136
Rivet St., New Bedford, MA 02744-1814
Telephone: 508 993 0772
Fax: 508 993 1396
For information
contact:
Roger H. Allen, Publicity Manager
E-mail: ytinews@comcast.net
For
Immediate Release
9 ROLES OPEN FOR
OSCAR WILDE PLAY
NEW BEDFORD, MA - - - Auditions for Oscar Wilde’s British comedy The Importance of Being Earnest will be held at 7:30 p.m., July 27 at Your Theatre, Inc., 136 Rivet St. (at County St.) in the auditorium of St. Martin’s Episcopal Church.
Edward J. Maguire, artistic director for YTI and the show’s director, is seeking to fill the roles of five men and four women for the production that runs May 10-20, 2006.
Known as a farcical comedy of manners, the play features two young men in their early 30s, each of whom adopts the identity of a non-existent ‘Ernest’ to conduct their independent wooing of two young ladies both in their 20s.
Other characters include a matron in her 60s who serves as the biggest obstacle to the lovers’ happiness, a governess in her 40s to 50s, and a minister, a butler, and a manservant (all in their 40s to 60s).
Mr. Maguire says tryouts will involve impromptu reading from the script. British dialect will not be used, he says, but “good standard non-regional American pronunciation will be required”. Actors wanting more information should call Your Theatre, Inc. at 508/993-0772.
Drama critics have been virtually unanimous in calling the play a masterpiece, and the Chicago Sun Times hailed it as “one of the most enduring and hilarious comedies of all time.”
Now in its 59th season, Your Theatre, Inc. was rated the favorite 2005 community theatre organization in Southeastern Massachusetts in a poll conducted by The New Bedford Standard-Times. The poll, which asked the newspaper’s reader’s to choose their preferred businesses and service providers in a variety of categories, drew more than 4,000 responses.
Founded in 1946, YTI is incorporated as a non-profit community theatre which seeks to enhance the cultural life of New Bedford, Southeastern Massachusetts, and nearby communities through the study and regular presentation of dramatic productions and other programs of high quality and professional standards.
The company also develops and encourages artistic talent
through the establishment and operation of workshops, theatre productions and
other dramatic training opportunities.