Book By: Walton Jones, David Wohl, Faye Greenberg

A 1940s Radio Christmas Carol takes place in 1943, at a time when the country is truly in the midst of World War II, a time when victory was not assured. The Feddington Players gather on Christmas Eve at the rundown radio studio of WOV in Newark, NJ to present their version of Dickens’s “A Christmas Carol” for a nationwide audience. Filled with humor, sentiment and unintended improvisation, the Players get through the performance with aplomb. The music in the show is a combination of standards and original songs, arranged and written in the style of the 1940’s.

Audition Dates:
September 12th at 4 PM & 13th at 1 PM

Show Dates:
December 4-6 and 11-13

Audition Notes

Attend either day, no appointment necessary. Bring your calendar to note foreseen schedule conflicts Readings from the script will be prepared and posted (soon!). The sides will be used for all characters and auditions, so do not worry if you do not see your desired character. Please be prepared to sing a short song or Christmas carol!

Character Descriptions:

Please note that the age listed is the character’s STAGE AGE (i.e the actor need not be that age, just be able to pass in that range while on stage). Cameo roles may be rolled into other characters. A ** denotes that the character has a musical solo.

Clifton Feddington, 55: Front man for WOV’s NashKelvinator Mystery Theatre, Mutual Announcer. Wears wireframe glasses like Glenn Miller.

William St. Claire, 70: A retired star of stage and screen. William is a bit of a curmudgeon and looks down on radio as one of the bastard children of the stage. A guest performer in tonight’s show, Mr. St. Claire plays Scrooge

Charles “Cholly” Butts, 35: A funny man. Has a day job as a baker at Weequahic Diner. Lives in Jersey City with his wife, Midge, has no kids, and has a hopeless and unrequited crush on Margie.

Fritz Canigliaro, early 40s: Once an East-coast Florsheim Shoe salesman, now a WOV regular. The resident masher, cynic and wise-guy.

“Little” Jackie Sparks, Tenor, 18: Having just graduated from high school, Jackie lives with his mom in suburban Newark.

Judith Davenport, 30s**: Judith is the resident “leading lady” playing all such roles as a regular. Determined and stubborn. Considers herself a “legit” actress. Day job working as a switchboard operator.

Margie O’Brien, 30**: Brassy, flippant, with a voice to match. As a show regular, plays the comic roles. She works days as a bookkeeper/ typist/stenographer/receptionist.

Sally Simpson, 20: As a show regular, plays all animals, babies, insects, little kids. Makes the long train ride to Babylon, Long Island, three days a week, to contribute to the war effort by working for Republic Aviation operating drill presses and riveting guns.

Isadore “Buzz” Crenshaw, 24: His life is his work. The “sound effectician” at WOV. Has a sharp wit and is always agreeable, whistling, and in a good mood.

Esther Lewis Pirnie: Backstage audio engineer and transmitter supervisor for WOV Radio (Cameo)

Harold J. Mullins: Concierge of the Hotel Aberdeen in Newark. (Cameo)

A 1940s RADIO CHRISTMAS CAROL is presented by arrangement with Concord Theatricals. www.concordtheatricals.com

Production Team

Director:
Tom Stevens 

Producer:
Augie Stevens

Lighting Designer:
Jack Von Behren

Set Designer:
Adam Higley

Costumer:
Annie Boudreau