Adapted by Philip Grecian from the Motion Picture

Directors and Producers:
Maryth Gilroy and Karen Hamm

Production Dates
December 16, 17, 18, 22, 23, 27, 29, 30, 31 @ 7:30 pm
Matinées December 19, 20, 26, 27 @ 2 pm

Production venue
Deep Cove Shaw Theatre, 4360 Gallant Avenue, North Vancouver

Audition Dates
Monday, Sept 7th, 2:00 to 5:00pm, 6:00 to 9:00pm
Potential callbacks – Monday, Sept 14th 6:30 to 9:00 pm.

Auditions and Callbacks Venue
Deep Cove Shaw Theatre, 4360 Gallant Avenue, North Vancouver

Rehearsals
936 Bowron Ct, North Vancouver
Not all actors will be required for all rehearsals.

Synopsis
Humorist Jean Shepherd’s memoir of growing up in the midwest in the 1940s follows 9-year-old Ralphie Parker in his quest to get a genuine Red Ryder BB gun under the tree for Christmas. Ralphie pleads his case before his mother, his teacher and even Santa Claus himself at Higbee’s Department Store. The consistent response: “You’ll shoot your eye out!” All the elements from the beloved motion picture are here, including the family’s temperamental exploding furnace; Scut Farkas, the school bully; the boys’ experiment with a wet tongue on a cold lamppost; the Little Orphan Annie decoder pin; Ralphie’s father winning a lamp shaped like a woman’s leg in a net stocking; Ralphie’s fantasy scenarios and more.

Roles
Jean Shepherd (Narrator / Adult Ralph): (50 to 60s) The adult version of Ralphie. He does not participate directly in the action but serves as the narrator, reminiscing about his childhood with a witty, nostalgic, and wry tone.

Mother: (30 to 40s) The glue of the family. She is practical, warm, endlessly patient, and acts as the peacekeeper between her husband and their children.

The Old Man (Mr. Parker): (30 to 40s) Ralphie’s gruff but well-meaning father. He is a master of “profanity,” obsessed with a major award (the infamous leg lamp), and takes great pride in fighting with the furnace.

* Ralphie Parker: (9 to 11) The young, imaginative protagonist. He is obsessed with getting an official Red Ryder air rifle but constantly gets shot down by adults claiming he will “shoot his eye out”.

* Randy: (7 to 9) Ralphie’s younger, whiny, and excitable brother. He hates eating his vegetables and frequently hides in fear of the neighborhood bullies.

* Flick: (9 to 11) One of Ralphie’s best friends. He is a bit dim and falls victim to the ultimate triple-dog-dare to lick a freezing flagpole.

* Schwartz: (9 to 11) Ralphie’s friend, known for being a bit of a troublemaker and having a notoriously “foul mouth”.

* Scut Farkus: (12 to13) The quintessential neighborhood bully with yellow eyes. He terrorizes the younger kids until Ralphie finally snaps.

* Esther Jane Alberry: (9 to 11) Ralphie’s classmate.

* Helen Weathers: (9 to 11) Ralphie’s classmate.

Miss Shields: (30 to 50s) Ralphie’s stern but caring teacher. She enforces strict classroom rules but occasionally features in Ralphie’s daydream sequences.

Santa Claus: (30 to 50s) The irritable, overworked department store Santa who brusquely rushes Ralphie down the slide with his iconic boot.  Can also play other roles:  Tree Lot Owner, Delivery Man, Voice of Neighbour.

* NOTE: We may cast all children roles with actors up to young adult.  We encourage actors aged 8 to 20 to audition for us.

Notes

• Scheduled appointments and walk up.  Please email for an appointment, or you may come on the day, but expect to possibly stay for the entire audition time as actors may read for a variety of roles and with various other actors.
• Sides may be provided in advance if desired, or you may cold read on the day. A digital copy of the script is available in advance by request.
• This is a Non-Equity, community theatre production.  All roles are volunteer based.
• Please bring a résumé and a head shot (photocopy is good) to the audition.
• Actors are required to become members of the Deep Cove Stage Society (at no cost)
• Auditions are open to everyone regardless of background, race, gender, orientation. We encourage anyone to audition as we will be casting whoever is best for the role.