Burien Little Theatre is seeking adult actors to play characters ranging from age 2 to 49 (including some cross-dressers) to audition for the musical comedy “Christmas with the Crawfords” on Monday, Aug. 24th and Tuesday, Aug. 25th.

Auditions will be:

• Monday, Aug. 24 from 7pm to 10pm
• Tuesday, Aug. 25 from 7pm 10pm
• Callbacks are Wednesday, Aug. 26 from 7:30pm to 10:30pm

“Christmas with the Crawfords,” was created by Richard Winchester and written by Mark Sargent.

SYNOPSIS:

Featuring Hollywood’s most famous dysfunctional family, this musical comedy pays tribute to and parodies Tinseltown’s “Golden Age.” To revive her ailing career, Joan Crawford arranges a live radio broadcast in her home on Christmas Eve, 1944, but uninvited celebrity guests hog the spotlight to sing their holiday favorites. A surprise hit since 1992.

SCHEDULE:

• Performances will be at Burien Little Theatre in Burien weekends from Nov. 27 to Dec. 20, 2009.
• Rehearsals begin Sunday, Oct. 18.

Stage director is Steve Cooper and music director Ann Sager.

PAY:

• $100 stipend provided.

AUDITION DETAILS:

• For auditioning, please prepare two short contrasting songs (serious/comedy; ballad/patter) and a short comic monologue under two minutes long. Accompanist will be provided.
• Please also bring headshot and resume.
• Actors invited to callbacks will do cold readings from the script and working with music from the show.
• Please make an audition appointment: audition@burienlittletheatre.com or call Burien Little Theatre at 206-242-5180.

LOCATION:

• Auditions and callback will be in Studio 2 at the Burien Community Center, located at the intersection of S.W. 146th St. and 4th Ave. S.W. in Burien. For directions, go to www.burienlittletheatre.com.

CHARACTERS (*Note: Traditionally, many of these are cross-dressing roles, particularly Joan Crawford, but we are open to either gender):

• Joan Crawford – Traditionally, a gender-bending role, but we are open to either gender, age 39, famous movie star, desperate to revive her ailing career
• Christina Crawford – Female role, age 5 (but played by an adult), Joan’s daughter, actress and author, who became best known for writing “Mommie Dearest,” an expose of alleged child abuse by Joan Crawford
• Christopher Crawford – Male role, Joan’s son, age 2 (but played by an adult)
• Shirley Temple – Female role, age 16, famous movie star, she’s a sugar-coated tough cookie
• Jane Crawford – Female role, age 36, Joan’s “sister,” actually a younger version of Baby Jane as played by Bette Davis in “Whatever Happened to Baby Jane?”
• Andrews Sisters – famous singing trio who also appeared in several films
• Laverne – Female role, age 33
• Maxene – Female role, age 28
• Patty – Female role, age 26
• Hedda Hopper – Female role, age 59, film actress and famous Hollywood gossip columnist
• Judy Garland – Female role, age 22, famous movie star and singer
• Gloria Swanson – Female role, age 45, famous movie star on the downside of her career
• Hattie McDaniel – Female role, age 49, African-American signer and film actress, best known for her role as Mammie in the film “Gone with the Wind”
• Carmen Miranda – Female role, age 35, Portuguese-born Brazilian samba singer and famous star of stage and screen
• Ethel Merman – Female role, age 36, famous stage actress

And while we’re not in charge of these auditions, we’d recommend NOT bringing any wire hangers…ever!