"The Window" By Jenell Barnes
Director Unassigned

Synopsis- Fay reminisces about her life spent with her husband Oscar, living in the central valley and trying to make a difference in the world around them and to their children and grandchildren. A heart-warming story of family and love.

Three parts available
Fay- Grandmother
Oscar- Fay's Husband
Maggie- Fay's Granddaughter

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"Untitled" by Debbie Bennett
Directed by Sheila Noel

Synopsis- a hilarious and madcap look at the Merced court system, full of stories gathered by Ms. Bennett from community members around the area. The idea is that, sooner or later, everyone gets jury duty, and these are the stories of the many people one might encounter while there.

10+ roles available
Chrystal- mid 30's, not well educated, bad attitude
Melinda- Mid 40's Mexican American
Vince- Mid to late 60's Mexican American, larger than life, story teller, Melinda's Uncle
John- mid' 50's to late 60's Japanese American
Clerk- female
Phil- late 40's
Travis- late 40's
Sarah- female, late 40's, early 50's
Bill- mid 50's cynical, Public Defender
Anne-late 20's- early 30's new Deputy District Attorny

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"Untitled" by Casie Bonstein
Directed by Michelle "Mike" Kittel

Synopsis-
Madi, a young girl who is left alone alot, goes to the Merced public library with her studious friend, Shelli. There she falls asleep while Shelli studies and is transported into a variety of book worlds where she learns about family and how to be content and understanding of her family's obligations rather than search for adventures. A fun and witty play written by the youngest of the Gateway Writers. The parents of Madi will also be playing the characters she meets through her adventures in the books, including medieval knights, and gangsters.

Four available roles
Madi- A young girl ages 12-14
Shelli- a young girl, aged 12-14
Madi's Mom- able to play a variety of roles and personalities
Madi's Dad- Able to play a variety of roles and personalities

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"The Almond Orchard" by Dawn Trook
Directed by Jim Kocher

Synopsis-
Little Alma is unhappy at home, where her father drinks too much and her mother is too busy to play. So she starts running in the almond orchard next to her house, and there discovers that trees can be more perceptive than she thought. Three trees, Bessie, Gus, and Jay talk with Alma and try to help her understand the ways of trees while she struggles with trying to find a place at home. This is a sad story of lost little girls and family's discovered.

5 roles available
Alma- a girl of 10
Bessie- A tree, singing role
Gus- A tree, male, fatherly
Jay - A tree, a young boy who decided to stop being human and become a tree
Alma's Father- middle aged male role

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"Building a Bridge" by Chris Fradkin
Directed byAlfred Day

Synopsis- Damon attends UC Merced where he hears the ex-Chancellor speak of bridging the divide between the UC and the residents of Merced. This idea sticks in his head as a good and noble idea and he decides to literally build that bridge to bring his two lives, a student and a husband, closer together. With images from Don Quixote, this is a beautiful tale about trying to fill the gap between the ideals of higher education and the needs of the everyday person.

Four available roles
Damon- mid-twenties, graduate student
The Professor- mid-fifties, research scientist, academic adviser to Damon
Dori- early twenties, pregnant with Damon's child, earthy
Sancho Panza- centuries old, sage, spiritual adviser to Damon

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"Pushing" by Eziekiel Camargo
Director Unassigned

Synopsis- Jose is just an average high school student who has been labelled an under achiever by his school counselor who will not let him get into the classes he needs to apply for college. After three years of never being challenged Jose stops trying. Until his senior year of high school, when he transfers and meets Mr. Lee, a high school counselor who is suddenly pushing him to be more than he ever thought, and even helps him get into college. A heart warming story that will resonate with many people who have gone to school in the valley and have been told not to aim high.

7 available roles
Jose- a high-school student who dresses in baggy clothes and looks like a hoodlum
Steve- Jose's friend
Narrator- narrator to help move the story and cover years of time
Mr. Lee- High school counselor
Mrs. Hernandez- Works in the school office
Betty- a friend of Jose's
Jose's Mom

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"Giant, Life-Altering Things", by Noelle D.W. Chandler
Directed by Melissa Beckwith

Synopsis- A one woman show, done entirely in a conversational monologue to the audience. Jenn is a woman with a plan and a list. Unfortunately the one thing she never put on that list is the one thing that should be most natural, have children. When she realizes she cannot conceive, she sits down with her plans and lists and has to reevaluate her entire life, from living in Merced because its "a good place to raise a family" to possibly leaving her husband. A witty piece that turns life's tragedies into poetry

1 role Available
Jenn- a strong woman, mid 20's to early 30's

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"Foreclosure: The Musical" Script and music by Joey Essig
Directed by Robert Hypes

Synopsis- This is a musical about the housing crisis and how it is affecting the everyday lives of everyday people who are just trying to do everything right in life. Narrated by a Fairy Shrimp (his is the ultimate story of foreclosure), this tells the story of Jim and Ronda, who just want to buy the house of their dreams where they can raise a family.

four available roles- all singing parts-

Jim - Early to mid 20’s, fresh faced, wide eyed his entire future ahead of him, madly in love with his new wife Ronda, slightly more serious, brooding and sensible then Ronda.

Ronda - Early to mid 20’s, fresh faced wide eyed with her whole life ahead of her, madly in love her new husband Jim, slightly more optimistic and doe eyed then Jim.

Narrator - a fairly shrimp, an all knowing character, both visible and invisible to Jim and Ronda, an authority, a bad actor. The narrator speaks with gravitas, but does not take himself or what he says seriously.

The real estate agent - played by the narrator in costume, a female, late 50’s, big glasses on a chain, an old pro, cigarette voiced.

Stanley (mortgage broker) - played by the narrator in costume, male, late 50’s, an old pro, half used car salesman, half politician, half old showman.

Those auditioning DO NOT have to have a prepared monologue. Instead, you will read some selections from some of the plays.


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The King and I
By Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein II
February 3 - February 19, 2012

Directed by Noelle D.W. Chandler
Musically Directed by Patrice Stribling Nelson

The classic musical, from the creators of 'Oklahoma!" "The Sound of Music," and "Carousel," tells the story of Anna Leonowens, who in 1860,
became governess to the king of Siam's children.  With delightful, hummable songs like 'Getting to Know You," "I Whistle a Happy Tune," "Hello,
Young Lovers" and more, it's a sweeping, spectacular production, not seen since the inaugural Playhouse Merced season.

Rated A = All Ages

Anna - Tammy Borges
Louis - Aiden Mitchell
King of Siam - Valiant Reyes
Tuptim - Krista Mensonides
Lun Tha - Paul Jackson
Chulalongkorn - Jaymie Jackson
Lady Thiang - Kay McKee
Kralahome - Rick Morrison
Captain - Patrick Walker
Interpreter - Garrett Mayer
Phra Alack - Gary Penrod
Sir Edward Ramsey - Rich Barnes

ROYAL WIVES

Dalia Anderton, Mikayla Borges, Jillian Giacalone,
Chelsea Horan, Liz Phillips, Rachel Rodrigues,
Dani Williams, Emily Wilson

ROYAL CHILDREN

Claudette Asenjo, Cossette Asenjo, Robert Barnes,
Hannah Boelter, Hannah Borges, Kate Colvin, Aralyn Day,
Colby Hanning, Madison Mitchell, Sophia Ortiz, Kalani Perez,
Savannah Rice, Gregory Viveros

ROYAL DANCERS

Dahlia Anderton, Casie Bonstein, Mikayla Borges,
Catie Cooper, Deborah Hanning, Sheli Pena,
Liz Phillips, Rachel Rodrigues, Dani Williams, Emily Wilson

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