Auditions header

A Bad Year for Tomatoes
by John Patrick
Directed By
TONI ANDERSON-SOMMO
Auditions
Tuesday, Aug 29 (7pm)
If call backs are needed. they would occur later that same audition week.
Production Dates
The production date is tentatively set for Oct 27-29 as we finalize venue date availability.
The performance venue will be the Saratoga Town Hall building in the heart of Schuylerville.
Rehearsals will be held T, Th and Fri.

Synopsis :  A disenchanted actress, Myra Marlow leases a cottage in the tiny New England hamlet
of Beaver Haven to hide away and write her autobiography. She has no problem
turning away her long-time agent, determined to sign her for new roles, but turning away
the nosy, omnipresent neighbors is a different matter. In an attempt to scare them off
Myra fabricates a mad, homicidal sister, Sadie, locked in the upstairs bedroom. Myra
warns everyone that Sadie could escape at any moment with her trusty pair of scissors,
but this does not deter the neighbors, especially the local handyman who thinks Sadie is
“purty,” when Myra allows her to escape for a few moments. (It is really Myra in a fright
wig and buck teeth.) The ladies of the town want to save Sadie’s demented soul.
When Myra finally announces Sadie has been sent to a “home” in Boston, the neighbors
are convinced a murder has occurred, and the local sheriff is determined to crack the
case and find the body. It’s a bad year for tomatoes when the neighbors

 

Characters

Myra Marlowe/Sister Sadie – Disenchanted actress, sharp, sarcastic , she is never at a loss for a witty comeback. 30-40 years old. Actress must be able to do physical comedy and different voices.

Tom Lamont – Marlow’s agent who carries a torch for his favorite actress. Suave, debonair and determined to win Myra back to acting and away from her new country home. 30-40 years old.

Cora Gump – a secret lush with marital problems and a penchant for Scotch, although she holds her liquor well – sort of. 40-60 years old, dowdy and enjoys gossiping with her friend Reba.

Reba Harper – loves to gossip and loves to bring the “spiritually challenged” to salvation. 40-60 years old, dowdy and Cora’s sidekick.

Piney – a large, imposing man of few words and even less charm. Physical comedy required, Piney falls in love with the deranged Sadie. Must have strong teeth and shins! Presents as 40ish or older.

Willa Mae Wilcox – psychic neighbor who loves to enter the house in a unique way, she believes in horoscopes, and spells and does not get along with the neighbors or her dead husband. Presents 50 or older.

Sheriff – Think Barney Fife! 40ish or older.

A Bad Year for Tomatoes is presented by arrangement with Concord Theatricals. www.concordtheatricals.com