Leading Ladies
Auditions
July 14 & 15 @ 7:00 PM
seeking adult actors 18 and up
performances / sept 13 & 18-20, 2026
Director / Judy Harper
FROM THE DIRECTOR
Playwright Ken Ludwig is known for writing plays that require well-timed physical comedy and quick actions and dialogue. Some of his most popular scripts include Moon Over Buffalo and Lend Me a Tenor. The comedy can be suggestive in nature, but is generally considered to be more light-hearted.
- The play utilizes a fair amount of physical comedy, and actors need to be able to execute the slapstick elements of movement.
- Intimacy Disclosure: There is scripted intimacy featured throughout the production, including male-to-female and male-to-male lip-to-lip contact. An intimacy coordinator will block these scenes according to all actors’ comfort levels.
- Fight Requirements: Leo & Jack have a bit of swordplay. The play also consists of physical comedy, such as face slaps. A fight coordinator will be utilized to safely execute these moments.
Judy Harper
Director
What to Prepare
- Auditions will consist of cold readings from the scripts and possibly short impromptu skits to demonstrate an actor’s physical abilities.
- Fill out the Audition Form
- Review the Tentative Rehearsal Schedule
- Indicate any conflicts (existing AND potential) on your audition form
SYNOPSIS
In this hilarious comedy by Ken Ludwig, two English Shakespearean actors, Jack and Leo, find themselves so down on their luck that they are performing “Scenes from Shakespeare” on the Moose Lodge circuit in the Amish country of Pennsylvania. When they hear that an old lady in York, PA, is about to die and leave her fortune to her two long-lost English nephews, they resolve to pass themselves off as her beloved relatives and get the cash. The trouble is, when they get to York, they find out that the relatives aren’t nephews, but nieces! Romantic entanglements abound, especially when Leo falls head-over-petticoat in love with the old lady’s vivacious niece, Meg, who’s engaged to the local minister. Meg knows that there’s a wide world out there, but it’s not until she meets “Maxine and Stephanie” that she finally gets a taste of it.
Character Breakdown
- Leo Clark: (20s-30s) A charming, quick-witted English Shakespearean actor who masterminds the scheme. He disguises himself as the flamboyant diva “Maxine” to claim the fortune, but his plans are upended when he falls in love with Meg.
- Jack Gable: (20s-30s) Leo’s faithful and slightly more cynical acting partner. He plays the reluctant, demure “Stephanie” in the deception. He is physically comedic, willing to do anything for love, and eventually falls for Audrey.
- Meg Snider: (20s-30s) A warm, vivacious, and loyal local woman who dreams of a life and acting career beyond York, PA. She loves Shakespeare and becomes deeply enamored with “Maxine”.
- Audrey: (20s-30s) A sweet, innocent, and somewhat gullible young woman trying to improve her vocabulary. She is pursued by both Jack and her boyfriend, Butch.
- Florence Snider: (70+) The wealthy matriarch of the family. She has poor eyesight, is perpetually on the verge of death, and is holding onto a massive fortune.
- Butch Myers: (20s-30s) A former high school football star. He is earnest, sincere, not the brightest bulb, and deeply in love with Audrey.
- Doc: (50s-60s) The town doctor and Butch’s father. He is a gruff, no-nonsense leader of the local Moose Lodge who frequently misdiagnoses Florence.
- Duncan Wooley: (30-40) The local minister and Meg’s rigid, unappealing fiancé. He is eager to marry Meg and expose the “nieces” as impostors.
Bay City Player’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Vision Statement:
The theatre has long been a haven for self-expression and restoration of the spirit. However, we recognize there is great inequity in our world. We embrace the opportunity to learn from the worldwide call for allyship with respect to the voices of all marginalized people. We understand that impactful and long-lasting change takes time and a shared commitment. Bay City Players is dedicated to authentic Diversity, Inclusion and Equity across all spectrums and will continue to seek innovative ways to achieve this.
Bay City Player’s Makeup Policy
Bay City Players has implemented a new Makeup Policy for the safety of cast members. Each cast member is asked to purchase their own Ben Nye makeup kit to keep with intent to reduce the spread of germs resulting from sharing makeup. Cast members do not have to purchase a kit if they have a Ben Nye kit from a previous show. The kit costs $26. Kits last approximately two years if taken care of properly. Should you not be able to cover the cost of your kit, scholarships are available and kept confidential. Scholarships can be requested by informing your producer and/or emailing info@baycityplayers.org. The Makeup Chair will meet with cast to help them select the correct kit and Bay City Players will order all the kits. Payment will be collected before kits are ordered.