Wheaton Drama, Inc. (WDI) announces auditions for its third show of the 2010-2011 season, Twentieth Century, adapted by Ken Ludwig from an original play by Ben Hecht and Charles MacArthur.

This adaptation of a classic comedy sees Broadway producer Oscar Jaffe trying to save his fading career. When he discovers that his ex-chorus girl, now a famous Hollywood star, is on the Twentieth Century Limited train with him, he makes a desperate bid to convince her to return to Broadway.

Steve Blount (Bus Stop) is directing, assisted by Mary Beth deBolt. Annie Walker-Bright is the production manager.

Auditions will be Sunday, November 28th and Monday, November 29th, at 7pm at Playhouse 111, 111 North Hale Street in Wheaton, IL.

Auditions will consist of cold readings from the script.

Roles are:

Anita Highland (female, age 25-35) Attractive, down to earth office manager to Dr. Grover Lockwood

Dr. Grover Lockwood (male, age 30-45) Nervous disposition.

Matthew Clark (male, age 40-60) Small stature, outwardly meek but a religious fanatic.

Porter (male, any age) this is good role for a black actor but we will consider anyone who auditions for the role.

Owen O’Malley (male, age 35-60) A cynical and bellicose Irishman, but not without some charm. We need someone who can do a New York Irish accent.

Conductor (male, 40-65) A dignified, no nonsense sort of man.

Ida Webb (female, age 35-60) Tough, efficient, smart-mouthed dame who plays poker with the boys…and usually wins.

Oscar Jaffe (male, 40-60) Larger than life, self-absorbed Broadway producer. A combination of Orson Welles and Max Bialystok, whose voice “is a lofty instrument designed to meet the great moments in life.”

Lily Garland (female, age 35-45) One-time chorus girl discovered by (but since estranged from) Oscar Jaffe. Now a Hollywood star. She is stunning, histrionic, glamorous, egotistical…and totally magnetic.

George Smith (male, age 30-40) Lily Garland’s agent (and current lover). “A collar ad with temperament.” Handsome but not the brightest porch light on the block.

Beard, Detective, Max Jacobs (male, age 30-60) These three roles are played by one actor. A good character actor who can do a respectable German accent is needed.

Please contact the director at [email protected] with any audition questions.

Performances of Twentieth Century are January 28th through February 20th, 2011 Shows are Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays at 8pm and Sundays at 3pm. Tickets are $16 each, except Thursdays, which have a special price of $13 each.

Twentieth Century is presented by special arrangement with Samuel French, Inc.

For tickets and information, please visit https://wheatondrama.org, or call 630-260-1820.