(CLIFTON, NJ) -- The Theater League of Clifton will hold auditions for its main stage production of “The Musical Comedy Murders of 1940” on August 22-23 (Thursday and Friday) from 7:00pm-9:00pm at the Living Hope Presbyterian Church, 303 Maplewood Ave., Clifton (one block from Valley Road). The first rehearsal is slated for either August 28th or 29th.
For those actors unable to attend the audition dates, email the Theater League (theaterleagueofclifton@gmail.com) to express interest in being part of the production.
Maren Sugarman will direct the show. She directed recent Theater League productions of “Murder on the Menu,” “Man of La Mancha” and “Oliver.” John Traier and Prashant Arora are the co-producers of the show. John Bishop is the playwright. Mark Peterson is the president of the Theater League.
(LEFT) Maren Sugarman (RIGHT) Prashant Arora and John Traier
Synopsis of the play: Two years ago, three chorus girls were murdered by the “Stage Door Slasher,” during the run of “Manhattan Holiday,” on Broadway. Elsa Von Grossenknueten, assisted by NYPD Detective, Michael Kelly, reunite the creative team (producer, director, composer, librettist) of “Manhattan Holiday” for a backer’s audition of a new Broadway Musical at Elsa’s Westchester mansion, on a snowy December night.
Their plan: to discover the identity of the person who murdered Elsa’s friend, Bebe McAllister. Along with an ingénue dancer, a comedian, and Irish tenor (is that what they are?), and a German maid (or is she?), they are all plunged into a night of murder, mayhem, secret passageways, and espionage. Can Elsa and Kelly discover the identity of the Stage Door Slasher? Is there a Nazi spy at large? Exactly how many Helsa’s are there? Suspense and hilarity go hand in hand in this murder mystery/comedy.
he cast includes 10 actors: four females, five males, and one non-specific role. Sugarman pointed out that, despite the title of the production, the show is not a musical. However, certain characters must sing during the performance, and these characters are denoted below with an asterisk*. For those performers planning to audition for one of these roles should be prepared to sing a short song, unaccompanied.
Helsa Wenzel (gender non-specific, 20s-30s): The German maid. Murder victim, and yet... Seemingly innocuous, actually devious and dangerous. Must be small in stature and physically adept.
Elsa Von Grossenkneuten (female, 40s-60): The Wealthy patron of the theatre, with “espionage in her blood.” Hostess for the backer’s audition, with an ulterior motive for bringing everyone to her house on this cold December evening. She must find out who killed her friend, Bebe McAllister during the run of “Manhattan Holiday,” two years ago.
Michael Kelly (Black male, 30s-50s): The New York City Police Detective. Poses as Elsa’s “chauffer,” and “butler,” but is really on the trail of a serial killer. He and Elsa are partners in their pursuit of justice.
Patrick O’Reilly* (male, 30s-50): The Irish tenor. Or is he? Classic Prussian, Aryan type: tall, blonde (or light brown hair), blue-eyed, fencing scar (that doesn’t have to be real). Is he the jovial Irishman he claims to be, or a Nazi spy? Or…?
Ken De La Maize (male, 40s-60): The Director. Directed “Manhattan Holiday.” Director of many Hollywood films with fabulous stars… none that have been released. A Hollywood suit and a Hollywood tan. Looking forward to his return to Broadway.
Nikki Crandall* (female, 20s-early 30s): An actor hired for the backer’s audition. She’s an ingénue type, who identifies as a dancer. But is she? Decidedly fearless, and on some kind of mission.
Eddie McCuen* (male, 20s-30s): The Comedian: hired for the backer’s audition. He’s very much like a young, struggling Bob Hope. Humor is his main weapon. He would rather not be the hero, but stuff happens…
Marjorie Braverstock (female 50s-?): The Producer. Produced “Manhattan Holiday.” Eccentric, Grande Dame of the theatre. Murdered at the end of Act I.
Roger Hopewell* (male, 50s-60s): The Composer. Composed the music for “Manhattan Holiday.” A combination of Noel Coward, Stephen Sondheim, Cole Porter, and Richard Rodgers.
Bernice Roth (female, 40s-60s): The Librettist. Wrote the book and lyrics for “Manhattan Holiday.” Bizarre character, dresses like a bohemian with many, many “bangles.” She might like alcohol too much. Perhaps it’s what “preserves” her.
The show will be held in the newly renovated Clifton School No. 3 auditorium, 365 Washington Ave. in Clifton. Performances are slated for October 25-27 and November 1-3. Friday and Saturday shows start at 7:30pm, while the two Sunday matinees begin at 2:30pm. The show is presented by special arrangement with Broadway Licensing, LLC, servicing the Dramatists Play Service collection.
Visit the Theater League website for more information. Founded in 2005, the Theater League of Clifton is a non-profit community organization dedicated to fostering an appreciation of the arts through theatrical performances, while providing quality entertainment for all ages. The Theater League of Clifton welcomes volunteers in all aspects of performance and production.
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