Elgin Theatre Company to hold auditions for 'Suite Surrender'

The Elgin Theatre Company will hold auditions for its production of "Suite Surrender" by Michael McKeever. It will be the second production of ETC's 2019-20 season.

Auditions will be held from 1 to 4 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 29, and 7 to 9:30 p.m. Monday, Sept. 30, at the First United Methodist Church, 216 E Highland Ave., Elgin. No appointment is needed. Possible callbacks, if needed, will be held on Wednesday Oct. 2, from 7 to 9:30 p.m.

This is an open call. Auditioning will take place for all roles; no prior experience necessary. Be prepared to present a 1-minute comedic monologue.

Be prepared to stay for cold readings of the script until dismissed. And bring a listing of all scheduling conflicts.

A read-through will be held from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 8. Regular rehearsals will begin in November. It will be held on Sunday afternoons/evenings with two evening rehearsals a week, usually Tuesdays and Thursdays. Rehearsals will not be held on holidays.

The tech rehearsals will be Friday, Jan. 17, from 6:30 to 10:30 p.m.; Saturday, Jan. 18, time TBD; Sunday, Jan. 19, from 1 to 6 p.m., with a break; Monday, Jan. 20, from 6:30 to 10:30 p.m.; possibly Tuesday, Jan. 21; Wednesday, Jan. 22, from 6:30 to 10:30 p.m.; and Thursday, Jan. 23, from 6:30 to 10:30 p.m.

Pickup rehearsals will be Wednesdays, Jan. 29, and Feb. 5, from 7 to 9:30 p.m.

Most rehearsals will be at First United Methodist Church of Elgin, 216 Highland Ave., Elgin. Occasionally they will be at the director's home in Palatine. Tech rehearsals will be held at the Elgin Art Showcase, 164 Division St., 8th floor, Elgin.

Performances of "Suite Surrender" will be held Jan. 24-26, 31, Feb. 1-2, 7-9. Friday and Saturday performances start at 8 p.m. and Sunday performances start at 2 p.m. at the Elgin Art Showcase, 164 Division St., 8th floor, Elgin.

In the play, it's 1942, and two of Hollywood's biggest divas have descended upon the luxurious Palm Beach Royale Hotel - assistants, luggage, and legendary feud with one another in tow. Everything seems to be in order for their wartime performance. That is, until they are somehow assigned to the same suite. Mistaken identities, overblown egos, double-entendres, and a lap dog named Mr. Boodles round out this hilarious riot of a love note to the classic farces of the 1930s and '40s.

The cast of "Suite Surrender" contains four male and five female characters. The ages listed below are of the characters, but the actors do not have to be those exact ages.

• Bernard S. Dunlap: General manager of the Palm Beach Royale Hotel & Spa. Physical comedy/strength - must be able to carry a fellow actor. (male, 40s to 50s)

• Claudia McFadden: America's beloved matron of song. Diva. Larger than life. Elegantly-dressed tornado. Sings. (female, 40s to 50s)

• Athena Sinclair: A great star of stage and screen. Diva. Hollywood royalty/screen siren. Sings. (female, 40s to 50s)

• Murphy Stevens: Athena's personal secretary. Young, pretty, efficient. Romantic scenes. (female, 20s to 30s)

• Mr. Pippet: Claudia's personal secretary. Jumpy. Must be comfortable working with a dog on stage. Physical comedy/strength - must be able to carry a fellow actor. (male, 20s to 50s)

• Dora Del Rio: A gossip columnist. Quintessential reporter. Physical comedy. Must be comfortable being lifted, and falling. (female, 30s to 50s)

• Mrs. Everett P. Osgood: A society matron and president of the Palm Beach Ladies for Unity. Matronly, stylish, busybody, a bit daft. (female, 50-plus)

• Francis: A bellhop. Physical comedy. Romantic scenes. (male, 20s to 40s)

• Otis: A bellhop. Physical comedy. (male, 20s to 40s)

Note: Actors will be asked to help however they can with costumes, props, and set pieces.

For information, contact ETC board president Richard Grieger, at dgremax@gmail.com or (847) 338-0506.

"Suite Surrender" is produced by special arrangement with Playscripts Inc.

This production is funded in part by a grant from the Illinois Arts Council Agency.

Visit www.elgin-theatre.org or follow Elgin Theatre Co. v2.0 on Facebook.