Mammoth Lakes Repertory Theatre

Clybourne Park (Performing in November) is a 2010 play by Bruce Norris inspired by Lorraine Hansberry's play A Raisin in the Sun (1959). It portrays fictional events set during and after the Hansberry play, and is loosely based on historical events that took place in the city of Chicago. As described by The Washington Post, the play "applies a modern twist to the issues of race and housing and aspirations for a better life." Clybourne Park was awarded the 2011 Pulitzer Prize for Drama and the 2012 Tony Award for Best Play.

Clybourne Park is a fictional neighborhood located in central Chicago. The first act is set in 1959; six years after the end of the Korean War. The second act is set in the same house, 50 years later in 2009, with a new generation of residents, played by the same 7/8 actors.

A razor-sharp satire that pulls the covers on racism, privilege, bias of all sorts, PTSD and the intricacies of community in America. Hysterically funny and wincingly revealing. A mature, thought provoking ‘comic-drama.’​

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Character Breakdown:

 

Russ (Act I)/ Dan (Act II): Caucasian male, 45-55. In Act I, a middle-management businessman selling his house to escape memories of a family tragedy. In Act II, a friendly but somewhat oblivious construction worker.

 

Bev (Act I)/ Kathy (Act II): Caucasian female, 40s. Married to Russ, whose brooding is eroding her natural optimism. In Act II, a breezy real estate agent and lawyer.

 

Francine (Act I)/ Lena (Act II): African American female, 30s-40s. A stoic and polite domestic worker to Russ and Bev in Act I. In Act II, a no-nonsense professional woman invested in her neighborhood and fiercely opposed to white gentrification.

 

Albert (Act I)/ Kevin (Act II): African American male, 30s-40s. As husband to Francine in Act I, he is accommodating but a shrewd judge of character. In Act II, an easy-going investment banker married to Lena.

 

Karl (Act I)/ Steve (Act II): Caucasian male, late 30s-40s. In Act I, a character borrowed from “A Raisin in the Sun” who comes to persuade Russ and Bev not to sell their house to a “colored family.” In Act II, a well-educated man, but not exactly a diplomatic one. He’s seeking to purchase the home in the now-black neighborhood.

 

Betsy (Act I)/ Lindsey (Act II): Caucasian female, late 20s– 30s. Married to Karl and seven months pregnant in Act I. Betsy is deaf but does speak, although her speech is difficult to understand. In Act II, a professional woman, also pregnant, who is married to Steve.

 

Jim (Act I)/ Tom (Act II): Caucasian male, mid-20s – 30s. The well-intentioned minister at Russ and Bev’s church in Act I. In Act II, a lawyer hired by Kevin and Lena to represent their community association in negotiations with Steve and Lindsey. Tom is smart and good at his job but in a hurry.

 

Kenneth: Caucasian male, 20s. Russ and Bev’s son who has come home after service in the Korean war. Kenneth appears only briefly in a flashback at the end of Act II. He is sometimes played by the actor playing Jim/Tom.

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Driving Miss Daisy (Performing in January) is a Pulitzer Prize-winning play by Alfred Uhry chronicling a 25-year relationship between an elderly, cantankerous Jewish widow, Daisy Werthan, and her patient, dignified Black chauffeur, Hoke Coleburn, set in Atlanta from 1948 to the early 1970s. What begins as a reluctant employer-employee dynamic evolves into a deep, enduring friendship that transcends racial prejudice and class differences, subtly reflecting the social changes of the American Civil Rights era. The play explores themes of aging, race, changing social attitudes, and the power of human connection through a series of poignant and humorous interactions.

 

Only casting

Boolie: (Caucasian Male - Must play ages 40 to 65) is Daisy's son. He is forty-years-old when the play begins. He has taken over his father's printing company and, over the course of the play, he develops into one of the city's leading business figures. As the years pass, he becomes more conscious of how he will be perceived by society and, consequently, does not want to attend the United Jewish Appeal banquet for Martin Luther King, Jr. Boolie takes good care of his mother, but he sometimes neglects her feelings. When her opinion disagrees with his, he generally overrides her without thinking about what she really wants or why she wants it. However, he humors his mother's stubbornness rather than try to understand it.

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The Cottage (Performing in February), by Sandy Rustin (CLUE), where Sylvia is meeting Beau for their annual clandestine rendezvous.  This year’s encounter will be different, however, as Sylvia is convinced that today will be the start of a new life with Beau.  But when their respective spouses (and other lovers!) unexpectedly arrive on the scene, secrets are revealed, loyalties are shifted, identities are questioned, and pandemonium is unleashed.  With a tip of the hat to the classic plays of Noel Coward, this hilarious, romantic farce pays homage to screwball comedies of the past…but with a delightfully modern twist.

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SYLVIA - Female; 30s-40s; A “lovely and rash romantic”. Feminine, yet strong-willed, Sylvia’s attempts at true love leave her frustrated and ever hopeful for a shocking turn of events. BRITISH RP ACCENT.

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BEAU - Male; 30s-40s; Perhaps the best-looking man in Britain and knows it; quite the philanderer. Logical to the point of pessimism. Beau is the type of fellow quite happy with the status quo, no matter what the status quo may be. BRITISH RP ACCENT.

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MARJORIE - Female; 30s-40s; Pragmatic and a tad spicy; Eight months pregnant. Unflappable in every sense of the word. Unless of course, she’s in labor. BRITISH RP ACCENT.

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CLARKE - Male; 30s-40s; A distinguished gentleman with a lover’s spirit; Beau’s brother. Distinguished gent with a lover’s spirit. Always aiming to please, Clarke’s kind-heartedness may lead others to take him for a fool. BRITISH RP ACCENT.

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DIERDRE - Female; 20s; An awfully pretty and surprisingly wise nincompoop. Gullible is Diedre’s middle name. She’s awfully sweet though, if you like that sort of thing. Surprisingly capable of unexpected clarity and insight. Has an interesting giggle. Physically demanding. BRITISH ACCENT (RP/WORKING CLASS).

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RICHARD - Male; 30s-40s; A murderous yet gentle soul; Born to be half of a soul-mated duo, Richard is hell-bent on finding and keeping his true love (no matter what). BRITISH ACCENT (RP/WORKING CLASS).