Performance dates are July 9 through July 26.
For more information contact director Mason Adams at masonadMs@msn.com
Set in a hospital, It Runs in the Family contains the usual assortment of farcical nuts running in and out of doors mistaking everybody for someone else, as Dr. Mortimore tries to fend off a paternity suit, an ex-wife, a punkish daughter and various other lunatics so that he may, at last, deliver the Ponsonby Lecture in an international conference. The hospital becomes a veritable madhouse of lunacy as poor Dr. Mortimore’s chances of escape become more and more complex.
This is a very fast paced, crazy comedy with one set. There are wild situations with at least three males impersonating Matron in drag.
Except for two characters people are constantly coming on and off so everyone will need to be at all rehearsals. This is a tight ensemble piece.
Roles: 7 males, 5 females
Dr. David Mortimer - late 40s to early 50s - A successful neurologist at an important moment in his career. He is charming and a little pompous, flustered but quick to come up with ideas to cover he ever growing string of lies.. He is hoping to become the head of surgery and get knighted as a result of the speech he is about to present. He is onstage for almost the entire play and it is a very physical role. He is Rosemary’s husband, Jane’s former lover and Leslie’s father. He ends up in drag as Matron.
Dr. Mike Connolly - mid 20s to mid 30s - An exuberant, boyish doctor who loves acting and dressing up. Makes an attractive woman in the right dress. He is eager to please but is often frenetic!
Dr. Hubert Bonney - late 40s to early 50s - A doctor and David’s best friend. He is very low key but very likable. Much to his dismay he finds himself in the middle of David’s lies ultimately having to say he is Leslie’s father. While he may be slow to realize some things, he can be quick to react in song etc. to cover up something. He always gives in to David and is totally afraid of his mother. He ends up in drag as Matron. He has lots of physical comedy.
Sir Willoughby Drake - early 60s to late 70s - He is a stern administrator who is a little out of touch with what really goes on in the hospital. Chair of the Board of St. Andrew’s Hospital, London. Very elegant – but ultimately succumbs to the gin in the end!
Police Sergeant - late 40s to early 60s - He is a practical, down to earth cop who has arrested Leslie. He is revealed to be Mike’s uncle. He is the antagonist trying to get to the bottom of what is going on and haul Leslie off to jail.
Bill Leslie - early 60s to late 70s - He is a patient at the hospital who gets thrown into the fray as a result of David’s lies. He is eccentric, fun loving and imagines him a swinger. He is confused into thinking the doctor’s lounge is his new hospital room and confuses everyone else. He is in a wheelchair, loves his liquor and women. He always becomes lucid when David is trying to cover something up.
Leslie - late teens to early 20s - The tough, punk offspring of Jane and David who is now on an emotional rollercoaster finding out a doctor at the hospital is his father. He/She is very excitable but persistent. This is a very physical role but he/she is very sweet and loving when he/she thinks he/she has found his/her father and grandmother.
Rosemary Mortimer - late 40s to late 50s - David’s attractive wife. She is refined and very outgoing and pleasant. She falls for many of her husband’s lies with concern and compassion. She handles the chaos that erupts around her with typical English resolve.
Matron - mid 30s to late 50s - Used to giving the orders and having them taken. She is a no nonsense type of woman. She is robust, ample, strict, a rule follower. She can be quite intimidating but changes totally when she thinks Dr. Bonny has romantic intentions. She has lots of physical comedy.
Jane Tate - late 30s to late 40s - Very pretty, sexy and cuddly. A former nurse at the hospital who had an affair with David that resulted in her son Leslie. She is a middle class and very protective of her son. She is not a pushover.
Sister - any age range - She is a very efficient nurse at the hospital. Only appears in Act 1.
Mother - mid 60s to late 70s - Hubert’s mother. She is doting, amiable but strong willed where her son is concerned. She is feisty and becomes surprised that her son got a woman pregnant but is thrilled with her new grandson. She only appears in Act 2.