08/24/2026
Now Announcing! Open Auditions for our upcoming Christmas Show! Find details below!
A 1940s Radio Christmas Carol
Audition Dates: Sunday September 20th & Monday September 21st at 7pm Callbacks if needed will be Tuesday September 22nd at 7pm
Location: The Laura’s Center for the Arts 97 Mill Street Hanover, MA 02339
ALL REHEARSALS AND PERFORMANCES WILL BE AT: The Laura’s Center for the Arts 97 Mill Street Hanover, MA 02339
- Rehearsals: Sundays, Mondays, and Thursdays from 7pm to 10pm
- Tech week December 6th - 10th.
- Performances are one weekend Friday December 11th at 730pm and Saturday December 12th at 2pm and 730pm
Come prepared with 16-32 bars of a christmas song and ready to read from the script
Use the following URL to book a slot: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/60B0D4FABA92AA5F58-65336220-auditions
Non-union / No compensation
Characters:
Clifton Feddington- 55 year-old Mutual Announcer, front man for WOV's Nash-Kelvinator Mystery Theatre. Formerly producer of the "Mutual Manhattan Variety Cavalcade," which Mutual removed from its lineup just after Christmas, 1942. Now broadcasts his Friday night "Man with No Tomorrow" private eye radio drama which originates from a studio near the transmitter in Newark, NJ. A pioneer in "spot advertising." Wears wire-frame glasses like Glenn Miller. Known for being cheap. Has a crush on Judith.
William St. Claire- 70 year-old, retired star of stage and screen with a long list of Broadway credits, 46 films, including the 1916 British film, "The Right to be Happy," aka "Scrooge the Skinflint." With a great mane of dramatic white hair, William is a bit of a curmud-
geon and looks down on radio as one of the bastard children of the stage. William's 31 year-old son David served as a pilot in the US Ninth Air Force. His son was killed when his P-47 was shot down over the French city of Toulon in June 1943. Mr. St. Claire, a wid-
ower, lives alone on the Upper East Side in Manhattan. He keeps with him a photograph of his son and the telegram that notified him of his son's death. A guest performer in tonight's show, Mr. St. Claire plays Scrooge.
Charles “Cholly” Butts- 35 year-old funny man. Has a day job as a baker at Weequahic Diner (where his specialty is the nesselrode pie). A little stout. Lives in Jersey City, with his wife, Midge, has no kids, and has a hopeless and unrequited crush on Margie. As a regular, plays Mishke Bibble among other cameos.
Fritz Canigliaro- Once an east-coast Florsheim Shoe salesman (and still plugs them whenever he gets an opportunity for a little commission), now a WOV regular, Fritz plays private eye Rick Roscoe, star of Clifton's usual (and very popular) Friday night offering, "The Man with No Tomorrow." Last year, Rick Roscoe had a Christmas show on Christmas Eve (called "Silent Knife, Holy Knife"). Fritz is a little disappointed that the tradition didn't continue. The resident masher, cynic and wise-guy, Fritz plays Frank Nelson cameos in comedy sketches. Always nattily dressed and well-groomed. Wears an Adolph Menjou moustache. In his early 40s.
“Little” Jackie Sparks- - Not actually "little," but young. A tenor with a high speaking voice. Having just graduated from high school, Jackie, only 17, lives with his mom in suburban Newark. Calls home probably a dozen times a day. Teased a lot. Still has a Sunday paper route. In the winter, wears ear muffs and galoshes. (Think Dennis Day.)
Judith Davenport- Although quite the cutup herself, Judith is the resident "leading lady" playing all such roles as a regular. Has two kids and two ex's and wants no more of either. Determined and stubbom, Lives in a brownstone on West 75th Street at Broadway in Manhattan. Considers herself a "legit" actress, Judith has appeared in two New York City stage productions including a role in the chorus of the Mercury Theatre production of "The Gradle Will Rock" four years ago. Day job working as a switchboard operator at Stickel Advertising Agency in Manhattan. Has Clifton's eye. In her 30s.
Margie O’Brien- Brassy, flippant, with a voice to match (think GingerRogers in "Stage Door"). As a show regular, plays the comic roles. This 30 year-old Irish-American comedienne lives with her two sisters, Zazu and Vi, in a two-room apartment in Queens. She works days as a bookkeeper/typist/stenographer/ receptionist for William Dougherty, MD, an oculist in Queens. Margie has appeared on countless radio programs, including frequent appearances on the Allen's Alley segment of the Fred Allen Show and is a favorite on The Horn & Hardart Kiddie Hour. Like Cholly, a ham.
Sally Simpson- 20 year-old Sally seems sweet and gentle, but is atough lady. Lives on the lower east side of Manhattan. As a show regular, plays all animals, babies, insects, little kids. In addition to being a radio personality at WOV, Sally makes the long train ride to Babylon, Long Island, three days a week, to contribute to the war effort by working for Republic Aviation operating drill presses and riveting guns. Sally (whose personal best is 2,155 rivets in one shift) was dubbed "The Home Front Girl" in the company newspaper. Always trying to recruit the other WOV women to join "the cause."
Isadore “Buzz” Crenshaw- - His life is his work. The 24 year-old "sound effectician" at WOV. Has a sharp wit and is always agreeable, whistling, and in a good mood. Born and raised in Bayonne where he was valedictorian at Bayonne High, Class of '37. Raised by his Aunts Lulu and Gilly. Moved back to Bayonne when the Cavalcade became Nash Mystery Theater and began broadcasting from Newark. Although he does sound effects for several other shows
broadcast by WOV, some in Manhattan, it is clearly Clifton's weekly broadcast that is the biggest challenge and most fun. Wears an FDR button. Spends a lot of time with Sally Simpson. Buzz lives alone.
T***s Navarre- - Musical director, composer and pianist/ organist for the Mystery Theatre. (Could be a man or woman.) Besides his/her usual musical chores for WOV, he/she and his/her wife/husband Faith/Frank provide both underscoring to the radio drama as well as their new and old holiday songs for the broadcast.This Role has been pre-cast
Esther Lewis Pirnie- - backstage audio engineer and transmitter supervisor for WOV Radio.
Harold J. Mullins- Concierge of the Hotel Aberdeen in Newark.
