Auditions
A 1940's Radio Christmas Carol
November 29 - December 15, 2024
$30-$35
The long-awaited sequel to the popular The 1940's Radio Hour. It's Christmas Eve, 1943, and the Feddington Players are now broadcasting from a hole-in-the-wall studio in Newark, NJ, and set to present their contemporary "take" on Dickens's A Christmas Carol.
Whether it's the noisy plumbing, missed cues, electrical blackouts, or the over-the-top theatrics of veteran actor, but radio novice, William St. Claire, this radio show is an entertaining excursion into the mayhem and madness of a live radio show. St. Claire's escalating foibles and acting missteps propel the show to a simultaneously comedic and heart-wrenching dramatic climax: St. Claire has an on-air breakdown, and begins to connect his own life with that of the classic Dickens tale. In order to "save the show," the company improvises an ending to Charles Dickens' classic as a film noir mystery, featuring a hardboiled detective, a femme fatale, and an absurd rescue of Tiny Tim (and the Lindbergh baby) from the clutches of a Hitler-esque villain named Rudolf!
Audition Info
Book by Walton Jones Music Composed and Arranged by David Wohl Lyrics by Faye Greenberg
Directed by Nicole DiMattei
Music Directed by Thomas Fuller
Audition Dates:
Saturday, September 7, 10a-1p
Tuesday, September 10, 7p-9p
All Roles
CLIFTON FEDDINGTON (M, 45-65)
[Singing a plus but not required] 55 year-old Mutual Announcer, front man for WOV's Nash-Kelvinator Mystery Theatre. Wears wire-frame glasses like Glenn Miller. Known for being cheap. Has a crush on Judith.
FRITZ CANIGLIARO (M, 35-50)
[Singing a plus, but not required] Once an east-coast Florsheim Shoe salesman (and still plugs them whenever he gets an opportunity for a little commission), now a WOV regular. The resident Masher, cynic and wise-guy, Fritz plays Frank Nelson cameos in comedy sketches. In his early 40s.
MARGIE O'BRIEN (F, 25-40)
[Singing required] Brassy, flippant, with a voice to match (think Ginger Rogers in "Stage Door"). As a show regular, plays the comic roles. This 30 year-old Irish-American comedienne lives with her two sisters, Zazu and Vi, in a two-room apartment in Queens. She works days as a bookkeeper/typist/stenographer/receptionist.
ESTHER LEWIS PIRNIE
[No Singing necessary] Backstage audio engineer and transmitter supervisor for WOV radio.
WILLIAM ST. CLAIRE (M, 60-80)
[No Singing necessary] 70 year-old, retired star of stage and screen. With a great mane of dramatic white hair, William is a bit of a curmudgeon and looks down on radio as one of the bastard children of the stage. William's 31 year-old son David was killed in the Air Force in France in June 1943. A guest performer in tonight's show, Mr. St. Claire plays Scrooge.
"LITTLE" JACKIE SPARKS (M, 15-25)
[Singing a plus, but not required] Not actually "little," but young. A tenor with a high speaking voice. Having just graduated from high school, Jackie, only 17, lives with his mom in suburban Newark. Calls home probably a dozen times a day. Teased a lot. Still has a Sunday paper route.
SALLY SIMPSON (F, 18-30)
[Singing a plus but not required] 20 year-old Sally seems sweet and gentle, but is a tough lady. Lives on the lower east side of Manhattan. As a show regular, plays all the animals, babies, insects, little kids. Makes the long train ride to Babylon, Long Island, three days a week, to contribute to the war effort by working for Republic Aviation operating drill presses and riveting guns. Always trying to recruit the other WOV women to join "the cause."
HAROLD J. MULLINS
[No Singing necessary] Concierge of the Hotel Aberdeen in Newark.
CHARLES "CHOLLY" BUTTS (M, 30-45)
[Singing preferred, but not required] Funny man. Has a day job as a baker at Weequahic Diner (where his specialty is the nesselrode pie). A little stout. Lives in Jersey City, with his wife, Midge, has no kids, and has a hopeless and unrequited crush on Margie.
JUDITH DAVENPORT (F, 30-45)
[Singing required] Although quite the cutup herself, Judith is the resident "leading lady" playing all such roles as a regular. Has two kids and two ex's and wants no more of either. Determined and stubborn. Considers herself a "legit" actress. Day job working as a switchboard operator.
ISADORE "BUZZ" CRENSHAW (M, 20-30)
[No Singing necessary] His life is his work. The 24 year-old "sound effectician" at WOV. Has a sharp wit and is always agreeable, whistling, and in a good mood. Born and raised in Bayonne by his Aunts Lulu and Gilly. Wears an FDR button. Spends a lot of time with Sally Simpson. Buzz lives alone.
AUDITIONS WILL BE HELD BY APPOINTMENT
Granite Theatre 1 Granite St Westerly, RI 02891
Please request a date and hour long time slot. You will receive a confirmation email within a week of the audition date.
Please bring a headshot/recent picture and resume, if you have them available.
Prepare 16-32 bars (approximately 30 seconds) of a song that you are most comfortable singing. An accompanist will be provided, so please bring sheet music if you have it. If not, acappella singing is happy accepted.
Not all roles require singing. Sides for the audition are available HERE
You may be asked to read sides at the audition.
Callbacks will be held later that week, Date/Time TBD