Tryouts scheduled for new VWCT play

Van Wert Civic Theatre information

At last, a Michael Parker farce returns to the Van Wert Civic Theatre stage!  Audiences will surely remember previous Michael Parker shows, including Hotbed Hotel, The Amorous Ambassador and Sin, Sex and the CIA. Parker has a unique talent for creating memorable characters that leave audiences aching with laughter.

Open auditions for Never Kiss a Naughty Nanny, the first show of VWCT’s 2015-2016 season, will be held on Sunday, August 16, and Monday, August 17, at 7 p.m. at the theatre, 118 S. Race St. in Van Wert. No previous experience is required. Volunteers at VWCT have been producing shows for nearly 60 years and are always excited to see new faces.

VWCT is a community theatre, meaning its shows are produced using local, non-paid actors. The organization welcomes everyone to become a part of its goal: to produce a quality, affordable live theatre experience to the public. To learn more about VWCT and its upcoming season visit its website at www.vwct.org.

The plot of Never Kiss a Naughty Nanny centers on Mr. Broadbent, a developer and builder, who has created “The House of the Future.” The house, however, has remained unsold for four years, probably because, as we see in the course of the play, most of the innovations of the future fail to work properly. Broadbent has, at last, found two prospective buyers, Fred and Gladys McNicoll, and invites them to stay in the house. He is determined to offload this huge “white elephant” by any means necessary.

The cast calls for four males and three females. Ages listed are approximations and can be adjusted.

Play characters (and age range) are as follows:

• Ben Adams (21-30) — a real estate salesman employed by Mr. Broadbent; young, naive, likable, always confused and in trouble, but honest and sincere
• Mr. Broadbent (50-70) — very much a self-made man; blunt, rough around the edges
• Casey Cody (20-30) — Mr. Broadbent’s secretary; competent, resourceful and quick thinking, with a wonderful sense of humor
• Sue Johnson (20-25) — a recent graduate of the local culinary institute; a walking, breathing, living disaster; loveable, laughable and endearing
• Mr. Cott (40+) — the central character in the play, and he, of course, is Nanny; down to earth, gruff, but very, very funny
• Gladys McNicoll (40+) — the prospective buyer of the house of the future; totally dominates her husband, and indeed all those around her; loud, aggressive, and overbearing
• Fred McNicoll (40+) — the hen-pecked husband of Gladys, until he turns the table on her at the very end of the play; meek, mild, and good-natured,
• Walter Brooks (40+) — a surprise visitor; develops an almost insane infatuation for Nanny, and will not be discouraged; single-minded and not very likable.