Audition dates set for new Off Stage play

Off Stage Productions information

Off Stage Productions, a community theatre company providing quality and affordable dinner theatre, proudly announces open auditions for its fall production Murder Inn, a murder-mystery written by Howard Voland and Keith McGregor and directed by Dan Bulau.

Open auditions are set for Sunday, August 2, and Tuesday, August 4, at 7 p.m., at the Van Wert Senior Center, 220 Fox Road in Van Wert. OSP will be looking to cast 12 people (four men, eight women) of various ages. No prior acting experience necessary to audition. Scripts are available for review before auditions at Premier Financial, 211 S. Walnut St. in Van Wert. Call 419.605.6708 for more information.

Performance dates will be October 24-25 and 30-31 and November 1, 6 and 7.
Murder Inn is set in New England at the Barnsley Inn, a dilapidated 18th century inn that is supposedly haunted by Marco, a knife-throwing poltergeist. A group of tourists on a tour — Ghosts and Ghouls of New England — is forced by a storm to make an unscheduled stop at the Barnsley. What looks to be an unpleasant and uncomfortable detour soon turns into a night of mayhem and madness as knives begin to pop up … in the most unexpected places.

As the storm builds and the body count rises, the survivors try to figure out whodunit. And even more important, who’s likely to have it done to them next?
Characters: (*ages, etc., are flexible as long as they work as a group)
John Talbot (20s) — Son of the owner of Barnsley Inn. A sturdy, no-nonsense young man.

*Martha Talbot (50s) — Owner of Barnsley; cantankerous, short and plump with gray hair
*Agnes Tate: “middle aged (40-50+)” — Meddlesome, antagonistic, sarcastic, inconsiderate. Everyone’s murder victim of choice.
Carolyn Pickett (20s) — Niece and traveling companion for Agnes; attractive and unassuming.
Ellen Halsey (25-35) — The tour guide, attractive and professional.
*Muriel Lampmann “middle aged (40-50+)” — Petite and … ethereal. A true believer in the occult. An airhead of sorts, but very sweet. Traveling alone.
*Patricia Simpson “middle aged (40-50+)” — Reserved, nervous, always tense. Traveling alone.
Todd Currier (20s) — Congenial, intelligent and well dressed in a casual way. He’s traveling with his father.
*Lawrence Currier (mid- to late 50s) — A college professor on sabbatical, doing research for a book. Widowed in the last couple of years. Distinguished and intellectual.
*Grace Sharp (60+)  — A retired school teacher; she’s petite and “fluffy”, and she looks helpless, which is by no means the case. Traveling with her longtime friend, Doris Brooks.
*Doris Brooks (60+) — Retired nurse practitioner. Matter-of-fact and sarcastic. Traveling with Grace.
Donald Schultz (In his 40s) — The van driver. Physically either heavy or very thin. Morose.

Come audition for Off Stage Productions’ fall show. Prepare to join the group and have the time of one’s life while entertaining patrons in a relaxing and comfortable setting.

Stay tuned for forthcoming announcements indicating show times and reservation information of the seven shows held at the Senior Center at 220 Fox Road in Van Wert. Off Stage Productions can be found online at http://www.offstagetheatre.comand on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/OffStageProductions.