AUDITION INFORMATION: The Butler Did It

The Butler Did It

by Tim Kelly

Directed by Don Smith

Casting: 5 Male, 5 Female

AUDITION DATES/ADDITIONAL INFORMATION 

Wednesday, April 6th starting at 7pm

Sunday, April 10th, starting at 12pm*

*This date may be used for some call backs as well as initial auditions. The director will not necessarily call back all of those who are being considered for roles.

Auditions will consist of readings from the scripts in various combinations of actors.

Please plan on reading more than once.

Audition sides will be provided at the auditions.

No monologue or other pre-prepared audition piece is required.

Resumes and headshots are not required, but are welcomed. Forms will be available at the time of the auditions for personal and contact information.

Lyric Music Theater welcomes both experienced and inexperienced actors. We try and make our auditions as relaxing and fun as possible.

Email the Director, Don Smith, at dsmith38@maine.rr.com with any questions about the production or auditions.

Audition Location

Lyric Music Theater

176 Sawyer Street

South Portland, Maine 04106

From the Director

This comedy parodies every English play ever written, but with a decidedly American flair. Miss Maple, a dowager with a reputation for clever weekend parties, invites a group of detective writers to eerie Ravenswood Manor where they are to impersonate their fictional characters. When a real murder takes place, laughs and thrills begin as the writers begin a zany search for the killer.

Performance Dates and Times

June 17, 18, 24 & 25 - Fridays and Saturdays 8:00 p.m.

June 19 & 26 - Sunday Matinees 2:30 p.m.

Character Summary

Haversham – age 20s-30s - A young maid and an ex-convict; a mousey creature cursed with the sniffles

Rita Eyeslesbarrow – age 30s–50s - A Social Secretary and Miss Maple’s companion

Miss Maple – age 50s or older – A well-known society hostess; a commanding dowager with a lively sense of adventure

Father White – age 60s or older – A mystery writer; his manner is slightly doddering

Chandler Marlow – age 30s-50s – A mystery writer; a tough “private eye” type

Louie Fan – age 30s-60s – A mystery writer with a bad “accent;” speaks staccato fashion

Rick Carlyle – age late 20s-40s – A mystery writer; debonair society man

Laura Carlyle – age late 20s – 40s – A mystery writer; debonair society wife

Peter Flimsey – age 30s-60s – A mystery writer; the very model of a proper English gentleman

Charity Haze – age 20s-30s – A mystery writer; an incredibly capable and attractive young woman

Show update: RENT

It's been almost a month since the cast of RENT began rehearsal, and what a long way the show has come! There are many parts that make a show come to life, and each one is getting all the attention it needs to bring the show to life.

In just a few short weeks, the cast has nearly memorized all of the music, dialogue, and blocking for the entire show. Director Michael Donovan and music director Bekkah Willey have given the cast all the basic guides they need. Having that in place, the cast members are working on developing deeper characters and emotions. For those who are unfamiliar with the show, the leads as well as the ensemble are playing characters who are homeless, drug addicts, homosexuals, afflicted with AIDS, living in poverty, or any combination of the above. The struggles of their characters may be similar to their own or to someone they know. And dealing with such modern and realistic struggles is a challenge for many cast members. But so far, they are doing a great job expressing the pain and hardships the show calls for. They have three weeks to experiment with these character traits and will no doubt have them polished for opening night.

The multi-level set is being used nightly and just needs a few finishing touches to  give the show as a whole more character. RENT takes place in various city locations, including an apartment building, at pay phones, on the street, and in a cafe. The stage itself is very limited, so the multiple levels help to create a sense of disconnection when needed. The unique decoration of the set also helps set the tone of the show by providing a sort of visual character to the audience.

Costumes are being pulled together to give each character their own identity.  As many of the ensemble members are playing several different characters, it is important to make sure each character is distinguishable. But costumes do so much more than just clothe the actors. Some of them find inspiration from their costumes and find them helpful in developing their characters.

In the next few weeks before opening night, lots of additions will be made to the show as a whole. The cast will have time to get accustomed to the set, lights and costumes will be added, and they will have some rehearsals with a full band (as they are currently working with one musician, music director Bekkah Willey on the keyboard). The cast and crew have put in a lot of work already, but still have quite a bit to do before opening night on February 18th!


Tickets for RENT are on-sale now, and are selling very quickly! Show dates and times are:

Friday, February 18th, 8pm

Saturday, February 19th, 8pm

Sunday, February 20th, 2:30pm

Friday, February 25th, 8pm

Saturday, February 26th, 8pm

Sunday, February 27th, 2:30pm

Friday, March 4th, 8pm

Saturday, March 5th, 8pm

All seats are $20 and can be purchased online, by phone at (207) 799-1421, or via email. More information as well as box office hours and show times can be found on the Lyric Music Theater website.