Audition NoticeTHE MOUSETRAP Sunday, June 16 at 2:00pm Monday, June 17 at 7:00pm Thrilling twists abound in Agatha Christie's classic mystery About the Show Directed by Art Suskin Written by Agatha Christie The Mousetrap by Agatha Christie is currently approaching its 28,000 consecutive performance in London’s West End where it opened 25th November 1952. A group of strangers stranded in a boarding house during a snow storm. One of them is a murderer. The suspects include the newly married couple who run the house. The suspicions in their minds nearly wreck their perfect marriage. Arrivals include a spinster with a curious background, an architect who seems better equipped to be a chef, a retired Army major, and a jurist who makes life miserable for everyone. And then comes the unexpected guest—a strange little foreign man who claims his Rolls Royce overturned in a snowdrift. Into their midst add a policeman traveling on skis. He no sooner arrives than the jurist is killed. Could this be connected to the horrific murder that has dominated radio broadcasts all day? Two down, one to go. To discover the rationale of the murderer’s pattern, the policeman probes the background of everyone present, rattling one skeleton after another. Another famous Agatha Christie switch finish! Chalk up another superb intrigue for the foremost mystery writer of her time! The Mousetrap is produced by Special Arrangement with Samuel French, Inc. Audition Information Auditions will be held at The Geauga Lyric Arts Center, 106 Water St, Chardon, OH 44024 (across the street from the theater) For appointments, please contact Art Suskin at 816-210-6266 Appointment is necessary. Auditions will consist of readings from the script and/or your prepared dramatic piece. (A prepared dramatic piece of 1-2 minutes is preferred but not required.) Please be prepared to stay for a few hours. Callbacks (if necessary) are by invitation only on Wednesday, June 19 at 7:00pm. Please bring all your conflicts for June 22 and 23 and between Saturday, August 24 and Sunday, September 22. Include your conflicts for Saturday and Sunday afternoons and evenings and all weekday evenings. The Director advises that actors read the play before attending the auditions. Rehearsal & Performance Information One early Read-Through will be held on either Saturday, June 22 or on Sunday, June 23. Casting may not be finalized until AFTER that Read-through. The Rehearsal Process will continue with a Company Meeting and Second Read-through from 1:00-6:00pm on Saturday, August 24. Rehearsals start on Sunday, August 25: generally 5 per week: Mon-Thurs eve and Sun afternoons (with some Fridays and Saturdays due to the shorter rehearsal period). Performances: Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30pm and Sundays at 2pm, September 27-October 13. Roles Available The Geauga Lyric Theater Guild is casting 5 men and 3 women as described below. NOTE: Except for Mr. Paravicini, all the characters will have English accents. WOMEN: Mollie Ralston—Age 20s: Mollie is a tall, pretty young woman with an ingenuous air, a bit naïve, but eager to succeed. Mollie has inherited Monkswell Manor and, along with her possibly less enthusiastic husband, turned it into a boarding house. This is opening day for the business and she is excited and focused on getting this new adventure off to a solid start. Mrs. Boyle—Age Late 40s-60s: A large, imposing woman in a very bad temper, the second guest to arrive. Very demanding, she criticizes everything. In the day, she might have been played by Edith Evans, Dame Mae Witty or Marie Dressler. Miss Casewell—Age 30s: The fourth and last expected guest to arrive. A young woman of a manly type. Possibly gay. Remember this play premiered in 1952, a very different time. MEN: Giles Ralston—Age 20s: Giles is an attractive but rather arrogant young man, seemingly completely in love with Mollie. He is her partner in running Monkswell Manor as a boarding house. Christopher Wren—Age 20s: The first guest to arrive, Christopher is a rather wild-looking neurotic young man. His hair is long and untidy and he sports clothing that would be worn by a “Bohemian” artist, but seems more interested in cooking than art or architecture. He has a confiding, almost childish manner. Possibly gay. Remember this play premiered in 1952, a very different time. Major Metcalf—Age late 40s-60s: The third guest to arrive, he is a square-shouldered man, very military in manner and bearing. Mr. Paravicini—Age 50s-60s: The unexpected and fifth guest. Foreign (Italian accent) and dark and elderly with a rather flamboyant moustache, a slightly taller version of Hercule Poirot, which may give a wrong impression to the audience. He seems to be continental in style, kissing ladies hands and full of continental formality. Detective Sergeant Trotter—Age Late 20s-early 30s: The last character to arrive (on skis, no less). Looks too young to be a sergeant in the Berkshire Police. A cheerful, commonplace young man with a Cockney accent. He is investigating a possible connection between a famous child-abuse case, a recent murder, and the appearance of the name “Monkswell Manor” on a page of a notebook found at the murder scene. Questions? For further information and appointments, contact the director, Art Suskin, at 816-210-6266 or art@theatregym.org -- Erika Hansen Executive Director 106 Water Street Chardon, OH 44024 440.285.7701 operations@geaugatheater.org geaugatheater.org