Encore Theatre Inc.
Author: John Cariani
Director: Helen Ellis
Genre: Comedy
Agent: By arrangement with Music Theatre International (Australasia) exclusive agent for Dramatist Play Service, Inc.
Synopsis
Meet the Smiths, the Johnsons, and the Joneses. They live in a nice little cul-de-sac. And they’re happy. Or at least trying to be. Over the course of a single spring day, the neighbouring couples confront the dead-end of their dreams and what happens when you pursue happiness… with a vengeance.
Characters
Characters Summary:
3F (30s-40s)
3M (30s-40s)
Characters Description:
JACKIE JONES: 30s. A winner. She and her husband, Joe, are the cul-de-sac’s gold standard - Everyone wants to be like them. Jackie is a little too nice, working hard to make things look perfect as her and Joe care for their twins and cover-up an explosive secret. All Jackie’s ever wanted is to raise her kids to adulthood.
JOE JONES: 30s. A winner. Jackie Jones’ husband. Joe believes that if you make your life look like you want it to be, it will become what you want it to be; he and Jackie inspire their neighbours to change.
DIANE JOHNSON: 30s-40s. Not a winner. Diane is a good neighbour, observant, and thoughtful. During the play, she finds herself questioning her life’s choices, trying to figure out her role in it at a moment of crisis.
BRIAN JOHNSON: 30s-40s. Not a winner. Diane Johnson’s husband. Brian is a good man. He’s been struggling in his job, looking for comfort from his wife whom he genuinely loves while trying to support her during her own moment of crisis.
CHRISTY SMITH: 30s. Used to be a winner - might be becoming a loser. Christy endured a traumatic episode a year ago and since then her life has been one of low self-esteem, pain, and emotional distance from her husband, Matt. Matt’s recovery after so long takes Christy by surprise, so she struggles with how to react to this change.
MATT SMITH: 30s. Used to be a winner - a loser. Christy Smith’s husband. Matt is fighting depression, getting out of bed for the first time since a traumatic episode a year ago. He is desperately trying to rekindle the flame with Christy so they can start to get back to where they used to be.
Precast Characters:
None
Audition Venue & Dates
Audition Dates and Times:
12:00am on:
Audition Enquiries Contact: ellisproductions@me.com
Performances
Season Dates: 8 Oct 2021 - 23 Oct 2021
Showtimes:
2:15pm on:
- Sun 10th Oct 2021
- Sun 17th Oct 2021
- Sat 23rd Oct 2021
8:00pm on:
- Fri 8th Oct 2021
- Sat 9th Oct 2021
- Fri 15th Oct 2021
- Sat 16th Oct 2021
- Thu 21st Oct 2021
- Fri 22nd Oct 2021
- Sat 23rd Oct 2021
More info
Other Information
Other Information:
All characters require a North American accent.
THE PLAY
Meet the Smiths, the Johnsons, and the Joneses. They live in a nice little cul-de-sac in a nice little state in a nice big country. And they’re happy. Or at least trying to be. cul-de-sac is a shocking comedy that explores the extreme measures people take to achieve their dreams, find happiness, or find their way to what they once were.
CONTACT
To express your interest in auditioning, please contact the director Helen Ellis on ellisproductions@me.com.
All auditionees must have read the play before their audition.
With Covid restrictions currently in place, auditions will be via self-tape, with a link to download/view sent to the director in the next 1-2 weeks. Please contact her via the above email address for more information.
SEASON DATES
8-23 October 2021 (10 performances)
PERFORMANCE VENUE:
Theatrette, Clayton Community Centre, 9-15 Cooke Street, Clayton VIC 3168
REHEARSALS
Rehearsals will be three times a week: Twice during the week on Tuesday and Thursday evenings, and once during the day on Sunday. A detailed breakdown of rehearsal dates and times will be finalised and supplied once casting is complete.
