Malvern Theatre Co. Inc.
Author: Jeremy Kareken & David Murrell and Gordon Farrell
Director: Deborah Fabbro
Genre: Comedy
Agent: Dramatists Play Service, Inc
Synopsis
Just how negotiable is a fact? Jim Fingal is a fresh-out-of-Harvard fact-checker for a prominent, but sinking New York magazine. John D’Agata is a promising writer with a transcendent story on the suicide of a teenage boy – an essay that could save the magazine from collapse.
When the demanding editor-in-chief assigns the pedantic Jim to fact-check the story, the lines between journalistic integrity and artistic license begin to blur, and the three of them end up in an intense and funny high-stakes showdown. Based on the true story of John D’Agata’s essay ‘What Happened There?’, this fast-paced comedy of deliberate errors asks an age-old question: Why let the truth get in the way of a good story?
Characters
Characters Summary:
Jim Fingal, male, aged mid 20s.
John D’Agata, male, aged 40s – 60s.
Emily Penrose, female, aged 40 – 60s.
Characters Description:
Jim Fingal
Male, aged mid 20s. Fact checker. Smart, earnest, well-intentioned and tireless. He does things to the letter of the law and is driven by rules, protocols, and facts. He has a confidence that he draws from knowledge and facts.
John D’Agata
Male, aged aged 40s – 60s. One of the world’s greatest living essayists. Feels highly intelligent and often frustrated by lack of “vision” in others. Considers his work to be perfection and without need of editorial oversight. He doesn’t suffer fools and values beauty and creativity above all else.
Emily Penrose
Female, aged aged 40 – 60s. Editor-in-Chief for a high profile Manhattan magazine. Her great ambition is to achieve cultural relevance and commercial success. She’s relentless in her professional pursuits, it’s all or nothing. Yet can be a voice of reason.
Ages are indicative and approximate only. An actor’s true age may be different from the age of the character, if they look and sound right for the part. Please do not hesitate to audition because you are uncertain about the suitability of your age.
Generic American accents required.
Precast Characters:
None
Audition Venue & Dates
Audition Dates and Times:
12:00pm on:
7:30pm on:
Audition Venue Name: Malvern Theatre
Audition Venue Address:
29 Burke Rd, Malvern East, VIC, 3145
Audition Enquiries Contact: Deborah Fabbro | orbbaf@ozemail.com.au | 0416 141 838
Performances
Season Dates: 16 Feb 2024 - 2 Mar 2024
Showtimes:
2:00pm on:
- Sat 17th Feb 2024
- Sun 25th Feb 2024
- Sat 2nd Mar 2024
8:00pm on:
- Fri 16th Feb 2024
- Sat 17th Feb 2024
- Wed 21st Feb 2024
- Thu 22nd Feb 2024
- Fri 23rd Feb 2024
- Sat 24th Feb 2024
- Wed 28th Feb 2024
- Thu 29th Feb 2024
- Fri 1st Mar 2024
- Sat 2nd Mar 2024
More info
Other Information
Other Information:
It is necessary that you are familiar with the play and should know it well enough to be able to describe the “story”. A copy of the script is available from the director.
Auditions are strictly by appointment and will be held at 15 minute intervals. Auditions will involve reading from specified sections of the script. There is no need to memorise anything for the audition. Please arrive at least 10 minutes early to review the audition pieces.
Successful cast members MUST BE available for rehearsals and all production dates. Rehearsals will be held on Tuesday evenings from 7:30pm – 9:30pm, Thursday evenings from 7:30pm – 9:30pm and Sunday afternoons from 1:00pm – 4:00pm. The first read through will be on 5 December 2023 with rehearsals commencing thereafter. As this is an ensemble piece, all actors will be required to attend the majority of rehearsals.
Please check you are available for all performance dates before booking your audition time. Please also inform the Director at your audition, if there is a possibility of you taking on professional acting work that may conflict with rehearsal and performance dates.
You will be required to submit a resume and headshot prior to the audition via our online audition form which will be sent out prior to your audition.
If you are successful, you will be required to become a member of the Malvern Theatre Company, if you are not already and abide by our Association Rules & Policies.
Trigger warning: references to teenage suicide.
