The Best Man
By Gore Vidal
Directed by Frank Licato
Production dates: October 19, 20, 25, 26, 27, 28 (mat), Nov 2, 3
Audition Dates:
Sun, June 10, 10am to noon
Sat, June 16, 1pm to 3pm
Callbacks on Fri, June 22, 7pm to 9pm
Actors are asked to present a 1-2 minute monologue in the style of the play. All auditions are at The Playhouse, 10 New England Ave, Summit, NJ. (directions).
"The Best Man makes you wish Vidal were writing the dialog for the presidential debates." -- NY Times. "A sophisticated, elegant and damnably entertaining play!" -- The New Yorker. "Well-crafted and witty with surprises, reversals, pungent character sketches, satire, worldly wisdom and juicy roles for all concerned." -- NY Magazine. "THE BEST MAN is a winner! Extraordinarily fresh, witty, sharp and relevant." -- NY Daily News.
Secretary William Russell:
Late 40s - late 50s. Vigorous patrician man from Rhode Island. Has a brilliant mind and wit, and the still-youthful good looks and wandering eye of a Kennedy.
Senator Joseph Cantwell:
Early - late 30s. - early 40s - Very attractive, telegenic self-made man who has risen up from humble beginnings. Seems to have a warm manner, and handles pressure with confidence and ease. A unique combination of the young Nixon’s intensity, JFK’s sexuality, and Romney’s well-polished image of the all American male.
Alice Russell:
Late 40s-50s. Still beautiful, if a not a bit weary after raising two children and enduring a marriage that grew cold with her husband, Secretary Russell. For the most part, very businesslike and concentrated, but underneath an apparent shyness lies a painful outcry for attention and affection from the man she once loved.
Ex-President Arthur Hockstader:
60s. The last serving President for the Party. In spite of his years, he is alert and appears quite spry. His accent is rural American.
Mrs. Sue-Ellen Gamadge:
50s - 60x Chairman of the Party’s Women’s Division. A resolute figure of a woman, whose entire being is devoted to the political arena, in which she operates as one of its most venerable players.
Dick Jensen:
30s - early 40s. Campaign manager for Secretary Russell. An owl-eyed Midwestern Philosophy professor with more gift than one might think for politics. Tries -- often aggressively -- to keep his candidate on the beam.
Don Blades:
30s - 40s. Aggressive and ambitious political operator of the new order, where there are no rules, only winners and losers.
Mabel Cantwell:
Late 20s - early 30’s. The pretty, consciously well-styled, entertaining wife of Senator Cantwell. Loves the political game, and is determined to help her man win, no matter what.
Sheldon Marcus:
Mid 30s - early 40s. Nervous character man-type. Resembles an unmade couch. Suburban guy who has left the comfort of his home and wife to share a shocking revelation about one of the candidates.
Senator Clyde Carlin:
50s.- 60s Long-serving, genteel yet steely-eyed senator from a state below the Mason-Dixon (say North Carolina). Aims to place his influence and bet on the winning horse. A cross between Sam Ervin, Terry Sanford and Jesse Helms.
Catherine:
Mid 20s - early 30s. Attractive, dutiful first assistant to Dick Jensen. Has also sought and received the attention of Secretary Russell. Actress also plays an Additional Reporter and Hotel Staff.
Mike:
Mid 40s. Assistant to President Hockstader – his scheduler, secretary, his first line of defense. Extremely loyal, he has been working with Hockstader since he was a student at Ole Miss.
Dr. Artinian:
Man, 40s-60s. Highly regarded -- and now bewildered -- psychiatrist for Secretary Russell. His esteemed reputation and career are placed at risk once his patient’s medical records are stolen by Blades and leveraged to knock Russell out of the race.
News Commentator / First Reporter:
Find out what's happening in Summitwith free, real-time updates from Patch.
Male, mid 30s - mid 40s. An authoritative presence with gravitas, in the mold of Howard K. Smith or Walter Cronkite. Our anchor for the evening. Actor may also play Hotel Staff, Security/State Trooper, etc.
Second Reporter / Delegate:
Male, mid 30s - mid 40. Seasoned political reporter who has covered a number of political conventions. Cynical, but knows how to -- and loves to -- corner a candidate into a juicy quote. Actor also plays Delegate from a Southern State.
Third Reporter / Delegate :
Female, early 30s - early 40s. Charming but tough reporter in the mode of Marion Carpenter and Helen Thomas. Also (likely) plays a Delegate from a Southern State.
Fourth Reporter / Delegate:
Male, mid 30s - mid 40s. Mid-career reporter, looking to finally make his break by uncovering the real story behind the convention. Actor also plays a Delegate from a Southern State.
Find out what's happening in Summitwith free, real-time updates from Patch.
Fifth Reporter / Delegate:
Male, early 20s - early 30s. Green-but-scrappy reporter, wide-eyed and ambitious, naïve at times, but smells a grand adventure. Actor also plays a Delegate from a Southern Stat.
As Cast Male 1:
Mid 20s-30s. Roles include Additional Reporter, Photographer, Delegate, Hotel Staff, Security/State Trooper.
As Cast Male 2:
Early - late 30s. Roles include Additional Reporter, Photographer, Delegate, Hotel Staff, Security/State Trooper.
For more information, please visit www.summitplayhouse.org
