Auditions

“The Musical Comedy Murders of 1940” — April 15, 2025 at 7 pm

The Playhouse at McConnellstown will hold auditions for its season opener, “The Musical Comedy Murders of 1940” on Tuesday, April 15 at 7 pm, in its building located at 11680 Raystown Road in the village of McConnellstown.

Standard show performances are June 6, 7, 13, and 14 at 7:30 pm with Sunday matinees on June 8 and 15 at 2:30 pm. An additional performance has also been scheduled for June 20 at 7:30 pm in partnership with the Huntingdon County Chamber of Commerce. Please bring your calendar with all conflicts between April 15 and June 20. All actors are required to attend all scheduled rehearsals during the final week before the show opens. Rehearsals are typically held three evenings each week, and weekend rehearsals may be scheduled.

Work days for set construction and building readiness will be held on Saturdays between April 19 and May 31 from 10 am to 2 pm. Lunch will be provided. We politely request that all actors cast in the show commit to attending at least one work day in addition to the final work day on May 31.

Written by John Bishop, “The Musical Comedy Murders of 1940” takes place in December 1940. An eccentric theatre financier has gathered a creative production team at her mansion in New York. Everyone believes that they will have a backer’s audition to get financing for a new musical. However, the shadow of the team’s last show hangs over the group–deemed a flop, the previous show was ravaged by the Stage Door Slasher, a mysterious killer of chorus girls.

While an undercover police officer hopes to flush out the killer from the group of suspects, the killer has other plans. Throw in blizzard conditions, secret passageways, and some musical snippets to create a whodunnit parody, this show is full of delightful slapstick for audience of all ages.

Casting requirements for “The Musical Comedy Murders of 1940” are as follows:

Helsa Wenzel (m or f, 20s+): Elsa’s German maid. A complex character who is more than she seems. For performances, this character needs to use a German accent.

Elsa von Grossenknueten (f, 40s+): A wealthy patron of the arts. She is proud of her family’s history of spy-craft in Germany. She’s eccentric, often seeming naïve and flighty.

Michael Kelly (m, 30s+): An undercover cop, posing as Elsa’s driver in order to trap the Stage Door Slasher. Kelly is laser-focused on his job and keeping everyone safe.

Patrick O’Reilly (m, 30s+): An Irish tenor—or is he? For performances, this character requires passable Irish, New York, and German accents.

Ken De La Maize (m, 30s+): The director. Ken is pompous and self-absorbed.

Nikki Crandall (f, 20s-30s): Chorus girl and dancer. She comes across as an innocent, sweet, Broadway hopeful, but there’s more to her than meets the eye.

Eddie McCuen (m, 20s-30s): Struggling comedian. Eddie is funny, awkward, and an accidental hero.

Marjorie Baverstock (f, 40s+): Broadway producer. She is larger than life, seems silly at times, but her whole life is dedicated to a passion for the arts.

Roger Hopewell (m, 30s+): Composer who has had many hits with lyricist Bernice Roth. Roger is often sarcastic, teasing the others frequently.

Bernice Roth (f, 30s+): Lyricist with a penchant for drinking. She’s hyper, emotional, easily upset, and wildly creative.

Copies of the script are available for review but must be returned to The Playhouse before auditions on April 15. For inquiries about the production or to request a copy of the script, please call 814.627.0311 or email us at mail@littletheater.com.

We encourage all thespians to audition regardless of age, race, gender, and ability. 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 volunteers. We are seeking production assistants, stage managers, stage crew, concessions, front of house staff, and parking assistance.

While experience is helpful, The Playhouse at McConnellstown does not require previous theatrical experience. We do ask 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!

The Playhouse is located at 11680 Raystown Rd, Huntingdon, PA, six miles South of Huntingdon Borough right on Rt. 26 in the Village of McConnellstown. For more information, please check the website at www.littletheater.com, or like us on Facebook (The Playhouse at McConnellstown).