Curtain Call Theatre (Latham, NY) will be holding auditions for
“GRAND HORIZONS”
By Bess Wohl
Directed by Matthew Moross
Auditions:
· Sunday – December 4, 2022 | 6:00 PM
· Monday – December 5, 2022 | 6:00 PM
Location:
· Curtain Call Theatre – 1 Jeanne Jugan Lane, Latham, NY 12110
Rehearsals:
· Begin late April 2023
· Generally held on Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday evenings
Performances:
· June 1-25, 2023
· Thursday at 7:30 PM, Friday and Saturday at 8:00 PM, & Sunday at 3:00 PM
· One Saturday matinee at 3:00 PM on June 10, 2023.
Show Description:
Over a quiet dinner for two, Bill and Nancy serenely decide to divorce after fifty years of marriage. While Nancy feels liberated and Bill seems unfazed, their adult sons Brian and Ben don’t exactly take it well. As the “kids” descend on the Grand Horizons senior living community in an attempt to mediate, everything they thought they knew about their parents comes crashing down. Bess Wohl’s (Small Mouth Sounds) Tony-nominated comedy is a hilarious, heartbreaking commentary on marriage, family, and the wisdom that comes with age—or not.
Available Roles:
Nancy / Female Identifying / Age 70’s
Married 50 years. But probably closer to 70+. Lives in Grand Horizons. Retired librarian. Always dreamed of writing her own book. Fantasizes about eating in a restaurant alone. Runs a clothing drive where she sends dead people’s clothes to refugees around the world. Loves Bill but is not in love with Bill. She was in love with her high school sweetheart, Hal. She wonders if she married Bill to get Hal out of her heart. She wants to be “a full person.” She wants to feel like she “exists.” She doesn’t recognize herself anymore. She thinks she may never have never recognized herself in the mirror in her entire life – the person she saw in the mirror never matched how she felt inside. Never had her own bank account. Desperately wants Bill to notice her. To fight for her.
Ben / Male Identifying / Age Late 30’s to early 40’s
Oldest Son. Jess’s husband. Expectant father. Lawyer. Has stress eczema. Was in a fraternity in college. Follows the rules. Successful. Feels like he has to take care of everyone and resents it. Practical. Dependable. Resistant to intimacy. Fears showing weakness. Repressed and tightly wound. Lost. Terrified. Wants to be a good husband to Jess and a great father to their child. Refers to his wife as “Babe.” She used to like that. She doesn’t anymore.
Brian / Male Identifying / Mid to late 30’s
Gay, Youngest son. High school theater teacher. Sensitive. Emotional. Spoiled. Needy. He wants to be loved. And seen. Doesn’t think love lasts. He lacks true intimacy in his life. Alone. Feels betrayed by his family. Feels disrespected by everyone. Desperately wants his family to make it. He doesn’t want anyone to feel disappointed. Ever.
Jess / Female Identifying / Early to mid 30’s
A therapist. Ben’s wife. Very pregnant. Terrified of going from “Babe” to “mom” and waking up after 50 years of marriage to realize she’s lost herself. Seems like a caricature of a feel-good touchy-feely therapist but actually is wise and passionate about Nancy’s inner life and needs. She realizes she could easily end up being Nancy herself when she’s 70 years old. Terrified of losing herself. She used to like it when Ben called her “Babe.” She doesn’t anymore.
Tommy / Female Identifying / Early to mid 30’s
Flirty, fun, funny, and adventurous. Well adjusted. Saves the drama for consensual fantasy play and keeps it out of his everyday life. Loves himself enough to not let himself play the role of caretaker anymore. He’s been there and isn’t going back. Sees completely through Brian’s neediness and narcissism and respects himself enough to not stick around for the inevitable drama. He’s a man who knows what he wants and what he doesn’t.
Carla / Female Identifying / Late 60’s to early 70’s
She’s having an affair with Bill. Lives in Vista View. Retired Dentist’s receptionist. Taking Stand-up comedy class. Sexts texts with Bill. Cheerful, may be frumpy, and warm. The kind of person who wears themed outfits for holidays. Nervous. She volunteers to hold the hands of dying hospice patients. She doesn’t recognize herself anymore. Spent her life cheering others up. As she became older, she became invisible. Ordered a vibrator online, shaped like an egg, and loves it.
Please note that the role of Bill has been cast.
Please note that all participants in CCT shows must be fully vaccinated and adhere to masking policies as required.
For more information about the theatre and the rest of our season please visit our website at www.curtaincalltheatre.com.