AUDITIONS

Readers’ Theater — Fools

By Neil Simon

Title: Fools

Author: Neil Simon

Director: Lisa Bertram

Run:  March 24, 2022 through April 3, 2022

Thursdays through Saturdays at 7pm. Sundays at 2pm.

Auditions:

Open Call

Date: Saturday, February 19, 2022

Time: 9 am check in

Location: Imagination Theater, 100 Placerville Drive, Placerville CA

Rehearsal Times

Expected Days and Times: 6-8pm, February 22, 24 and March1, 3, 8, 10, 15, 17, 21, 22, 23.  “Off Book” is not required for Reader’s Theater, but extreme familiarity with the script is expected.

 

Audition Requirements

Bring headshot and resume. Be ready to read from provided sides.

For questions or conflicts, contact Holly Salvestrin at 530-306-9440.

Brief Synopsis:

Fools is a 1981 comedy play written by Neil Simon. The plot involves a schoolteacher named Leon Tolchinsky arriving in the village of Kulyenchikov (located somewhere in Ukraine) in order to educate the town doctor’s daughter. Leon promptly falls in love at first sight with the beautiful Sophia. However, it turns out that Kulyenchikov is under a curse. The town has been cursed with stupidity for centuries. The curse also makes it impossible for Sophia and the other villagers to leave the town or grasp the concept of love. The only way to break the curse is for Leon to either educate Sophia or for her to marry another man; Count Gregor Yousekevitch. Unfortunately, Leon only has 24 hours before he too falls victim to the curse of stupidity.

Casting the following roles:

  • Leon Tolchinsky – (M to play 30) A schoolteacher who is brought to Kulyenchikov to educate Sophia. He falls in love with Sophia and vows to break the curse so that she will not have to marry Count Gregor. Leon is very intelligent but also stubborn and short sighted, making it hard for him to adjust to the wacky town of Kulyenchikov.
  • Sophia Zubritsky – (F to play20-30) The beautiful and kind daughter of the town’s doctor. Leon falls in love with her. She is the one who can break the curse as she is the descendant of the original Sophia who caused the curse. The curse can only be broken if she is educated or if she marries a Yousekevitch. Sophia is a simple soul but is much smarter than everyone gives her credit for. She craves knowledge and love and is often just as stubborn as Leon.
  • Count Gregor Yousekevitch – (M to play 30-50) The descendant of the family that put the curse of stupidity on Kulyenchikov. He attempts to break the curse by marrying Sophia. He believes himself to be much smarter than the others and believes himself to be smarter than he actually is. He strikes fear in the hearts of the other villagers, making them tremble tremble.
  • Nikolai Zubritsky – (M to play 40-50) The town doctor, husband of Lenya and father of Sophia. A true fool through and through who acts as an unofficial leader of the town. He has a tendency to inadvertently belittle his wife and daughter.
  • Lenya Zubritsky – (F to play 40-50) Nikolai’s wife and Sophia’s mother. Much like her husband, she tends to belittle others but, like her daughter, she is smarter than the others give her credit for.
  • Magistrate – (M to play 70+) The very old town official. He performs the important town duties like running the bell and being the minister at the wedding.
  • Something-Something Snetsky – (M or F to play 20-50) The local shepherd who can’t remember his own name.
  • Mishkin – (M or F to play 20-50) The postman who knows facts about the curse.
  • Slovitch – (M or F to play 20-50) The butcher who, even by Kulyenchikov standards, is very, very stupid.
  • Yenchna – (M or F to play 20-50) The local female vendor who is often made fun of for her age and appearance.