Theatre Charlotte holds auditions and crew sign-up for
“Walking Across Egypt” adapted by Reid Leonard
From the novel by Clyde Edgerton
November 18 and 19, 2007, 7:00 PM

Charlotte NC – “Walking Across Egypt” adapted by Reid Leonard from the novel by Clyde Edgerton is the third Mainstage production in their 80^th Anniversary Season.  Auditions and crew sign-up will be held November 18 and 19 at 7:00 PM, at Theatre Charlotte, 501 Queens Rd, Charlotte NC, 28207.  The play will be directed by Dennis Delamar.  Dennis has been acting and directing at Theatre Charlotte since 1983.  At Theatre Charlotte he has directed “Lend me a Tenor” and “Rumors”, and has appeared in such shows as “Evita”, “Present Laughter”, “Damn Yankees”, “The Music Man” and “Sweeney Todd”.  Around the Metrolina area he has acted and directed at, CPCC, Actor’s Theatre of Charlotte, Belmont Abbey Players, and Children’s Theatre of Charlotte.  Delamar won this year’s MTA award for best director of Actor’s Theatre’s production of “I Am My Own Wife”.

Based on the novel by the author of the best-selling Raney, this hilarious and heart-warming story is set in a small North Carolina town where seventy-eight-year-old widow Mattie Rigsby plans her own funeral so as not to be a burden; supports the local Baptist church and entertains herself with hymns at the parlor piano.  She tries not to meddle in her children’s lives, though she does wish they would marry, as she longs for grandchildren.  Then along comes a run-away teenage delinquent, Welsey, who was raised in an orphanage until he graduated to a house of detention.  Much to the surprise of her children, neighbors and friends, Welsey becomes the grandson that Mattie doesn’t have.

Crew members are needed to run lights and sound, gather props, help build the set, and work backstage.

Auditionees will be asked to read from the script, and if you can, (it is not necessary), prepare a little bit of a church song of your choosing to sing acappella.

 the show runs:
January 31, February 1, 2, 7, 8, 9, at 8:00 PM, & February 3 & 10 at 2:30 PM.

CHARACTER BREAKDOWN

Speaking roles:  7 females, 10 males

1 male, 1 female.....approximately 16 or 17 years old or believable as that age

5 females...... mid 30's - late 70's

9 males......  mid 20's -   60's

May use a few other men and women to sing in the choir, especially folks who enjoy singing church music.

FEMALES:

Mattie Rigsbee....in her 70's (or an actress who is believably in her 70's); must be able to learn many lines;   she "carries" the show; has a couple of physical bits too;  able to play a few hymns on the piano and to sing along is a plus (but playing isn't a requirement); wise, old school, knows her Bible, honest, loving, witty, tough, and a fantastic cook

Pearl......Mattie's sister, two years older than Mattie.    Good sense of humor; a tough sister.  Tells it like it is to her sister and everyone else.  Conceals a dill seed jar in her purse. She secretly dips snuff.  We love Pearl.

Alora...... (40-60's) the nosey neighbor, married to Fenner (carries a pistol in her purse to protect her from rapists); Remember Gladys Cravitz on BEWITCHED?   But our Alora is Southern.   We love Alora even though she can get on our last nerve.

Elaine.....(mid 30's-40)  Unmarried daughter of Mattie; wonder if she'll ever  slow down enough in her work to seek a husband....or if that even matters to her?      intelligent; tries to be the voice of reason for her mother; but has lost some of the joy in her life and also some of the understanding of a senior family member; she's ready to start checking out  nursing homes for Mama.  Important and satisfying role for a skillful actress. 

Beatrice..... (40's to 60's)    One of those women in charge, oh so proper, at the Baptist Church who takes care of everyone else's business over the phone.  Of course all her deeds and motivations are in the name of the Lord, Christianity.  She does have a tendancy for judging her fellow brothers and sisters; not as good hearted a gossip as Alora and someone who isn't on Mattie's "favorites" list.  A know it all; a plotter.  Great character role.  The letter B comes to mind, but that's all we'll say about Mz Beatrice.

Laurie.....(mid 30's)    Robert's girlfriend; experiences a meal at Mattie's with lots of people; she's just getting to  know everyone...asks lots of questions; we wonder will she be the future Mrs. Robert Rigsbee, Mattie's daughter in law. 

Patricia.... (about 16)   Wesley's girlfriend; good hearted; a little too much makeup; attracted to that "bad boy" image; teen romantic; probably capable of a curse word or two if called upon

MALES:

Lamar -  (mid 20's - 40)  Dogcatcher; bachelor;  Wesley's uncle; can fix things around the house, a jack of all trades;  a really nice guy; takes an interest in Mattie when she calls him to come pick up a stray dog at her back door, especially loves her cooking

Wesley- (around 16, or believably can play that age)  Principal role.  Lamar is his only known living relative.  He's nice looking in a rough sort of way;   bad boy but with great goodness inside; curses; smokes; steals; loves Mattie's cooking and wonders somehow if she might be his grandma.  Loves taking a bubble bath in her tub.  Clearly he needs someone like Mattie in his life.

Finner- (40-60)  an actor that will match  Alora in age; the neighbor couple;   he's a bit of a curmudgeon;  humorous;  ready to get his shotgun if he senses trouble next door; like Alora, he's good at heart but can be a pill

Mr. Crosley- (30's - 60)   funeral home director;  serves chocolate cake to the customers picking out their caskets; possibly a slight rasp in his voice; the attitude of comfort and kindness usually found in a funeral home director; can go a variety of ways with this role

Robert - (mid 30's - early 40's)   Mattie's bachelor son; works at a convenience store;   hasn't settled down yet, been looking for the right girl...but apparently not that hard; still is in and out of Mama's house for meals every now and then;  not very happy his mother has taken in a "stray" teen.  A skeptic.  Practical. Closer to Mama than sister Elaine.

Clarence (30's - 60's)   Church deacon.   Has authority in front of a congregation.

Dodson Clark (20's - 50's) Church usher.

Sheriff Tillman (30's - 50's)   Small town sheriff in NC; not quite as cool as Andy, but not a bad guy.  Also loves Mattie's cooking.

Deputy Hollis (20's - 30's)   Sheriff's right hand man.   The light bulb is about 20 watts as opposed to 75. Pleasant.

Winston  (47...or someone believable as 47...script is specific)   Small but fun role.  Funny moment at the end of the play; he's dating Elaine....a sleepover  maybe?