Schedule Your Audition Below

Rumors by Neil Simon

Director: Clinton Vidal

AUDITIONS: Sunday, January 4th & Monday, January 5th:  6:00 pm – 9:00 pm.

PLACE: Historic BDES Hall, 140 West J Street, Benicia, California

CALL BACKS (by invitation): Wednesday, January 7th, 6 – 9:00 pm

AUDITION FORMAT:
Auditions will begin with scheduled individual slots during the first hour (extended as needed). The remainder of the evening will be open to walk-ins and additional readings.  Actors may be asked to stay for scene readings.

AUDITION DETAILS:

• • A 2-3 minute comedic monologue, preferably from a farce.
  • Each audition will last 5 – 10 minutes.
  • Please bring a resume when you arrive and photo (if available)

SCHEDULE AND CONFLICTS:

Conflicts will not eliminate someone from being cast, however, please notify us at the audition if you are not available for all performances and tech week. Rehearsals dates are TBD, but will likely take place in the evenings from 7 – 10pm; Sunday – Wednesday.

COMPENSATION:

All roles are volunteer, however, a small travel stipend will be provided to each actor.

=====

SHOW SYNOPSIS:

When the Deputy Mayor of New York is discovered in his townhouse—unconscious, bleeding, and with his wife nowhere to be found—his upscale dinner guests scramble to conceal the scandal. As couple after couple arrives, each with less information than the last, a hilarious chain reaction of lies, confusion, and panic ensues.

ROLES:

NOTE: Ages are stage ages and flexible. Casting will emphasize ensemble chemistry, comedic timing, and physicality.

1. Chris Gorman

• • Gender: Female
  • Age Range: 30 – 50
  • Description: A nervous, fast-talking lawyer trying desperately to keep the situation under control. Spirals into panic as the night unravels. Strong comedic timing required.

2. Ken Gorman

• • Gender: Male
  • Age Range: 30 – 50
  • Description: Chris’s husband. A tense attorney who becomes temporarily deaf from an accidental gunshot. Requires strong physical comedy.

3. Claire Ganz

• • Gender: Female
  • Age Range: 30 – 50
  • Description: A sharp, glamorous gossip-lover who prides herself on knowing everything. Witty and bold, with rising irritation as the lies pile up.

4. Lenny Ganz

• • Gender: Male
  • Age Range: 30 – 50
  • Description: Claire’s husband. High-strung, explosive, and sarcastically funny. Delivers one of the show’s most iconic monologues. Needs excellent pacing.

5. Ernie Cusack

• • Gender: Male
  • Age Range: 40 – 60
  • Description: A mild, polite psychiatrist trying to soothe everyone. Patient—until he isn’t. Breaks under pressure in hilarious ways.

6. Cookie Cusack

• • Gender: Female
  • Age Range: 40 – 60
  • Description: Ernie’s eccentric wife, a cooking-show host with unpredictable back spasms. Big comedic physicality required.

7. Glenn Cooper

• • Gender: Male
  • Age Range: 30 – 50
  • Description: A rising politician terrified of scandal. Charming but evasive. Desperately tries to maintain appearances.

8. Cassie Cooper

• • Gender: Female
  • Age Range: 30 – 50
  • Description: Glenn’s glamorous, jealous wife. Volatile, emotional, and confrontational. Strong stage presence needed.

9. Officer Welch

• • Gender: Male
  • Age Range: 40+
  • Description: Seasoned, direct, and suspicious. Arrives late in the play with an authoritative presence.

10. Officer Pudney

• • Gender: Female
  • Age Range: 20 – 40
  • Description: Welch’s partner. Few lines but contributes to the climactic investigation and comedic tension.