Auditions for ‘The Big Christmas Show’ at SAC - 27 East
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Arts & Living

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Auditions for ‘The Big Christmas Show’ at SAC

authorStaff Writer on Oct 8, 2023

Center Stage at Southampton Arts Center will hold open auditions for “The Big Christmas Show, a Musical Radio Play” on Sunday, October 15, from 5:30 to 8 p.m. at Southampton Arts Center, 25 Jobs Lane, Southampton.

Performances will be held on Friday, December 8, Saturday, December 9 and Sunday, December 10 at SAC.

“We are truly looking forward to working with this accomplished team in bringing this season of live theater to the Southampton Arts Center,” Christina Strassfield, executive director of SAC stated.

“The Big Christmas Show, A Live Radio Play,” conceived and written by Joe Landry and Michael Disher, celebrates the holidays and radio variety shows. A star-studded variety broadcast takes an unexpectedly heartfelt turn on Christmas Eve, 1950. The new play with music embraces several well-known Christmas tales including “The Gift of the Magi,” “Yes, Virginia, There Is a Santa Claus,” “’Twas the Night Before Christmas” and some rare unexpected songs and stories. This holiday piece will premiere at SAC and embrace all with holiday optimism, humor and spirit.

Michael Disher directs this event. Amanda Jones musically directs.

The cast of 10 to 12 from ages late teens to 50s will create the radio station staff who unite in spirit, belief and hope on this snowy Christmas Eve. Those auditioning should come prepared with any celebrity impersonations of 1930s to early 1950s stars including, but not limited to, Tallulah Bankhead, Mae West, Groucho Marx, Jimmy Stewart, Bette Davis, Bing Crosby, Julia Child, Joan Crawford, Jimmy Durante, George Burns, Gracie Allen, Katharine Hepburn, Al Jolson and Carmen Miranda. All should be prepared to sing one verse, a cappella, of a Christmas song of their choice.

The play will involve minimal rehearsals, mostly on Saturday and Sunday afternoons. Memorization is required. Scripted radio portions are performed from the text. For further information, contact Michael Disher at mbentondisher@gmail.com.

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