Auditions for Beau Jest to be held June 4 & 5

Redlands Footlighters will kick off our 73rd season by holding auditions for Beau Jest, by James Sherman, on June 4 and 5. Directed by Phillip Gabriel, auditions will be held both nights at 7:00 p.m. at the theater, located at 1810 Barton Road, in Redlands. Seeking 4 men and 2 women.

About the Show
Sarah is a nice Jewish girl with a problem: her parents want her married to a nice Jewish boy. She tells them she is dating a Jewish doctor and they insist on meeting him. Over the heated protests of her not-a-doctor boyfriend, she plans a dinner party and employs an escort service to send her a Jewish date-to-be. Instead, they send Bob Schroeder, an aspiring actor who agrees to perform the impersonation. Happily, he is extremely convincing in the role and Sarah’s parents, and Sarah, are enraptured.

Characters
From the director: “While some of the characters are Jewish and the play deals with Jewish themes, being Jewish is not a requirement for casting. In fact, I adhere to a color blind casting policy. So it doesn’t matter if you’re blue, green, purple, or any other hue – I cast for chemistry in a role.”

• Sarah (20s to 40s) female lead. — A successful school teacher who nonetheless does her best to please her parents and family. A tour de force for a lead actress combining elements of drama, broad comedy, and physical comedy.
• Chris (20s to 50s) Male supporting. — Sarah’s actual boyfriend at the start of the play. Successful ad executive. Great character role.
• Bob (20s to 40s) male lead. — An out-of-work actor hired to impersonate the successful Dr. Steinberg for Sarah’s parents. A tour de force for a lead actor combining drama physical comedy.
• Joel (20s to 50’s) male supporting. — Great character role. Sarah’s brother who also happens to be a therapis . Can you imagine your sibling trying to psychoanalyze you?!
• Miriam (50s to 7352) female supporting. — Sarah’s mother. A force of nature and the root of many of Sarah’s hang ups. A confident perhaps somewhat glamorous woman who is very much used to getting her own way. Not shrewish — think older Debbie Reynolds.
• Abe (50’s to 7252) male supporting. — Sarah’s father. Miriam’s husband. The corner stone of his family and sage observer of the mother and daughter relationship. A fantastic character role.

Auditions will consist of cold readings from the script. Come prepared with your theatrical credits and, if possible, a recent photo. There is no pay.