The Walpole Footlighters is pleased to announce the cast for our next production, Lucky Stiff.

Harry Witherspoon: Francis Sheehan
Tony Hendon: Ben Medeiros
​Annabel Glick: Emily Loflin Murray
​Rita La Porta: Elaine Sheffield Bono
​Vincent De Ruzzio: Gary Ciambrone
Luigi Gaudi: Robert Grady
​Dominique Du Monaco: Caroline Phinney
Ensemble: Michael Allison, George Motley, Caroline Phinney, Juliana Small
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​Thank you to all who auditioned!

The Walpole Footlighters is pleased to announce our 2018-2019 season! We will kick off the season in September with a special event, Red Hot Patriot: The Kick-Ass Wit of Molly Ivins by Margaret Engel and Allison Engel, directed by Peter Bradley. Red Hot Patriot tells the story of the unsinkable Molly Ivins, the famously brassy newspaper columnist and best-selling author. A true Texas original, Ivins was a sharp-tongued wit who skewered the political establishment and the "good ol' boys" with her unforgettable humor and wisdom. Written by twin sisters, themselves longtime journalists, the play celebrates Ivins' courage and tenacity – even when a complacent America wasn't listening. Tickets are $20 and proceeds go to the Footlighters Scholarship Fund.

The official season opens in October with Flemming (An American Thriller) by Sam Bobrick, directed by Paul Campbell. Bored by his privileged, but mundane life, Henry Flemming sells his lucrative brokerage firm to become a detective. On his very first case, and to the horror of his wife, Karen, and his two crazy neighbors, Suzy and Stan, the Flemming living room begins to fill up with dead bodies. Karen is further annoyed when one of them turns out to be her father. Even though Henry keeps showing up at home every day more disheveled and beaten up, he couldn't be happier. Henry is convinced he's found his life's work and Westport, Connecticut is safer for it. The play is a spoof of thrillers from the 1940's and 50's.

Our season continues with The Mystery of Miz Arnette by Alan Bailey and Ronnie Claire Edwards, directed by Marianne Phinney. The Mystery of Miz Arnette is set in Oklahoma's devastating Dust Bowl. The time is 1934, when Baby Face Nelson and Pretty Boy Floyd along with their gangs roamed the territory. Out of the desolate nowhere arrives Miz Arnette to rent the room that had been advertised and leased four months ago. With the family farm at stake and desperate for the additional income, young Floy Kate strikes a deal and takes in the intriguing stranger that would forever change her life. 

We end the season with the Drama Desk nominee Adrift in Macao with book and lyrics by Christopher Durang and music by Peter Melnick, directed by Jonah LeDoux. Set in 1952 in Macao, China, Adrift in Macao is a loving parody of film noir movies. Everyone that comes to Macao is waiting for something, and though none of them know exactly what that is, they hang around to find out. The characters include standards like Laureena, the curvaceous blonde, who luckily bumps into Rick Shaw, the cynical surf and turf casino owner on her first night in town. She ends up getting a job singing in his night club – perhaps for no reason other than the fact that she looks great in a slinky dress. And don't forget about Mitch, the American who has just been framed for murder by the mysterious villain McGuffin. With songs and quips, puns and farcical shenanigans, this musical parody is bound to please audiences of all ages.

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The Walpole Footlighters Playhouse at 2 Scout Road in East Walpole, MA is seeking directors for our upcoming 2018 – 2019 season. Our comedy, FLEMMING (An American Thriller), by Sam Bobrick, will open in October, 2018, followed by our drama/mystery, THE MYSTERY OF MIZ ARNETTE, by Alan Bailey & Ronnie Claire Edwards, which will open in February, 2019. Our musical comedy, ADRIFT IN MACAO, by Christopher Durang and Peter Melnick, will be our May production.

The following is a synopsis of each show, as found on the Samuel French website.

FLEMMING (An American Thriller): By Sam Bobrick, is a full length (90 minutes), dark comedy, mystery/thriller, spoof that takes place in present day. Bored by his privileged, but mundane life, Henry Flemming sells his lucrative brokerage firm to become a detective. On his very first case, and to the horror of his wife Karen, and his two crazy neighbors, Suzy and Stan, the Flemming living room begins to fill up with dead bodies.  Karen is further annoyed when one of them turns out to be her father.  Even though Henry keeps showing up at home every day more disheveled and beaten up, he couldn’t be happier. Henry is convinced he’s found his life’s work and Westport Connecticut is safer for it. This play is a spoof of the film noir thrillers from the 1940’s and 50’s.

THE MYSTERY OF MIZ ARNETTE: By Alan Bailey & Ronnie Claire Edwards, is a full length (90 minutes) dramatic comedy whose time period is the 1930’s in Oklahoma’s devastating Dust Bowl.  The set is a farmhouse kitchen in Hardesty, Oklahoma. The time is 1934 when Baby Face Nelson and Pretty Boy Floyd along with their gangs roamed the territory. Out of the desolate nowhere arrives Miz Arnette to rent the room that had been advertised and leased four months ago. With the family farm at stake and desperate for the additional income, young Floy Kate strikes a deal and takes in the intriguing stranger that would forever change her life.

ADRIFT IN MACAO: By Christopher Durang & Peter Melnick, is a full length (90 minutes) musical comedy, spoof that takes place in 1952 Macao, China. This is a loving parody of film noir movies. Everyone that comes to Macao is waiting for something, and though none of them know exactly what that is, they hang around to find out.  The characters include your film noir standards, like Laureena, the curvaceous blonde, who luckily bumps into Rick Shaw, the cynical surf and turf casino owner her first night in town.  She ends up getting a job singing in his night club – perhaps for no reason other than the fact that she looks great in a slinky dress.  And don’t forget about Mitch, the American who has just been framed for the murder by the mysterious villain McGuffin.
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If you are interested in directing for our 2018 – 2019 season, please send your resume to Christine Grudinskas at [email protected]. The Play Reading Committee will be conducting interviews in January, 2018.

Auditions for Lucky Stiff​ with book and lyrics by Lynn Ahrens, music by Stephen Flaherty, will be Sunday, January 14th at 3 PM at Walpole Footlighters, 2 Scout Rd, East Walpole, MA. Audition slots are 3-4:30 or 4:30-6.  Please sign up for a 90-minute slot by e-mailing Peter McElhinney, Assistant Director/Stage Manager, at [email protected]. Callbacks (only if necessary) will be Monday, January 15th at 7 PM.

Audition Info:

• Prepare 32 bars of a musical theatre song that showcases your range, personality, and comedic abilities.
• You may sing something from Lucky Stiff (no sheet music needed).
• If you want to sing something else, please bring your sheet music.
• A pianist will be provided; no a cappella singing or recorded karaoke tracks.
• There will be a brief dance audition, so please wear comfortable clothes.
• There will also be cold readings from the script.
• Please bring a list of all conflicts from February – May to add to audition sheet. 

 
Rehearsals: Rehearsals to begin in February.  They will be Tuesday and Thursday nights; Sunday afternoons (pending final cast availability)
 
Performances: May 4, 5, 11, 12, 18, 19 at 8:00 pm; May 6, 20 at 2:00 pm
Production Team:
Director - Dan Delaporta
Assistant Director/Stage Manager - Peter McElhinney
Music Director - Dan Moore
Choreographer - Lisa Kelleher

About the show
Looking for a versatile comedic ensemble cast who can have a blast creating a musical farce.  If you’re unfamiliar with the show, think “Weekend at Bernie’s” – the musical.  The score is fantastic and it’s the first produced show from the Tony Award-winning writing team (Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Flaherty's) behind Ragtime, Seussical, Once on this Island, and most recently Anastasia.  There’s plenty of content from show out there on YouTube.
Based on the novel, The Man Who Broke the Bank at Monte Carlo by Michael Butterworth, Lucky Stiff is an offbeat, hilarious murder mystery farce, complete with mistaken identities, six million bucks in diamonds and a corpse in a wheelchair. The story revolves around an unassuming English shoe salesman who is forced to take the embalmed body of his recently murdered uncle on a vacation to Monte Carlo. Should he succeed in passing his uncle off as alive, Harry Witherspoon stands to inherit $6,000,000. If not, the money goes to the Universal Dog Home of Brooklyn... or else his uncle's gun-toting ex!

If you want to learn more about the show or have any questions, please contact the director Dan Delaporta ([email protected]).

Character Breakdown:
 
All age ranges approximate – it’s all about if you can believably play that range (with costumes and make up)
 
HARRY WITHERSPOON - A shy, sweet, earnest, insecure, but ultimately charming shoe salesman from England.  He likes to play it safe, feels incapable of taking risks, and steps outside of his comfort zone to head to Monte Carlo to honor his uncle’s last wishes (and potentially inherit $6 million).  Male, British accent, 20s-40s; Range: Bb2 - F#4
 
ANNABEL GLICK - A no-nonsense representative for the Universal Dog Home of Brooklyn. She is a proactive citizen with what seems to an overly attentive, semi-aggressive personality (but it comes from passion for the cause, so she’s still likeable - think Sarah in Guys & Dolls).  She becomes the unexpected love interest of Harry Witherspoon. Female, 20s-40s; Range: F#3 - E5
 
DOMINIQUE DU MONACO - A seductive French nightclub singer in Monte Carlo with a memorable dance number.  Will also play Spinster, Southern Lady #2, and Dancing Roulette Wheel.  Female, 20s-30s .
 
LUIGI GAUDI / VOICE OF TONY HENDON (on tape) - Luigi is a mysterious, boisterous Italian tourist in Monte Carlo who wears a beard and an eye patch. Tony is Rita's lover from New Jersey. Male, 30s-50s.  Range: B2 - F#4
 
RITA LA PORTA - Vinnie's high-strung sister with poor eyesight.  Impulsive, loud, erratic.  Think Karen from Will & Grace or Fran Drescher in The Nanny as potential examples of where to take role with character voice.  Female, 30s-40s.  Range: F#3 - D5
 
VINNIE DI RUZZIO - Rita's neurotic and mild-mannered brother who is dragged into her mess and is forced to travel to Monte Carlo. He is an optometrist with predictably conservative tendencies. Gets an amazing comedic solo!  Male, 30s –40s; Range: A#2 - F#4
 
THE BODY OF UNCLE ANTHONY – The dead guy, who has been preserved.  Think Bernie in Weekend at Bernie’s.  The body of a man believed to be "Uncle Anthony," who Harry brings with him on a very special trip.  Potential for hilarious physical comedy by playing dead in wheelchair throughout show.  Male, late 40s-60s; Non-Speaking Role (so huge plus - no lines to learn!)
 
ENSEMBLE:
Not your typical show, and not your typical ensemble roles!  A huge opportunity to cast strong triple threat character actors to create multiple different quirky and hilarious characters – when else will you get to play so many different types of characters in the same show?  Casting at least 2 men and 1 woman.

MAN 1 - Surly Lorry Driver, Solicitor, Prosperous Man on Train, Clothing Salesman, French Emcee, Croupier, Nun, Old Texan; age range flexible
MAN 2 - Offstage Telegram Deliverer, Vicious Punk, Mr. Loomis the Eye Patient, French Waiter on Train, Stationmaster's Voice (taped), Bellhop, French Waiter in Club, Dapper Gambler, Leper; age range flexible
WOMAN 1 - Landlady, Miss Thorsby the Secretary, Puerto Rican Nurse, Southern Lady #1, French Airline Voice (taped), Drunken Maid; age range flexible

The Walpole Footlighters are pleased to announce the cast of Radium Girls by D. W. Gregory:

​Ashley Harmon:  Grace Fryer
Finley Smith:   Kathryn Schaub, Society woman, Harriet, Shopgirl, Board Member #1
Cynthia Small: Irene, Miss Wiley, Board Member #2, Mrs. Michaels
Ninette Cummings:  Sob Sister, MacNeil, Clerk, Mrs. Fryer, Elderly Widow
Shelley Wood:  Mrs. Roeder, Mme Curie, Customer, Board Member #3
Mark Adams:  Arthur Roeder
Woody Farrick: Lee, Bailey, Drinker, Lovesick Cowboy, Male Shopper, Court
Paul Campbell: Berry, Martland, Flinn, Store Owner
Joe Rich: Tom, Reporter, Knef, Venecine Salesman
George Motley: Markley, Von Sochocky, Photographer

​Thank you to all who auditioned!

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The Walpole Footlighters are pleased to announce auditions for their winter production of Radium Girls by D.W. Gregory, directed by Marianne Phinney, on Sunday and Monday, October 22 and 23, at 7:30 PM at the Footlighters Playhouse, 2 Scout Road, East Walpole, Mass. Callbacks, if needed, will be on Tuesday, October 24 at 7:30 PM.
 
Auditions will consist of cold readings from the script. Show dates are February 2, 3, 9, 10, 16, and 17 at 8:00 PM and February 11 and 18 at 2:00 PM. Rehearsals are tentatively scheduled for Sundays, Tuesday, and Thursdays.
 
The cast calls for 4 to 5 men and 5 women.  Additional actors may be cast as appropriate.
 
Go to Signup Genius to select an audition time: http://www.signupgenius.com/go/30E0F4CAEA729AB9-auditions
 
Summary:
 
In 1926, radium was a miracle cure, Madame Curie an international celebrity, and luminous watches the latest rage—until the girls who painted them began to fall ill with a mysterious disease. Inspired by a true story, Radium Girls traces the efforts of Grace Fryer, a dial painter, as she fights for her day in court. Her chief adversary is her former employer, Arthur Roeder, an idealistic man who cannot bring himself to believe that the same element that shrinks tumors could have anything to do with the terrifying rash of illnesses among his employees. As the case goes on, however, Grace finds herself battling not just with the U.S. Radium Corporation, but with her own family and friends, who fear that her campaign for justice will backfire. Written with warmth and humor, Radium Girls is a fast-moving, highly theatrical ensemble piece for 9 to 10 actors, who play more than 30 parts—friends, co-workers, lovers, relatives, attorneys, scientists, consumer advocates, and myriad interested bystanders. Called a "powerful" and "engrossing" drama by critics, Radium Girls offers a wry, unflinching look at the peculiarly American obsessions with health, wealth, and the commercialization of science.
 
Please direct any questions to [email protected] or to director Marianne Phinney at [email protected].
 
The main characters are:
 
Grace Fryer, a dial painter. Age 15 at the start of the play, 26 at the close
Katheryn Schaub, a dial painter, Grace Fryer’s friend
Irene Rudolph, Katheryn’s cousin
Sob Sister (Nancy Jane Harlan), a tabloid reporter for the New York Graphic
Katherine Wiley, executive director, New York Consumer’s League
Arthur Roeder, President of the U.S. Radium Corporation
C.B. “Charlie” Lee, Vice president, later President of U.S. Radium Corp
Tom Kreider, Grace’s boyfriend
Edward Markley, Counsel for U.S. Radium Corporation
Dr. Von Sochocky, founder of U.S. Radium Corporation, inventor of luminous paint
 
All actors except those playing Grace Fryer and Arthur Roeder will play multiple roles and members of the public.

The Walpole Footlighters are proud to announce the cast for The Savannah Sipping Society:

Randa: Cindy Bell
Dot: Kay Blaha
Marlafaye: Cindy Wegel
Jinx: Barbara Schapiro

Thank you to all who auditioned!

The Walpole Footlighters are pleased to announce auditions for our fall play, The Savannah Sipping Society by Jessie Jones, Nicholas Hope, and Jamie Wooten, directed by Barbara Pettis.  Auditions will take place on Thursday, June 22nd at 7:00 p.m., Sunday, June 25th at 6:00 p.m., with call backs if needed on Monday, June 26th at 7:00 p.m. at the Footlighters Playhouse at 2 Scout Road, East Walpole, MA.

Auditions will consist of readings from the script and a monologue. Bring a prepared monologue (not from the play) or one will be provided.

Rehearsals will start in late August and will be 3 nights a week. Show dates are October 20, 21, 27, 28, November 3, 4 at 8:00 p.m. and October 29, November 5 at 2:00 p.m.

The cast consists of four women (southern/western) ages 50 to 70. 

Plot Summary:

In this delightful, laugh-a-minute comedy, four unique Southern women, all needing to escape the sameness of their day-to-day routines, are drawn together by Fate —and an impromptu happy hour —and decide it's high time to reclaim the enthusiasm for life they'’ve lost through the years. Over the course of six months, filled with laughter, hilarious misadventures, and the occasional liquid refreshment, these middle-aged women successfully bond and find the confidence to jumpstart their new lives. Together, they discover lasting friendships and a renewed determination to live in the moment —and most importantly, realize it's never too late to make new old friends.

Roles:

Randa Covington: A perfectionist and workaholic, is struggling to cope with a surprise career derailment that, unfortunately, reveals that she has no life and no idea how to get one.

Dot Haigler: Still reeling from her husband’'s recent demise and the loss of their plans for an idyllic retirement, faces the unsettling prospect of starting a new life from scratch in a new town, and all alone.

Marlafaye Mosley: Earthy and boisterous, a good ol’ Texas gal, has blasted into Savannah in the wake of
losing her husband to a twenty-three-year-old dental hygienist. The strength of her desire to establish a new life is equaled only by her desire to wreak a righteous revenge on her ex. 

Jinx Jenkins: Also new to town, a spunky ball of fire, offers her services as a much-needed life coach for these women. However, blinded by her determination and efforts to get their lives on track, she over-looks the fact that she’'s the one most in need of sage advice.
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If you have any questions, please contact [email protected] or the director at (508) 528-9134.

For all auditions, please bring a headshot and resume, if possible.  Please download and complete our audition form or come prepared to fill out the form before the audition starts, including scheduling conflicts.