Auditions for “Last Night of Ballyhoo” by Alfred Uhry
Greenwood Little Theatre is thrilled to announce upcoming auditions for our final production of the 23/24 season, "Last Night of Ballyhoo" by the renowned playwright Alfred Uhry. Under the direction of Forrest Hodge, whose credits include successful shows like "Driving Miss Daisy," "Crimes of the Heart," "On Golden Pond," and "The Butler Did It," this promises to be an exciting journey into the world of theatre.
Audition Details:
Dates: April 1 at 6pm-8pm and April 2 at 6pm-8pm
Location: Old City Hall, 103 East Market Street, Greenwood, Mississippi
The Story: The play is set in the upper class German-Jewish community living in Atlanta, Georgia in December 1939. Hitler has recently conquered Poland, Gone with the Wind is about to premiere, and Adolph Freitag (owner of the Dixie Bedding Company), his sister Boo, and sister-in-law Reba, along with nieces Lala and Sunny– a Jewish family so highly assimilated they have a Christmas tree in the front parlor – are looking forward to Ballyhoo, a lavish cotillion ball sponsored by their restrictive country club.
Adolph's employee Joe Farkas is an attractive eligible bachelor and an Eastern European Jew, familiar with prejudice but unable to fathom its existence within his own religious community. His presence prompts college student Sunny to examine intra-ethnic bias, her Jewish identity (or lack thereof), and the beliefs with which she's been raised.
List of Characters:
Boo Levy - (Mid 50s) Widowed mother of Lala and elder sister of Adolf. Social status is very important to her and she does her best to keep up appearances. Looks more German than Jewish. Deep Southern American accent.
Lala Levy - (Mid 20s) Boo’s only daughter. Lala has dreams of grandeur but is very anxious and awkward. She struggles with her Jewish identity and her social status. Classic Jewish features. Deep Southern American accent.
Reba Freitag - (Late 40s-Early 50s) Sister-in-law to Adolph and Boo and loving mother to Sunny. Reba is sweet and simple, but also more shrewd than others give her credit for. Deep Southern American accent.
Sunny Freitag - (Early to Mid 20s) Daughter of Reba, Niece to Adolph and Boo, and cousin to Lala. A junior at Wellesley College, she is practical and smart, but unaware of what her heritage means in a global sense. Looks more German than Jewish. Deep Southern American accent.
Adolph Freitag - (Late 40s- Mid 50s) Middle-aged businessman. Brother to Boo and Brother-in-law to Reba. Adores Sunny, but has little tolerance for Lala. Adolph is a kind soul, who understands the good impact Joe can have on the family. Deep Southern American accent.
Joe Farkas - (Mid 20s to Early 30s) Hard working, Jewish employee of Adolph Freitag and intellectual match to Sunny. Challenges the family to examine their ideas of identity. Very proud of his Eastern European heritage. Somewhat lost in the world of Southern customs. Brooklyn accent.
Peachy Weil - (Mid 20s to Late 30s) Son of a high society family from Lake Charles, Louisiana. Finds a match in Lala, both in vanity and ignorance. Known for his obnoxious behavior and outspokenness. You would never know he is Jewish. Deep Southern American accent.
Performances: May 31, June 1, and June 2, 2024, at the Davis Auditorium, 400 Cotton St., Greenwood, Mississippi.
About Alfred Uhry: A Southern storyteller with a Pulitzer Prize for Drama to his name, Alfred Uhry is celebrated for his exploration of Southern culture and history. Best known for "Driving Miss Daisy," Uhry's unique style captures the essence of the region, blending humor and drama seamlessly.
How to Audition: If you're passionate about theatre and ready to bring these characters to life, join us at the auditions on April 1 and 2 at Old City Hall. No prior experience required; just bring your enthusiasm and love for the craft.
For more information and to express your interest, contact us at info@greenwoodlittletheatre.com. We look forward to seeing you at auditions and creating another memorable production together!
Break a leg!