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AUDITIONS

Synopsis...

Broadway theatre personalities, washed-up and onthe-rise, gather to schmooze even as they lose”. From America's master of Contemporary Broadway Comedy, this piece is another revealing comedy behind the scenes in the entertainment world, this time near the heart of the theatre district. 45 Seconds from Broadway takes place in the legendary "Polish Tea Room" on New York's 47th Street. Similar to Broadway’s Sardi’s, the Tea Room was a meeting place for performers, writers and lovers of theatre. Here, they shared their stories, their struggles and their dreams. This camaraderie is presented as a series of vignettes with classic Neil Simon gags and heart-stopping pathos. The play represents that unique ‘home away from home’, which we’re all familiar with, whether it be that café, bar, park or sports club. Those cherished meeting places that are perhaps more cherished now than ever before. This touching valentine to New York offers great acting roles as Neil Simon continues his exploration of the foibles and funny in the human comedy. This play requires a large cast to depict the established and emerging performers within the world of this show.

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Character Breakdown

ACTORS & PERFORMERS Please note: Specified ages are playing ages only. Actors of all identities and backgrounds are encouraged to audition.

Andrew Duncan

Male. 30-59

British talent agent, well-dressed, laughs easily, he is in New York to hire Mickey to perform in London, and thinks Mickey is the funniest guy he has ever talked to, must have British accent.

Ethnicity: All Ethnicities

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Solomon Mantutu

Male. 26-57

South African playwright, soft spoken, educated, polite, wants to please everyone, seeks a production of his first play, must have South African accent.

Ethnicity: Black / African Descent

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Mickey Fox

Male. 53-67

A comedian in the tradition of the Catskill comics of vaudeville days, a regular customer in the diner, everyone there is like family to him, he is funny even when not onstage, makes no attempt to hide the accent he grew up with in the Lower East Side of New York, actor must be able to do accent.

Ethnicity: All Ethnicities

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Bernie

Male. 60-79

Owner of the diner, seems to be a curmudgeon but has a big heart, good natured, a straight shooter, strong as an ox, slight Polish accent.

Ethnicity: All Ethnicities

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Charles

Male. 63-85

Rayleen’s husband, quiet, patient when his wife orders him around, but he understands her problems, near the end of show he let’s his wife know his feelings in a very emotional & liberating moment.

Ethnicity: All Ethnicities

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Harry Fox

Male. 53-69

Mickey’s brother, trying to get Mickey to help his son become a comedian, not as boisterous as Mickey but he can stand up to his brother in any situation, has the same accent as Mickey.

Ethnicity: All Ethnicities

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Megan

Female. 18-29

From Ohio, has come to New York to be an actress on Broadway, open, sincere, sweet, nervous, enthusiastic, a hard worker, always friendly to all she meets, very Midwestern.

Ethnicity: All Ethnicities

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Arleen and Cindy

Female. 26-69

A suburbanite theatre goer, loves to gossip, thinks she knows everything about theatre, must have New York or New Jersey accent.

Ethnicity: All Ethnicities

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Rayleen

Female. 66-85

Has-been actress who is starting to lose her mind, acts like royalty and exudes an attitude of being from money or high society, even though she isn’t, talks a lot, likes to order her husband around.

Ethnicity: All Ethnicities

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Zelda

Female. 60-79

Bernie’s wife, the other owner of the diner, strong, vital, feisty, has a big heart, loves her work because it makes her feel young, always wants to get the job done, slight Polish accent.

Ethnicity: All Ethnicities

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Bessie

Female. 30-47

Very successful Broadway actress/comedienne, confident, worldly, nice, warm, the people in the diner are like family to her, she is from New York, but will seek her future in Hollywood, slight New York accent.

Ethnicity: Black / African Descent

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