at the market and his friend Charlotte, Tiny Tim stages a spectacle filled with ghosts and Christmas cheer to convince Scrooge to give his father the day off. It all seems to be going according to plan until a little bit of real Christmas magic catches everyone by surprise.

“Tiny Tim’s Christmas Carol” will consist of adult actors and actresses (18+ unless otherwise specified). The casting requirements are as follows:

TINY TIM (15-25): a thoughtful, fresh-faced, optimistic young man.

CHARLOTTE (15-25): resilient, tom-boyish, full of mischief female.

PUPPET SELLER (20s+): female townsperson

PIE SELLER (20s+): male townsperson

BOOK SELLER (20s+) male townsperson

SCROOGE (50s+): A greedy miser

BOB CRATCHIT (40s): Tiny Tim’s overworked father

MRS. CRATCHIT (40s+): Tiny Tim’s mother

STEVENS (40s+): male townsperson

HOLLYFOOT (40s+): male townsperson

FRED (30s-40s): Scrooge’s carefree nephew

“’Twas The Night Before Christmas” is all about the mice—who are actually stirring despite the poem’s lines. A mouse is stirring because Santa missed his house last year. Before you can throw open the shutters, we’re off on the wild adventures of a mouse, an elf, and a spunky little girl who just won’t take no for an answer.

The play begins with Uncle Brierly and Emily attempting to read the traditional version only to be interrupted by Amos the mouse. It soon becomes clear that Santa left both Emily and Amos off the ‘Naughty’ and ‘Nice’ lists, and he skipped their house all together. An elf named Calliope comes to investigate and whisks Emily and a reluctant Amos Mouse off to the North Pole to save Christmas.

The ensuing adventure is a hilarious and chaotic mix that includes rogue elves, airplane rides, a case of mistaken identity, a confused Santa, an elf cheer, sword fighting, and characters rapping out songs. There is no shortage of enthusiasm, exhilaration, and elation during this holiday adventure.

“’Twas The Night Before Christmas” will consist of children (8-17). The casting requirements are as follows:

UNCLE BRIERLY: A loving and festive man.

EMILY: Uncle Brierly’s niece who has a zest for life.

AMOS THE MOUSE: He is cool and calm on the surface but the embodiment of a nervous mouse underneath.

CALLIOPE: An elf who is loving, sweet, and nurturing. The embodiment of Christmas magic.

SIR GUY OF GISBOURNE: An ex-elf who wants to ruin Christmas for everyone.

MULCH: Sir Guy of Gisbourne’s sidekick; clueless and dorky which leads to some madcapped adventures.

WENDALL SNEAD: Uncle Brierly’s friend. Married to Britannia. Will need to use different regional dialects.

BRITANNIA SNEAD: Uncle Brierly’s friend. Married to Wendall. Will need to use different regional dialects.

SANTA CLAUS: The jolly man in red.

AMOS OF KANSAS: The western twin of Amos the Mouse. Philosophical and relaxed. A good guy to have in a tight spot.

Additional adults (18+) and children (8-17) are encouraged to fill ensemble roles. All casting requirements and decisions are at the discretion of the production’s director. Parents of actors under 15 are encouraged to attend auditions and rehearsals.

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, Dan 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 audience have come to expect. Please come join us for a wonderful theatrical experience. We look forward to seeing you at audions!

All casting decisions are at the discretion of the show’s director. In addition to actors and actresses for the production, we are also looking for production assistants, 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!