Theatre Palisades has announced audition dates for Beau Jest. This delightful comedy will begin rehearsals November 20 and will open January 12 and run weekends through February 18. Auditions will be held at Pierson Playhouse, 941 Temescal Canyon Road
The play is about Sarah, a nice Jewish girl with a small problem: her parents want her married to a nice Jewish boy.
Her current boyfriend is a WASP executive named Chris Kringle.
Sarah tells her parents she is dating a Jewish doctor and they insist on meeting him. Over Chris’ heated protests, Sarah employs an escort service to send her a Jewish date to be Dr. Steinberg. Instead, they send Bob Schroeder, an aspiring actor who agrees to perform the impersonation.
Auditions will be held from 7 to 9:30 p.m. on Monday and Tuesday, November 13 and 14. Callbacks will be from 7 to 9:30 p.m. on Wednesday, November 15.
Initial auditions will consist of a one- to two-minute contemporary, comedy monologue of choice. Those auditioning are asked to be familiar with the play. Callbacks will involve cold readings from the script.
The director noted: “While some of these characters are Jewish and the play deals with Jewish themes, being Jewish is not a requirement for casting. I cast for chemistry in a role.”
Sarah, Female, Mid 20’s to early 40’s
A successful schoolteacher 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, Male, Mid 20’s to early 40’s
Sarah’s actual boyfriend at the start of the play. Successful ad executive. Great character role.
Bob, Male, Mid 20’s to early 40’s
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 with physical comedy.
Joel, Male, 30’s to 40’s
Great character role. Sarah’s brother who also happens to be a therapist. Can you imagine your sibling trying to psychoanalyze you?
Miriam, Female, Mid 50’s to 60’s
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.
Abe, Male, Mid 50’s to 60’s
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.