In Brief | Arts 8-30-13

Waimea theater
group sets auditions

Auditions for upcoming productions are the news from Waimea Community Theatre, with a planned reading and a popular drama topping the list.

The company will present “The Odd Couple” by Neil Simon as a staged reading at 3 and 7 p.m. Sept. 14 at St. James Episcopal Church in Waimea. Auditions for the reading will be held at 5 p.m. Monday and Tuesday in the group’s Lalamilo Farm Lots office/rehearsal space at 66-1250 Lalamilo Farm Road, located above Tropical Dreams Ice Cream. The reading will require only a few rehearsals and offers a chance to participate in a live theater performance without an extensive background and without a large investment of time. Adult male and female roles are available in the play. Prospective participants can contact the director Elsbeth McKeen at 864-3399 for more information or for alternative audition times.

The group also will hold open auditions for its fall production, “Dark of the Moon” by Howard Richardson and William Berney at 6 p.m. Sept. 22 and 23 at the Lalamilo Farm Lots office. This play, which opened on Broadway in 1945, and has been presented worldwide, as well as in countless community theater and college performances, has provoked its own share of controversy. WCT will present the play at Parker School Theatre on Friday and Saturday evenings and Sunday afternoons from Nov. 8 to 17.

Based on a dark Appalachian folk tale, it recounts the story of beautiful Barbara Allen and a mountain witch boy who falls in love with her. Granted his wish to become human and wed Barbara Allen, but only if she is faithful to him for a year, the witch boy and his bride struggle to lead a simple life in the Smokey Mountains. But with local prejudices and religious opposition the situation becomes increasingly complicated for them.

The play is not a musical but contains a number of songs, and may include dancing. Twenty-five roles are available for men and women of all ages as townsfolk, preachers, musicians, witches and spirits. Auditioners will read from the script and sing songs from the play; all materials will be provided. Prospective actors should dress comfortably for the audition, which may involve movement or dance. Prior experience is always helpful but not required. For more information or alternative audition times,call the director Stephen Green at 217-5979 or visit waimeacommunitytheatre.org.