THE BACKLOT PLAYERS

2008-2009 Season 

September 2008

Greater Tuna

Jaston Williams, Joe Sears and Ed Howard.  Comedy.  2 men. 

What do Arles Struvie, Thurston Wheelis, Aunt Pearl, Petey Fisk, Phineas Blye and Rev. Spikes have in common?  In this hilarious send-up of small town morals and mores, they are all among the upstanding citizens of Tuna, Texas’ third smallest town.  The long-running Broadway hit features two actors creating the entire population of Tuna in a tour de farce of quick change artistry, changing costumes and characterizations faster than a jack rabbit.  Two actors, twenty characters and a barrel of laughs, y’all.

Auditions: July 7 & 8, 2008 at 7:00 p.m. at the Rose Theater.

Show Dates: Sept. 4, 5, 6, 7, 11, 12, 13, 2008.

November 2008

Oliver

Lional Bart.  Musical.  4 men, 4 women, 2 boys, 15—30 children & extras.

“Oliver” is the musical based on the Dickens novel.  It was first presented in London, where it played for 2, 618 performances.  It played for 774 performances on Broadway, and has been revived several times.  There’s Oliver, Fagin, Nancy, Bill Sikes and the Artful Dodger along with many other colorful characters, and many outstanding musical numbers.

Auditions:  Aug. 18 & 19, 2008 at 7:00 p.m. at the Rose Theater.

Show Dates: Nov. 13, 14, 15, 16, 20, 21, 22, 2008

  February, 2009

Angel Street (Gaslight)

Patrick Hamilton.  Drama.  2 men, 3 women, 2 extras. 

A Broadway hit first produced in London under the title “Gaslight” and filmed twice, “Angel Street” tells the story of the Manninghams who live on Angel Street in the 19th century.  It is soon apparent that Mr. Manningham, a suavely sinister and handsome man, is slowly torturing his gentle, devoted wife, Bella, into insanity under the guise of kindness.  The author builds up some of the most brilliant suspense in the modern theater.  The secret of the dimming gaslight and the mystery of the hidden rubies will captivate all.

Auditions: Dec. 1 & 2, 2008  at 7:00 p.m. at the Rose Theater.

Show Dates: Feb. 12, 13, 14, 15, 19, 20, 21, 2009

April-May, 2009

Radio Gals

Mike Craver and Mark Hardwick.  Musical Comedy.  3 men, 4 women, or 1 man, 6 women.

In the twenties when radio ruled the airwaves and small stations thrived, music teacher Hazel C. Hunt received a transmitter as a retirement gift and station WGAL was born in Cedar Rapids, Arkansas.  A wacky quintet of singer/musicians gather daily in her parlor to set hearts thumping and toes tapping with rib tickling songs, homey chat and plugs for a rejuvenating tonic that owes its kick to the still out back.  Twenty-one original songs performed with thematic props produce the zany hilarity you expect from the creators of “Pump Boys and Dinettes” and “Smoke on the Mountain”.

Auditions: Feb. 16 & 17, 2009 at 7:00 p.m. at the Rose Theater.

Show Dates: April 23, 24, 25, 26, 30, May 1, 2, 2009

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