Hamilton County Theatre Guild’s The Belfry Theatre announces auditions for its first show of the 2022-23 theater season, Rehearsal for Murder.
Auditions will be 7 to 9 p.m. June 26 and 27 at Noblesville First United Methodist Church, 2051 Monument St.
The show, adapted by D.D. Brooke from the teleplay by Richard Levinson and William Link, is directed by Diane W Wilson of Carmel and stage managed by Fran Knapp of Noblesville.
Synopsis: A year following the untimely death of a famous onscreen actress and an up-and-coming Broadway star, a famous playwright (and the former fiancé of the star) assembles all those who last interacted with the actress under the pretense of reading excerpts from a new play he is writing. Even though the actress’s death was ruled as a suicide, the playwright believes otherwise, and he plans to prove it and trap a killer as the scenes from his new play come to life.
The Years: 1980 (opening night of the comedy Chamber Music by Alex Dennison, the after party, and the death of Monica Welles) and 1981 (exactly one year after the opening and Monica’s death)
The Settings: A Broadway Stage and Monica Wells’ study
The 15 Players (and stage ages)
- Alex Dennison: A playwright in his late 40s to mid-50s, Alex is handsome, debonair, witty, intelligent, and willing to do just about anything to trap the killer of his beloved fiancée.
- Monica Welles: The famous and beautiful film actress, fiancée of Alex, and victim, Monica is “brought to life” through flashbacks in order to help Alex trap her killer. Cast as the lead (her first time on stage) in Dennison’s comedy Chamber Music, she was in her early- to mid-40s when she met her early demise.
- Lloyd Andrews: The play’s director for the 1980 show Chamber Music (and the last time Monica was on stage), Lloyd is at the very least in his early 40s. He is handsome, no-nonsense, and he has an excellent reputation.
- Bella Lamb: The play’s producer for the 1980 show Chamber Music (and the last time Monica was on stage), Bella is bright, extremely wealthy, and sophisticated. She is in her late 40s to early 60s.
- Karen Daniels: Merely an up-and-coming Broadway actress in 1980, Karen is now a sought-after star. She was Monica’s understudy a year prior in Chamber Music, but she quickly reached her way to the top. Karen is in her mid- to late 30s; she is beautiful and no longer the innocent ingénue she was.
- David Mathews: A tall, popular, and handsome Broadway actor, David is also very smug and full of himself, believing that every woman worships him. He approaches each show with the belief that he’ll have to dust off his fireplace mantle for another Tony. He had played lead in Chamber Music, opposite Monica. David is in his mid-40s to early 50s.
- Leo Gibbs: A supporting Broadway actor, Leo is in his mid- to late 40s; he isn’t particularly charming or attractive, but he is slightly overweight. He has always view himself as the comic relief. Yet, he doesn’t let his “lower” status upset him. He, too, was in Chamber Music.
- Sally Bean: Alex’s new assistant/secretary from Maine. She is young (18 to 22), energetic, bright but naïve, and very excited to help Alex with his new play.
- Ernie: The gruff, no-nonsense backstage theatre manager who reveres Alex and was genuinely fond of Monica. He is in his mid-50s to late 60s.
- Loretta: The play’s stage manager for Chamber Music (and the last time Monica was on stage). Loretta is in her mid-40s to mid-60s and is very efficient and determined.
- Policeman: One of NY’s finest in his late 30s to early 50s; he assists in the investigation of Monica’s death.
- Policewoman: One of NY’s finest in her late 20s to mid-50s; she assists in the investigation of Monica’s death.
- Santoro: The delivery man who brings in Monica’s Study – set up exactly as it was on the day of her death and perfect for a re-enactment – he can be any age (20+ to 60).
- Frank Heller: An observer in Act One to everything occurring on-stage during the present and “flashbacks” Frank, however, intervenes in Act Two, at first portraying Lieutenant McElroy, the detective who closed the Monica Welles’ case, and then himself. Frank, who is in his late 30s to early 40s, is a jack-of-all-trades: actor (often out of work), bartender, cab driver, etc.
- Mac: An observer to everything that is happening on-stage during the present and “flashbacks.” During the last portions of Act Two, he joins in the action. He is in his 50s.
Note: Ernie & Santoro, as well as the policeman and Mac may be doubled. In addition, Loretta and the policewoman may be doubled.
Auditions
- Dates: Sunday, June 26 and Monday, June 27
- Time: 7 to 9 p.m. day date; you may attend both nights, if you wish
- Place: Noblesville First UMC, 2051 Monument St. Use East entrance.
- Call-backs, if needed: Wednesday, June 29.
Rehearsal schedule
- Read-through and Begin Blocking: Week of July 11
- No Rehearsals: Aug. 19 to Sept. 6
- Move-in and Tech: Sunday, Sept. 18
Everyone must be present for Tech week (Sept. 18-22) and obviously for the show
All rehearsals (excluding Tech week) will be held in Carmel.
Show times
- Friday, Sept. 23, 8 p.m.
- Saturday, Sept. 24, 2 p.m.
- Saturday, Sept. 24, 8 p.m.
- Sunday, Sept. 25, 2 p.m.
- Friday, Sept. 30, 8 p.m.
- Saturday, Oct. 1, 2 p.m.
- Saturday, Oct. 1, 8 p.m.
- Sunday, Oct. 2, 2 p.m.
For information, email the director at diane@wandwdestinations.com or go to thebelfrytheatre.com.