By MICHAEL CRIMMINS
Glasgow News 1
The Far Off Broadway Players, Glasgow’s premiere theatre troupe, will have open auditions for the first show of their 2025 Season, “The Bunco Squad.”
The comedy is written by Jim Hesselman from Derby Dinner Playhouse in Clarksville, Ind. The premiere of this new comedy was presented at Derby Dinner Playhouse in January and February of 2024 and the Far Off Broadway Players will be presenting the second production of the show.
It will be the first time “The Bunco Squad” will be produced in Kentucky.
“The Bunco Squad” centers around eight women who meet once a month to play bunco. This squad of long-time friends drink, eat, reminisce, gossip, complain about their husbands and occasionally remember to play another round of Bunco.
Unlike the Derby production, FOBP’s production will be set in Glasgow, Kentucky and the places and times will all be localized to our area.
It is certainly a slice of life comedy with characters we all can recognize from our own neighborhoods. With a scoop of sass, a dollop of drama, a heap of heart, and loads of laughs, you will leave smiling ear to ear and ready to reconnect with old friends!
Auditions are open to adult women aged 35 to 80 and no previous acting experience is required. If you or someone you know would like to audition, please visit www.faroffbroadwayplayers.com, download the audition packet, then click the link to sign up.
Auditions are either Wednesday, Dec. 4 from 6 to 9 p.m. or Friday, Dec. 6 from 6 to 9 p.m.
Unlike other auditions, be prepared to stay at auditions so you can do scenes with others who are also auditioning. There might be some waiting at times so please wear comfortable clothing and something to drink.
Available roles include:
Marian Flatfish – 50-60
The “housewife”. Marian has (so far in her life) followed her mother and grandmother in striving to be the perfect homemaker, mother, and wife. At this point she finds herself in a “routine” and less than happy marriage. She has a good, but unspoken, relationship with her children, and is just now quietly examining why she finds herself in a different place than she imagined and aspired to when growing up – the facade of a 1950’s sit-com life. The delusion she hangs onto increasingly seems to complicate her life and the choices she makes. At present, she is ripe for change, growth, and being open to something new. Though she has no idea how these changes will manifest themselves, she is just recently considering sticking her toe into the pool of these possibilities. Husband, Harmon. Five children: Henry (Hank) (26,) Hope (27), Harley (28), Helen (29) and Hanna (30).
Ginnie Sampson Buckworthy – 42-50
The “leader”. No nonsense. A supervisor at the DMV, she is used to getting her way. The “rock” of the group (at least that is how she sees herself). She and her sister Suzie were raised by professional parents, a father who had his own law firm, and a mother, who, though she was just as educated, chose to run his office so that she could also run the home. Ginnie has more compassion than most, but it is often hidden under protocol. She would have been great in the military. Past President of the Bunco Squad and recently re-elected. Husband Carl passed away six years ago. Three children: Tom (22), Jerry, (20) and Carla Sue (17).
Suzie Sampson – 35-55
The “innocent peacemaker”. Ginnie’s older sister. Though she was also raised in that “professional” family, she reacted to it differently. She is joyful, content, and happy to be the follower in any group until there is something she feels strongly about. Then (and this is rare) she has no qualms about being the loudest person in the room so that she gets her way. Single, loyal, and hopelessly honest, she comes across as child-like but thinks deeply about things. Most likely gay, but it has truly never occurred to her. Her directness and simplicity compel people to either want to protect her or kill her.
Allison Pilman – 50-55
The “smart alec”. Current President of the squad until next month. Caustic and very bright. An adopted only child. Though she would not admit this, she demands getting her own way, and most of the time letting her have it is just easier for everyone. Divorced twice, she is still “looking” and likes to have a good time, but it is wearing on her. She loves deeply but holds people and emotions at a safe distance with her wall of wit. It is difficult for her to trust people, especially women. Single again with two children by two different fathers: Bud (31) and Tricia (20).
Ceil Trager – 49 “plus” (60)
The “executive”. Originally from the deep South, she moved to Louisville at five, but spent summers with family in Alabama (hence her ability to use her Southern Belle accent and roots when she wants to). She had some “family money” growing up. She is still financially okay, but because of husband health issues, baling out children, and a couple of bad investments, she is stuck in a nice house in a neighborhood that is now mostly rentals. A great hostess. She can hire, fire, and delegate with the best of them. Vice President of the Bunco Squad. She married two older men and one younger. Her first husband (she was 23 he was 57) died of a heart attack at 61. They had one daughter, Cynthia, now 37. Her second husband (she was 28 he was 63) left her for an 18-year-old when she turned 30. She left her third husband (she was 38 he was 23) after less than a year when she discovered he needed a mother. She then started her own catering business, met and married George (she was 50, he was 55) ten years ago. He is her fourth and the one that stuck. She is retired, but restless.
Juli Yoblotski – 45-60
The “rebel”. “Everything’s all right”, but with a smirk underneath. She pretends to not like conflict, but it is what she unknowingly LIVES for. A transplanted “Northerner”, she embraced the “y’all” long ago but still speaks quickly with great energy. She likes to have fun (gamble and drink) but is saddled with a “not-so-fun” husband. She has plenty of advice and criticism until face-to-face with a person. Secretary / Treasurer of the Bunco Squad. She and husband Roger have been married 26 years. Three kids: Roger Jr. (25), Ted (24), and Julia (22). She considers herself their peer.
Dodie Dingler – 70-80
The “ditz”. An old hippie. Somewhere between 70 and 80. As far as we know, never married, but periods of her life are a mystery – even to her. An ex-librarian who now owns a craft shop and lives alone with her cats. This has made her a bit crazy and schizophrenic as parts of her former life may suddenly appear and disappear in an instant. She is always thrilled to be anywhere with free food and people she can talk to.
Helen Chusley – 48-58
The “voice of common sense”. African American, no-nonsense, religious, but came to it late. Originally from Macon, Georgia, she moved here in the 6th grade. Wise, empathetic, and motherly with a huge capacity for love and forgiveness. Works part time at the DMV with Ginnie and was married to husband Duane at a time when, as an inter-racial couple in Southern Indiana, they received a lot of stares and possibly even some threats. She and Duane have four married sons: Tommy (23), Twins Tyler & Taylor (25), and Trent (27) and four grandsons. The recently celebrated their 35th wedding anniversary.
Comments