Reinventing the Wheel

A musical play by Mark Eisman
Directed by Dylan Hoffman
Muisc Direction by Steven Bergman

AUDITION ANNOUNCEMENT

In Good Company announces auditions for a new musical play by Mark Eisman, titled “Reinventing the Wheel”, about the life and inventions of early 20th century Waltham resident Charles H. Metz. Performances are planned for September 23 to 25 and September 30 to October 2.

Each role has two components: a current-day member of a Metz-enthusiast theater troupe, and the early 20th century character they play in their story about Metz. All characters will have songs: solos, duets and/or choral pieces.

Actors of all backgrounds and abilities are encouraged to audition, and all roles are open to inclusive casting unless otherwise specified.

CHARACTERS

(current-day role is listed first; character in the Metz play listed second)

Richard

Charles ‘CH’ Metz

Richard is excitable and sassy. Charles is the modest and introverted Waltham-based inventor of bicycles, motorcycles, and automobiles.

Gwen

Elizabeth Metz

Wife of Charles Metz.

Ted

Walter Metz

Son of Charles Metz.

Mary

Molly Kunkins

Boston Globe Reporter.

Edsellivan Ford

Henry Ford

Edsellivan is a repressed entertainer. Henry is founder of the Ford Motor Company. Both are a bit pompous.

Kate

Susan B. Anthony

Women’s rights activist.

Miles

Marshall ‘Major’ Taylor

African-American bicycling champion of 1890s and 1900s. A man of self-assurance and dignity.

Alvin

Harry Elkes

Champion cyclist.

Alyse & Sybille

Edith Garrett

Fiancée of Elkes.

Wendy

Government Official

World War I official.

AUDITION INFORMATION

Initial auditions will be held in-person only on May 23 and 24. Callback auditions, if needed, will be held on May 31. Auditions will be held at First Parish in Waltham, 50 Church Street, Waltham from 7 pm to 10 pm.

Sign up for an audition time here – audition slots are 15 minutes each. Also, in advance of auditioning, we ask that all auditionees complete our brief questionnaire here.

All auditionees will be asked to sing one 32-bar excerpt from a song in one of the following genres: standards, patriotic pieces, “old” songs (prior to 1960’s), etc. that show off your voice. No a cappella; please bring sheet music for the accompanist.

Headshots and/or resumés may be emailed to us at auditions@ingoodcompanytheater.org, but they are not required.

REHEARSAL INFORMATION

The following schedule is tentative. Further, we will not expect all members of the company to attend each rehearsal, and we will work to accommodate existing conflicts.

Initial music-only rehearsals will be held on June 28, 29, and 30, and on August 2, 3, and 4. Full rehearsals will be held on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday evenings, starting on August 16. Tech week will be the week of September 19. Performances are expected to happen over two weekends.