By Neil Simon
Director: Sam Miller
From February 7 to February 23, 2020

"Laughter on the 23rd Floor"

Audition Dates: November 10 and 11 at 7 PM.

By Neil Simon
Directed by Sam Miller
Presented by Special Arrangement with SAMUEL FRENCH
Performances from February 7-23, 2020

The Williamsburg Players is seeking a talented ensemble of six men and three women for our uproarious upcoming play, Laughter on the 23rd Floor! In 1953, the staff writers for "The Max Prince Show" are the best in the television business. But behind the scenes, they must contend with a network aking them to dumb down the show, the shadow of Andrew McCarthy's blacklisting, their clashing personalities, and most of all, their boss, the short-fused, neurotic, hilarious, and marginally insane Max Prince. Inspired by Neil Simon's own experiences working for Sid Caesar on "Your Show of Shows," Laughter on the 23rd Floor is a healthy mix of laughs, tears, laughs, wise-cracking, laughs, wall-punching, shoe defenestration, Marlon Brando impressions, and, of course, laughs.

Our open call auditions will be held Sunday, November 10th and Monday, November 11th, at 7 pm at the theatre, and will consist of cold readings from the script.

The Characters:

(Note that the ages listed are negotiable. We also encourage actors of all ethnicities to audition.)

Max Prince - The star of the show bearing his name. A larger-than-life, quick-to-anger, one-of-a-kind comedian, and thinks of his writing staff as a (dysfunctional) family. Requires high energy and a willingness to spend an act without pants. (Early to mid 30's)

Lucas Brickman - The new kid. Still trying to find his voice in comedy. Generally friendly, though a bit meek at first. Requires willingness to give commentary to the audience. (Mid 20's)

Milt Fields - A comedian who believes in "quantity over quality" comedy, and makes quips and cracks at every opportunity. Has a not-necessarily well-deserved reputation as a ladies' man. Requires ability to wear ridiculous clothes to get attention. (Late 20's to late 40's)

Val Skolsky - Arrived from Russia when he was 12. The head writer and the most politically-minded of the group. A bit of a worrywart, often frustrated with his unproductive staff. Requires inability to hide a Russian accent. (30's or 40's)

Brian Doyle - Irish, a bad smoker, and the only gentile on the staff. Has a bitter sense of humor, and has aspirations of escaping to Hollywood. Hates Ira Stone with a passion. Perhaps balding (though absolutely not a requirement.) Requires a good degree of crankiness. (Late 20's to mid 30's)

Mary Franks - Described as thr "girl genius." Wrote for Jack Benny when she was 14. The most sophisticated one on the staff, and often the only voice of reason. Requires ability to stay level-headed in the face of insanity. (Late 20's to early 30's) [Note: Mary is a gender-swapped version of the character Kenny from the original script.]

Carol Wyman - The responsible one, often feels like she's surrounded by children. She worries the most about blacklisting, and has worked even harder than Mary to gain respect in the television business as a woman. Requires willingness to be pregnant for half an act. (Late 20's to early 30's)

Helen - Has the displeasure of being Max's secretary. Often helpful and immune to the daily acts of lunacy. Dreams of breaking into comedy, even if she doesn't have the knack for it. Requires tenacity and patience. (20's)

Ira Stone - A consummate hypochondriac. Regularly shows up late, has an ego bigger than the room, hysterically funny but a source of perpetual annoyance to the staff. Hates Brian Doyle with a passion. Requires frantic energy and a tendency to write on walls. (30's or 40's)

Rehearsals:
November 17-20 and 24-27
December dates TBA (possibly 15th,16th, and 17th; week of Christmas will be off)
Starting January 5th, Sundays through Thursdays
February 2nd through opening night on the 7th