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POWELL, Wyo. - The Big Horn Basin community is invited to audition Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, Sept. 14, 15 and 16, for “Dearly Beloved,” a country western wedding farce to be staged in December at Northwest College. Open auditions will held from 6:30-9 p.m. all three evenings at the Nelson Performing Arts Center Auditorium in Powell.
“This is my favorite script of all the shows I’ve put on here,” said director Fred Ebert, an instructor in speech communications and forensics at NWC. “It’s the most fun, and there’s plenty of room for hamming it up.” Ebert has previously directed local community theater productions of “Awesome ’80s Prom,” “It’s a Wonderful Life” and “Midsummer Night’s Dream.”
He said that while “Dearly Beloved” is packed with light-hearted humor, it’s not a melodrama. Ebert calls it a family friendly show with a soulful message to take away.
“It’s a lot about coming home and renewing family relationships,” he said. “The story focuses on three sisters who return to their hometown to put on a wedding. It’s the same kind of story we would expect to see right here in this corner of Wyoming. Except this one’s got lots of twists and turns.”
One of Ebert’s favorite lines is delivered by Honey Raye, one of the sisters who returns for her niece’s wedding. Upon entering the church, she says, “Well, lightning hasn’t struck yet, so I guess it’s safe to come in.”
The script has speaking parts for seven women and four men, plus a number of nonspeaking cameo roles. Characters onstage range in age from mid teens to mid 60. Some singing ability will be a plus for the three women cast into parts with a capella lines.
“In addition to actors,” Ebert said, “I’ll need lots of help designing and building scenery, costumes and lighting. There’s a job for anyone who’s interested in participating. Our goal, as always, is to produce a good show and have a lot of fun doing it.”
Participants can also earn college credit if they want.
Ebert said not every actor needs to be present at every rehearsal and he builds in a lot of flexibility to accommodate busy schedules.
Rehearsals run from 6:30-9 p.m. Monday through Thursdays. “Dearly Beloved” will be staged Dec. 9, 10 and 11.
For more information, e-mail or call Fred Ebert at 307-754-6047.