Here’s a message from Pat Daniels, the director of the next Hideout Mainstage show, The Andersons:
We are beginning casting for Hideout Theatre’s 1950’s SitCom Mainstage show for May/June entitled, The Andersons. This clean-cut American family is as quirky as they are lovable! Mom and Dad have their hands full with the youngsters, who are always able to get themselves in some real pickles!
I am going to be directing, with Kareem Badr Asst. Directing. We are looking for a strong ensemble from all over Austin’s diverse improv and theater groups. We will have a casting session this Tuesday, March 9th, in the downstairs theater at the Hideout, from 7 pm to 9 pm. Please contact Patrick Daniel at patnatdan@gmail.com if you are able to attend. Details below:
The Andersons is a 1950’s family comedy in the style of Ozzy and Harriet, The Donna Reed Show, Leave It To Beaver, and the namesake family of Father Knows Best.
Each show will play like the national mood of this time period: patriotic to country, belief in one’s community, naive to cruelty and violence, restricted to gender roles, hopeful for the future. If you have seen any of these programs and their characters, you have seen the huge potential for comedy. But comedy that honors the time period instead of playing our modern sensibilities in contrast.
Below is a list of characters I envision for the Andersons. They are simple descriptions of the characters, or as Eugene Ionesco might add, perhaps they will not be like this at all:
John Anderson – The father, who as it happens, knows best. He focuses on his career, always coming or going to or from work. He holds the highest standards for his family. He is kind and listening, although his word is final.
Beverly Anderson – Picturesque in her apron and heels, she is a homemaker and caretaker. She loves her family, loves her clean house, and loves her appliances. She is easily vexed; it seems she has little to no knowledge of anything unhealthy or foreign. Is overly cautious and easily offended, “Please don’t say spit, Scooter, say mouth-water, if you have to.”
Luke Anderson – The oldest son, winner of trophies. His bright smile charms everyone he meets. He is dating Molly Pünerstock, who happens to be the daughter of his father’s boss. Though he is coming into manhood, he seems awfully helpless to make any life decisions without his parents help. Golly.
Mary-Alice Anderson – The devoted daughter who tries so very hard. It is unfortunate because the young lady just can’t seem to do anything quite right, or at least as good as her mother. But she always tries to improve on her numerous failings. Naïve and easily preyed upon by boys. She is best friends with Molly Pünerstock.
Scooter – Scooter is the youngest boy or girl. He/she is the well meaning, but ultimately, a troublemaking youngster. Scooter, as his/her nickname implies, is inept but lovable. His/her hygiene is never up to standard, and he often misunderstands the situations around him, and gets himself into some real jams.
Mr. and Mrs. Radminov – The Andersons’ neighbors and best friends. Certainly Russians, possibly spies, although no one in Sycamore Grove would know that. (The people know Russians are bad, but don’t have the ability to identify one.) Mr. and Mrs. Radminov look out for the children’s well being. They give advice with good intentions, but often it is very different from the advice of Mr. and Mrs. Anderson. They often get simple customs wrong. They are fiercely patriotic. Too patriotic if you ask me. * Also, Mrs. Radminov has seen things. Horrible things.
Carol – Carol represents a very important archetype for 50’s television – the spinster. For some reason in these series, if a woman is worldly, outgoing, and fiercely intelligent, she is also unmarried (as if she would somehow be ill-suited for family life.) Carol is Beverly’s best friend of many years. She is Beverly’s number one confidant, lends a willing ear, and will help Beverly formulate plans and problem solving. Carol’s interests are only outnumbered by her hobbies. If one needs a Portuguese translator – ask Carol. If you need to know about the mating habits of Sharks – Carol has studied them off the coast of Johannesburg. If you need to quickly identify markings on an Indian arrowhead – Carol has audited a class by mail on that very subject. A perpetual spinster, Carol does not date, which is perplexing to those around her.
Levi – Levi is the young best friend of Scooter. Even at age ten, he is already a smooth snake-oil salesman (Eddie Haskell-like). Well manicured, oily, and conniving; Levi is often the catalyst for the sticky situations that Scooter is involved in and afterwards blamed. He is a coward and not above pointing the finger at anyone else, or even running away when the problems become overwhelming.
Molly Pünerstock – A determined, motivated, outgoing girlfriend of Luke and friend of Mary-Alice. She has a self-reliant attitude that differs greatly from the attitude held by the Anderson children. Her father is the boss of (yet to be determined) and her family is very wealthy.
Mr. Pünerstock – He is the boss of Mr. Anderson at a company to be determined through the shows. He is the voice for the power of business and the well-known dangers of communism and liberalism. He is demanding, hard in feature, and an avid hunter. His daughter is his greatest joy.
Milkman Dan – Each one of the series mentioned in the introduction has a character that is a perpetual outsider. Often hints are given to the audience about the character’s loose morals (alcoholism, or gambling) that confines them to a low status. However, the character is never shown to be wallowing in their vice, instead they are always seeking to be honorable. Milkman Dan is lonely and detached. He feels he doesn’t belong. Also, much to his embarrassment and chagrin, he is clairvoyant.
If you would like to be in the core cast, I would love to see you at auditions. If you can not make the time on Tues., I might be able to get small groups together on other days, please let me know your availability for the rest of the week.
**** I would also like to cast improvisers to come play episodes of the Andersons as guests, creating whatever extra characters might be necessary for that night’s episode. If you are interested in being a flex player, you do not need to attend auditions, but should send me an email to let me know you’re interested.
Thanks You,
And I hope you guys are excited about some lovable 50’s shenanigans.
Again, we will have a casting session this Tuesday, March 9th, in the downstairs theater at the Hideout, from 7 pm to 9 pm. Please contact Patrick Daniel at patnatdan@gmail.com if you are able to attend.