Auditions for Randy Manning Podcast - REVISED WITH SIDES

This is Randy Manning and I'm working on a new project.

 

It's kinda like a radio play, (actually, a podcast).  In other words, it's a play with voices only, that'll be available from the Jest website. www.ShirleyUJest.com    (It will advertise Jest Mysteries.)

 

It will be recorded near Soulard.

 

I've never done this before, so I really don't know how everything will work.  (We'll have to learn as we go.)

 

The premise:  A "Company Holiday Party Committee" is meeting, and they are trying to decide what to use for entertainment.  Of course, in the end, they decide on "Jest Mysteries", (what are the odds!)

 

Although I don't know what I'm doing exactly, it'll be fun!  We'll get together one evening and create.  I'll buy the pizza and soda, and anyone who does a character will get either a Jest Mysteries hat or t-shirt, and a copy of the final product.

 

I am casting this by auditions.  ...and the auditions are really easy. 

 

If you're interested…choose what character(s) you want to try out for, call my office number, (618-281-9439), and read the pieces below, in character, on the answering machine.  (Don't forget to leave your name and contact info.)  I'll listen to all of them and try to make some decisions on Friday, (9-14-07).

 

The Characters are generally all "over the top".

(I'm especially looking for someone to do a good "Bogey".

 

Bill – Committee chairman.  In the beginning, he's tired of it all.  Later in the play, he's excited.

 

Clarisse – A gum chewing Brooklyn girl, nail filing, blonde. 

 

Jim – Quick witted, sarcastic, funny.  He's probably the smartest guy in the room.

 

John  -  Eager to do things by the letter of the law.  He's very "anal".

 

Geraldine -  Smoker.  She smokes.  Did I mention she smokes?

 

Pat  -  Level headed.  Maybe she's the most normal person in the room?

 

Steve  -  He's "out of it".  An ex-pothead?

 

Mr. Shlibitzen  -  Founder of the company.  Pompous.   Talks down to people.

 

Christy -  Innocent.  Childlike?  She's like Georgette on the old Mary Tyler Moore show.

 

Sam Spade -  A detective out of a film noir.  Humphrey Bogart?  Columbo? 

 

Sides:

 

Christy  -  Not really.  They hired this guy, ummmmm, (struggles for name)  Randy Manning of (struggles for company), Jest Mysteries!  I think that's it?  They came to where the party was.  They gave everyone a part.  I was Shirley U Jest.  And then we all performed a play where someone gets killed, in a funny way, then we all tried to figure out who did the killing!  Everyone was a suspect!  Even me!  But it's not really as much about the mystery as it is about the funny.  The actors were hilarious, but they made the people at the party the "stars of the show"!

 

Steve  -  I'm not sure.  Usually I have a gift for discerning dogs.  I got that from my Aunt.  She could look at a dog and tell the difference from 100 yards away.  125 yards by smell.  You shoulda' seen her nose.

 

Pat  -  Just so it's not my dog.  Pumpkin better be at home and not out roaming the neighborhood.  Perhaps if my husband would walk her once in a while, the she wouldn't feel the need to…

 

Geraldine  -  I had a dog once.  It used to cough a lot.  You know they say dogs look like their owners.  Well Hacker didn't look like me, but we sure did sound a like.  We both…..

 

Jim  -  Oh yeah.  Different dog.  Different dog all the way.  I had a dog kind like that one.  Mine would fetch.  But he got to poking his canines in the can and the beer would spew all over.  Had to have him put down after that.  No good can come from a dog that….

 

John  -  Sounds like a short haired dog.  They have a more precise bark.  Except for your Beagle/Bassets.  They've kinda let their bark go.  If you know what I mean.  I'm sure if one of them were here right now, they would agree with me.  It's a…..

 

Clarisse  -  My landlord let's me keep one small pet.  If it doesn't make a mess.  If he never smells it.  If I pay my rent on time.  Ha.  Like that's ever a problem.  Why would I ever be late when the rent is so low?  It's almost too low.  How can Sid, I mean Mr. Shlibitzen, afford to have such low rent?  You know what I think?

 

Sam Spade -      It was a dark and stormy night.  (thunder)  Ok.  It was Friday morning at the Shlibitzen Manufacturing Company.  (birds chirping)  They had a problem.  (bird chirps in a surprised way)  A big problem and they needed help.  The kinda help that a tall leggy blonde who just lost her husband might not know what to ask for.

 

Mr. Schlibitzen  -  Good!  Good!  I know you kids are just gonna make it boffo this year!  Just thought I'd let you know I have been working on my speech.  It's going to be a real humdinger!  I thought this year I might open with a joke.  But then I want to spend some time "gettin' real with the people". 

 

Bill  -  Yeah.  I'd like to call this puppy to order.  (heavy sigh)  I hereby call the meeting of the Schlibitzen Manufacturing Company Holiday Party Planning Committee to order.  Clarisse?  Would you read the minutes from the last meeting.  (tired of John)  Yes John.  Why do you have your hand raised?

 

If you know someone who might be interested, would you forward this to them?  Thanks.

 

If you have questions, you can email me at

scapegoat@jestmurdermystery.com

 

 

Thanks!

Randy Manning