MCC's Black Box Theatre to hold auditions for spring production

The Black Box Theatre at McHenry County College will hold auditions for their spring production of Noel Coward's witty and hysterical play "Present Laughter," directed by Angie Kells.

At the center of his own universe sits matinee idol Garry Essendine: suave, hedonistic, and too old, says his wife, to be having numerous affairs. His line in harmless, infatuated debutantes is largely tolerated but playing closer to home is not. Just before he escapes on tour to Africa, the full extent of his misdemeanors is discovered - and all hell breaks loose.

Noel Coward's "Present Laughter" premiered in the early years of the Second World War just as such privileged lives were threatened with fundamental social change.

There are roles for 11 actors of all genders. Roles include Garry Essendine, a self-obsessed famous London actor; Liz Essendine, Garry's stylish and poised wife; Morris Dixon, Garry's theatrical manager and friend; Henry Lyppiatt, Garry's longtime producer and friend; Joanna Lyppiatt, the confident, glamorous wife of Henry; Monica Reed, Garry's tolerant secretary and confidante; Daphne Stillington, a pretty debutante and ardent admirer of Garry; Roland Maule, an earnest, aspiring playwright who is an obsessed fan of Garry; Fred, Garry's easygoing, unrefined valet; Miss Erikson, Garry's chain-smoking housekeeper; and Lady Saltburn, a wealthy aristocrat.

Auditions will be held from 6-8 p.m. Monday and Tuesday, Dec. 11-12, in the Black Box Theatre at McHenry County College.

Callbacks will be held on Thursday, Dec. 14 from 6 to 10 p.m. Please prepare a two-minute comic monologue with a British accent. At callbacks, actors will read from the script.

Rehearsals will begin on Wednesday, Jan. 17. It will be held every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 6 to 9:30 p.m.

Performances will be March 8-10,15-17, and 22-24.

To sign up for an audition and learn more details about each role, visit www.mchenry.edu/blackbox.

The Black Box Theatre at McHenry County College is located at 8900 Route 14 in Crystal Lake. Please park in Lot C and enter Building E. The theatre will be directly to your right.

For more information, contact Jay Geller at jgeller@mchenry.edu.