ANNOUNCING AUDITIONS
March 1st and 2nd at 6pm
Directed by Christopher Roquemore
About the Story:
It’s 1950, and new colors are being added to the Red Scare. Two U.S. State Department employees, Bob and Norma, have been tasked with identifying sexual deviants within their ranks. There’s just one problem: Both Bob and Norma are gay, and have married each other’s partners as a carefully constructed cover. Inspired by the true story of the earliest stirrings of the American gay rights movement, madcap classic sitcom-style laughs give way to provocative drama as two “All-American” couples are forced to stare down the closet door.
“[A] clever canapé of a comedy... Mr. Payne is a deft and witty writer.” – The New York Times
“The best thing about Topher Payne’s fabulous Perfect Arrangement is its pitch-perfect capture of the 1950s comic voice, and its application to the dreadfully serious drama.” – DC Theatre Scene
“Usually a playwright has to choose between writing a laugh-out-loud comedy and a very serious drama. Topher Payne has written both with Perfect Arrangement.” – TheaterMania
“As hiding gets harder, pitch-perfect comedy ensues: slamming doors, strange disguises, preposterous excuses... Eventually, the four must decide whether face-saving domestic lies are worth it, or whether ostracism beats living in fear. In our own era of surveillance and paranoia, their mid-century problems don’t feel so far away.” – The New Yorker
CHARACTER LISTING
Bob Martindale: (30s 40s) A WWII veteran, reserved. A bit bookish, but a solid man's man. Good-humored and well-mannered.
Millie Martindale: (late 20s- 30s) Bob's wife. Plays "the ditzy wife" when people are in the house, but actually very quick-witted and observant. Smart enough to maintain the act.
Norma Baxter: (30s) The knowing, efficient, classy dame. A secretary at the State Department who could just as easily be Secretary of State. A wise woman who's great with a wisecrack and level-headed in a bind.
Jim Baxter: (20s- 30s) Norma's husband. A prankster type, always ready with a comeback. A hish school teacher with lots of energy. A little wired, good with a plan.
Theodore Sunderson: (40s- 50s) The boss. Bombastic, loud, a bit overbearing. A patriotic windbag.
Kitty Sunderson: (40s) Ted's wife. Legitimately ditzy. Her brain seems to work on a totally different wavelength than the rest of the world. Very sweet, and very genuine. Just doesn't quite "get it."
Barbara Grant: (40s) A formidable opponent. No-nonsense, beautiful, brilliant, and a little scary.
A note from the Director
Auditions will consist of sides from the script (see below). Actors should bring all known conflicts for March 13- May 10. Resumé is optional. No prepared monologue is required.
Please plan to stay at least an hour, as we may want you to read other parts and or scenes.
Please wear comfortable clothing that you can easily move in.
Please come on Sunday if possible so we can focus Monday on callbacks.
If these dates don’t work, please contact the Playhouse (info@cloverdaleplayhouse.org) and we can arrange other audition times or auditions via zoom.
**ACTORS SHOULD BE AWARE THAT THERE ARE SEVERAL ROLES THAT REQUIRE KISSING.
Please note that the Cloverdale Playhouse takes stage intimacy very seriously and we do have protocols in place. Know that if you were to be cast in our production that there will be an intimacy coordinator for the blocking of these scenes.
We can’t wait to see everyone March 1st!
About the Schedule:
Perfect Arrangement rehearsals begin Monday, March 16, at the Cloverdale Playhouse.
No weekend rehearsals
All rehearsals run 6:30–9:30 PM.
NOT interested in being onstage, but ready to be part of the Playhouse team?
We couldn't put a show on the stage without our volunteer crew members! They help create our costumes, sets, and props, as well as help with opening night receptions, answer phones, and sell tickets.
Let us know what you'd like to try! Some people help daily, some monthly, and others just one show per year.
We respect your schedule, and truly appreciate your time.
To get involved, please email volunteer@cloverdaleplayhouse.org.
Come and play with us!
Upcoming auditions are posted approximately 8 weeks before the production opens.
Check back often for audition info!
