Marvin’s Room ~ Open Auditions December 2

SYNOPSIS: 

Marvin’s Room is a poignant and funny story of family, love, second chances and dignity.  Bessie has devoted her life to caring for her crippled Aunt and her terminally ill father Marvin.  He’s dying but as she tells the doctor “he’s been doing it real slow so I don’t miss anything.”

When Bessie is diagnosed with Leukemia her sister Lee, who left town a long time ago and has never looked back, returns with her two teenage sons, one of whom is on release from a juvenile detention facility,  to be tested for a bone marrow transplant. In the course of the play the sisters reconnect, Bessie assesses how she has spent her life, and the boys and Lee get a second chance at building a family and repairing relationships.

If you have ever cared for an elderly parent, reconnected with an estranged family member or thought about the “road not taken” you will find something in this touching story.

*Director’s Note:  As OLT’s entry into the EODL Festival, one performance of the run will be adjudicated. An awards lunch will take place in April in Peterborough, Ont. to which the cast and crew are invited (although attendance is not mandatory.) The OLT will pay for tickets to the event, however transportation and accommodation are not covered.  Should Marvin’s Room win the EODL Best Production Award, it will be remounted for the Theatre Ontario Festival over the May 24^th long weekend (date to be confirmed) in Richmond, Ont.  The OLT provides some funding to assist with expenses related to taking the show to Richmond Hill.  Anyone who accepts a part needs to be available for this as well as the show run.  In addition some extra rehearsal will be scheduled before this performance should it be required.  This can be booked according to cast availability.   

ROLES: 

All ages noted are character/stage ages.

The OLT policy is that all roles are open to all races and ethnicity, even  though the main characters share a family relationship. Actors of all ethnicity are encouraged to audition.

BESSIE – (40-55)  Unassuming and stoic, Bessie has spent her quiet life taking a backseat, first to her more outgoing and demanding sister, then as the only caretaker for her Aunt and chronically ill father.  Bessie is onstage for the majority of the show so heavy dialogue and a full commitment to the rehearsals is required.  The actress must convincingly portray the effects of her cancer diagnosis however we will not be asking her to shave her head, this will be accomplished with makeup and hair effects.

LEE – (35-50) Full of restless energy and a burning desire for something better, Lee is kinetic and somewhat manic.  Life has not turned out as she planned and as a result she’s weary and a little defeated, especially in her relationship with her son Hank.  There is guilt and distance in her relationship to Bessie but there is a reconciliation.  A strong ability to portray a character arc is required.

RUTH – (age 65+) Childlike, sweet, absent and a little selfish Ruth has spent her entire life in chronic pain from collapsed vertebrae.  Although now cured she has cultivated a helplessness that she uses to keep from having any responsibility other than watching her favourite soap opera.  A very funny role, this actress will need good comic timing.

HANK – (age 17- 18) A lost boy on the verge of manhood and not sure of who he is or where he fits in, Hank is currently an inmate in a juvenile detention facility for arson. He burned down the family house, however it wouldn’t have been a big deal if the fire hadn’t spread down the block… and the paint cans hadn’t created those noxious fumes.  He tries very hard to project an aura of toughness, tells wild stories calculated to shock, but in reality is actually quite sweet and kind, a side of him his Aunt Bessie brings out. Outwardly tough and difficult but in reality a little boy looking for the love he doesn’t get from his Mother.

CHARLIE – (age 13-15)  Quiet, shy and introverted, Charlie has learned not to make trouble to compensate for his more aggressive brother.  He is compliant and sweet, he idolizes Hank but has closed himself off from connecting with anyone while his mother and brother fight and fume.  Obsessed with reading he fades into books to avoid his uncomfortable home life.

WALLY – (age 60+) An elderly doctor, he is kind and genuinely concerned with Bessie but may have lost his ability to be an effective doctor. He is overwhelmed running his practice alone having just lost his nurse and with his partner on vacation.  *This is a smaller role – 3 scenes; the actor cast will be asked to double as MARVIN (body in a bed) in other scenes.

CHARLOTTE / RETIREMENT HOME DIRECTOR – (female, age undetermined).  Double character, 1 scene for each. DR. CHARLOTTE is Hank’s therapist. The RETIREMENT HOME DIRECTOR shows the sisters an alternate care facility for Marvin. This actor will also be asked to be in the “Pluto” suit in Disneyworld and may be asked to be a person in the bed as Marvin.

MARVIN – Marvin is not an actual character in the play; he is a presence.  The set will be designed so that the bed in Marvin’s room will only be partially visible to the audience. Someone will need to be in the bed; there will be occasional movement and possibly some groaning or noise but no actual dialogue and we will never actually see Marvin.  The actor cast as Dr. Wally and potentially the actor cast as Dr. Charlotte will be asked to fulfill this task.

Rehearsals will be January, February and March, There will be one rehearsal before Christmas then regular rehearsals will begin in January, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays, moving to Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays in February.  Two weeks before opening, when the show moves to the stage, rehearsals will occur most evenings.  The commitment is not a light one and should not be taken on without a firm commitment.  Conflicts in schedule can be accommodated and certainly not all actors will be called for every rehearsal, but before you commit to an audition please consider carefully whether you are able to devote the time required.

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES: Interested in volunteering behind the scenes on this production? Come to either the audition to meet the creative team and find out how you can be involved!