Essendon Theatre Co.
VDL Awards Entry: 2021
Author: Charles Busch
Director: Christopher Hill & Dawn Hinrichsen
Genre: Comedy
Agent: Origin Theatrical on Behalf of Samuel French LTD
Synopsis
Surf’s up, and murder’s afoot, as “Psycho Beach Party” mashes up ’50s psychodramas, ’60s surfer films and ’80s slasher horror flicks into a truly madcap comedy. Think Gidget meet’s Mommie Dearest! It’s 1962 and teenage tomboy Chicklet Forrest desperately wants to be a part of the surfer crowd on Malibu Beach. The one thing getting in her way, however, is her unfortunate tendency towards multiple personalities … and her most dangerous alter ego — voracious vixen Ann Bowman — has nothing less than world domination on her mind! Hilarity ensues as mischief, madness and the passionate pursuit of the perfect wave come crashing over the heads of the audience as beach blankets and Hitchcockian psychological suspense thrillers are tossed around in this rollicking, zany comedy.
Characters
Characters Summary:
2F, 6M, 2 M or F (2 roles possibly performed in Drag)
Characters Description:
Californian or Standard American accent Required for all roles
CHICKLET FORREST: Female (This role can be played by a drag performer or a female actress), 18 - 32. Needs to be believable as a 15-year-old girl (perky, tomboyish) AND as alter ego ANN BOWEN (sexy, dangerous, dominatrix).
MRS FORREST: Female (To be played by a drag performer), 25-45. Chicklet's mum, strong personality; think Joan Crawford on crack; her moral convictions may be a little too strong.
BERDINE: Female, 18-32. Chicklet's long-time best friend; nerdy, rational, prude; big reader and journals frequently.
STAR CAT: Male, 18-32. The handsomer leader of the beach gang; failed psych student, idealist, dreamer.
THE GREAT KANAKA: Male, 20-40. Older than the rest of the beach gang, their idol; quintessential “cool guy” Fonz-esque, surf legend.
MARVEL-ANNE: Female, 18-32. Blonde, bitchy and “friends” with Chicklet and Berdine, she’s the sexiest and most popular girl in high school.
BETTINA BARNES: Female (Can be played by a drag performer or a female actress), 30-42. Glamorous B-grade horror movie star in hiding, with a Marilyn Monroe vibe, who just wants to be taken seriously.
PROVOLONEY: Male, 18-32. Teenage/college age surfer guy; goofy, fun loving. Best friends with Yo-Yo.
YO-YO: Male, 18-32. Teenage/ college age surfer guy; fun loving, less macho than the other guys and secretly in love with his best friend Provoloney.
NICKY: Male, 18-32. Teenage/ college age surfer guy: goofy and fun, minor role.
Audition Venue & Dates
Audition Dates and Times:
2:00pm on:
7:00pm on:
Audition Enquiries Contact: Christopher Hill at topherhills@gmail.com
Performances
Season Dates: 18 Mar 2021 - 27 Mar 2021
Showtimes:
2:00pm on:
8:00pm on:
- Thu 18th Mar 2021
- Fri 19th Mar 2021
- Sat 20th Mar 2021
- Thu 25th Mar 2021
- Fri 26th Mar 2021
- Sat 27th Mar 2021
More info
Other Information
Other Information:
This an absurdist, camp comedy piece so we are looking for actors who can bring high energy and their comedy skills in. For inspiration as to the style, there are clips from the film “Psycho Beach Party” on YouTube. As this production is set on Malibu beach, we are also looking for actors who are comfortable with being on stage in swimwear. If you are looking at auditioning for the roles of Provoloney, Yo-Yo or Starcat, you will also need to be comfortable with kissing another male actor on stage.
We would love to give opportunities to, and cast established drag performers in some roles, if possible. However, we are open to casting actors who are keen to try out drag on stage.
Successful cast members MUST BE available for rehearsal period as well as all production dates. Please check you are available for all performance dates before booking your audition time.
ETC is a community theatre company and, as such, no cast or crew are paid.
