Lee Iafrate to direct new Village Players production, auditions coming soon

Auditions for “The Gazebo”, the Village Players spring production, will be held on Saturday, January 12 at 7 PM, and Sunday, January 13 at 2 PM in the Rehearsal Room at the Woodlands Auditorium. Performance dates are April 11-14, 2013. 

Scripts are available from Cloe Bayer, call 922-3810, or e-mail cloebayer29@sbcglobal.net., and at the Players general meeting on January 8th.

“The Gazebo” is a mystery-comedy, with the intricate plot including blackmail and “murder”. Directed by Lee Iafrate and produced by Cloe Bayer, the play is set in the living room of the Nash home on Long Island, N.Y. The namesake of the show is the gazebo in the garden, which appears quickly, sags at one point, and has to collapse in the end. The set designer and construction crew should have fun with that one!! The original time frame as written is 1958 to early 1960’s, but some minor changes in props, etc. will bring it into the present day.

This play contains lots of smaller parts to tempt those who have been toying with the idea of appearing onstage, but don’t want to memorize the lines required for a major role. At the same time, veteran actors will enjoy the opportunity to develop the unique characters written in the script.

The cast consists of 3 women, 9 men, 2 of which could be women, if necessary:

ELLIOTT NASH – A mild mannered “Dagwood Bumstead” type. He is a TV Writer who finds himself enmeshed in a blackmail scheme. His wife has him on a diet …he cheats. He thinks he has “murdered” the blackmailer. The results are hilarious. He hates living on Long Island.

HARLOW EDISON – Elliott’s neighbor and closest friend. He is an Assistant District Attorney who acts as a consultant on Elliott’s TV scripts. He is the straight man.

MATILDA BEECHER – A smaller part, the Nash’s . Kind of low on patience. Her part has been combined with that of Mrs. Beecher. Good screamer.

NELL NASH – A fading soap opera actress. She is prone to over dramatization. She’s the one who buys the antique gazebo.

MR. THORPE – A get’er done kind of Contractor. A good smaller part.

MRS. CHANDLER- A pushy real estate agent. She was hired by Mr. Nash to sell the house without the knowledge of Mrs. Nash. She has a buyer. Not too big a part for a novice.

THE DOOK (DUKE)- The mastermind of the blackmail. Part of the duo looking for “Joe”. This part calls for an older, sophisticated gentleman.

LOUIE – The Dook’s dumb sidekick. Kind of rough around the edges. The two of them really steal the scene. They tie up Elliott to a chair.

JENKINS – Head detective. Tough demeanor. VERY in charge.

DR. WYNER – Plain clothes police surgeon/coroner. Could be a woman.

DRUCKER – Policeman. (no lines). Could be a woman.

POTTS –Another policeman. Could also be a woman.



Lee has directed this show once before, and she is looking forward to doing it once again for her directorial debut with the Players. A movie of this successful Broadway play was made some years ago, starring Glen Ford in the role of Elliott Nash. We hope to see a lot of you turn out for the auditions, for what promises to be a fun show.
Cloe Bayer, call 922-3810, or e-mail cloebayer29@sbcglobal.net.