1

Audition for The Musical Comedy Murders of 1940


Starkville Community Theatre will hold auditions for “The Musical Comedy Murders of 1940” by John Bishop at 6 p.m. Sunday and Monday, November 7 and 8, at The Playhouse on Main. The show runs February 4 through 12, 2022.

This over-the-top comedy tells the story of the creative team responsible for a recent Broadway flop (in which three chorus girls were murdered by the mysterious “Stage Door Slasher") assemble for a backer’s audition of their new show at the Westchester estate of a wealthy “angel.” The house is replete with sliding panels, secret passageways, and a German maid who is apparently four different people—all of which figure diabolically in the comic mayhem which follows when the infamous “Slasher” makes his reappearance and strikes again—and again. As the composer, lyricist, actors, and director prepare their performance, and a blizzard cuts off any possible retreat, bodies start to drop in plain sight, knives spring out of nowhere, masked figures drag their victims behind swiveling bookcases, and accusing fingers point in all directions.

The Musical Comedy Murders of 1940 is presented by special arrangement with Dramatists Play Service, Inc., New York. This production is sponsored by Renasant Bank, and is supported in part by funds from the Mississippi Arts Commission, a state agency, and in part, from the National Endowment for the Arts, a federal agency.

The large cast includes roles for five men and five women of various ages. Sides for auditions are available upon request from the director, Michele Crescenzo at michelecrescenzo@gmail.com. To be considered for casting, anyone auditioning (or interested in assisting as a crew member) must be able to provide proof of full COVID-19 vaccination.

CHARACTER DESCRIPTIONS

  • HELGA –No-nonsense German maid. White. 30s-40s. Played by a male actor who later plays her twin brother.
  • ELSA VON GROSSENKNUETEN – ELSA VON GROSSENKNUETEN – The Host. White. 40s plus. Flair for the dramatic and extremely eccentric.
  • SERGEANT MICHAEL KELLY – African American. 40s and up. Undercover New York City police officer.
  • PATRICK O’REILLY – White. 30-50. Claims to be an Irish tenor. Irish brogue; later German accent
  • KEN DE LA MAIZE- The Director. 40s plus. Self-absorbed. Likes to drop names in a most annoying way.
  • NIKKI CRANDALL- An Actress. Mid to late 20s plus. Considered a typical chorus girl.
  • EDDIE MCCUEN – An Actor. Mid to late 20s plus. Struggling out-of-work comedian.
  • MRS. MARJORIE BAVERSTOCK – The Producer. 40s plus. Dresses and carries herself like royalty.
  • BERNICE ROTH – The Librettist. 40s plus. Dresses like a gypsy dancer. Rather odd and emotional. Perpetually thirsty.
  • ROGER HOPEWELL – The Lyricist. 40s plus. Outrageous, flamboyant songwriting partner of Bernice.



Return to the SCT homepage.