Miracle on Christmas Lake Audition Notice

MIRACLE ON CHRISTMAS LAKE by Jessica Peterson

A Minnesota story full of Minnesota references and sentiments – with a lot of down-home comedy and humorous physical antics.

Directed by Greta Grosch.

SETTING: Christmas Lake. A tiny Minnesota town where everybody knows everybody and everybody eats lutefisk.

TIME & PLACE: The present. The entire play takes place over the course of 24 hours on stage of Christmas Lake Community Theatre. The set is dressed for a production of It’s a Wonderful Life.

SYNOPSIS: Soap opera star Colin Avery returns to his home town to take over the Community Theater after his father dies. His “city” wife comes along for the ride. They find the theater on the verge of bankruptcy and decide to produce a show. On the eve of opening night, they learn they have lost the rights to perform their holiday play. As they race to come up with an alternate show and save the theater, hilarity ensues.

References: NOISES OFF, IT’S A WONDERFUL LIFE, SCHITT’S CREEK - with a hint of DAYS OF OUR LIVES…

CHARACTERS

CAST SIZE: Two (2) Male presenting, Three (3) or Four (4) Female presenting

Note: While the author has indicated specific age ranges, the play represents three different generations and specific age ranges are flexible.

Colin: 20’s-30’s: Former soap opera actor originally from the area.

Tess: 20’s-30’s: Colin’s city wife, she is 3 months pregnant and is here reluctantly. Plays an instrument, possibly guitar. (flexible)

Martha: 30’s-40’s: Stereotypical Minnesota, she went to school with Neil and loves tator tots. She has a lizard named Katherine. She plays an instrument, possibly saxophone (flexible)

Neil: 30’s-40’s: Local piano tuner and Martha’s long-lost love interest. He loves “Little House on the Prairie.”

Gloria: 50’s+: Colin’s mom. (Can be played by the same actress playing Mrs. Burlington.)

Mrs. Burlington: 50’s+: Patron of the arts. (Can be played by the same actress playing Gloria.)

NOTES:

CHARACTER PORTRYAL: While these characters are based on stereotypes, they are real people, struggling with real issues. Honest (yet heightened) portrayals make for more interesting storytelling.

ACCENTS: Script indicates the characters of Martha, Neil and Gloria must have genuine Minnesota dialects. Emphasis on genuine.

INSTRUMENTS: There is some flexibility, so don’t let the requirement stop you from auditioning.

PHYSICAL COMEDY: The show requires strong physical comedians.

DATES:

AUDTION DATES:

Monday, July 20 and Tuesday, July 21: 6-9PM

Callbacks Wednesday, July 22: 6-9PM

Rehearsals start Oct 26. Rehearsals M-F 6:30-9:30 with extended rehearsal times during tech / dress.

Show opens Dec 10.

WHAT TO PREPARE:

FOR AUDITIONS:

*Please prepare a memorized 1 min comic monologue of your choice.

*Also choose and prepare one of the attached sides. (No need to memorize)
https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1HLRg-y_C_7kM5goawOMUV3QJjmImy9VQ?usp=sharing

FOR CALLBACKS:

*Actors will be called in groups and will be reading sides from the script.

*Actors may also be asked to sing / play their instrument of choice, and will be doing some physical comedy improvisational work

REVIEWS

"Peterson’s script has the rat-a-tat rhythms of a classic sitcom. …the incontinence-inducing laughter was unlike anything I’ve heard inside a theater in recent memory.”– Dominic Papatola, St. Paul Pioneer Press

“The brilliance of [Miracle on Christmas Lake] lies in just how well it plays to its audience….from the belly laughs coming from the crowd, we could tell that playwright Jessica Lind Peterson knows her target audience…Peterson’s characters charmed the pants off her audience, many of whom had to wipe away tears of laughter.” – Aisle Say Twin Cities

“Funny, silly & entertaining!...This wacky, sweet, ridiculous little play is chock full of Minnesota references and ridiculous humor! ”— Cherry and Spoon