Audition Notice
For the StageWorks Staged Reading of
“Left on Tenth”
By Delia Ephron
Directed by Philip Schatz
A romantic comedy about a novelist who reconnects with an old flame and finds love again, based on the memoir and life of author Delia Ephron.
THE STORY: After Delia Ephron’s husband of more than thirty years passes away from cancer, Delia must deal with logistical problems large and small – among them, canceling her husband’s landline with Verizon. The frustrating experience becomes the basis of a New York Times op-ed, which in turn becomes the basis for a new relationship. Peter, a man she briefly dated in her twenties, contacts her after reading her piece and wants to reconnect. In classic romantic comedy style, emails become phone calls become cross-country flights become lasting love. But when Delia is faced with a devastating new challenge, her newfound relationship with Peter comes to mean more than a happy ending – it means winning the fight of her life.
Audition Times: Wednesday and Thursday, July 22 and 23, at 7:00pm
To arrange an alternate audition time or for questions, contact Philip at philipaterasmus@gmail.com
Place: Acting Ensemble on the Avenue, 602 E Mishawaka Ave, Mishawaka IN 46545
Auditions will consist of cold readings from sides provided by the director.
Performance date and rehearsals: Performance is August 4 at 7:30 pm. This is a staged reading – no memorization, and we will have 3 – 4 rehearsals. Please arrive at the audition knowing your conflicts.
CHARACTERS: The character list reflects the Broadway cast in which one female actor and one male actor played all the female and male roles other than Delia and Peter.
Acting Ensemble is looking for at least 2 men and 2 women to play the following roles, except for the dogs. If you are interested in auditioning a dog, contact Philip.
DELIA – somewhere north of fifty, a writer, girlish, funny, emoational, and very alive.
PETER – somewhere north of fifty, a psychiatrist/Jungian psychoanalyst, intense, confident, an outdoor guy.
HONEY – a small dog.
CHARLOTTE – another small dog.
Additional female roles:
DEENA – Delia’s age, screenwriter and novelist, rabid Dodgers fan, a California woman, very pulled together.
JULIA – Delia’s age, English, a writer, theatrical.
JESSIE – a little younger than Delia, a writer/director, soulful, both compassionate and tough, spiritual and earthy.
ALICE – Delia’s age, one hundred percent Berkeley, a practicing psychologist.
- ROBOZ – late forties to early fifties, a brilliant oncologist, a doctor with a touch of girlfriend.
Others: various Verizon phone representatives and announcements, Rosie, Waitress, Bride in “Seven Brides for Seven Brothers” DANCE, Pilot, Hospital Visitor, Nurse.
Additional male roles:
MITCH – early sixties, Delia’s neighbor, cool, a designer.
RICHARD – charming infirm older man, English.
KOEN VAN BESIEN – (also known as VB), fifties, head of the transplant unit, Belgian, dignified, brilliant, modest, fluent in English.
Others: Verizon phone representative, Eye doctor, Verizon repair person, Waiter, Groom in “Seven Brides for Seven Brothers” dance, Pilot, Orderly, Male nurse.
History:
“Left On Tenth” premiered on Broadway at the James Earl Jones Theatre on October 23, 2024. Directed by Susan Stroman, the production featured Julianna Margulies, Peter Gallagher, Kate MacCluggage, Peter Francis James and the dogs Nessa Rose and Charlie.
Reviews:
“Honest and deeply personal.” – Chicago Tribune
“Both hopeful and heartwarming… It’s clear why Ephron would wish to share their love story with the world.” – USA Today
“You may feel a comforting return to the world and framing of Ephronian romantic comedy.” – New York Magazine
“A moving and heartfelt portrait of romance and passion.” – The New York Times
Delia Ephron is a novelist, screenwriter, essayist, and playwright. She is the author of the best-selling memoir, Left on Tenth: A Second Chance at Life. Her play, based on the memoir, directed by Susan Stroman, was produced on Broadway. Her novels include the best-selling Siracusa and The Lion Is In; her books of essays and humor include SisterMotherHusbandDog (etc) and How To Eat Like A Child. She has written children’s books and young adult novels. Her many movie credits – often co-written with her sister Nora Ephron — include You’ve Got Mail, Michael, and Hanging Up, based on her novel. Her sister and she co-authored the play, “Love, Loss and What I Wore”. Her essays have been published in The New York Times, Vogue, and Vanity Fair. She is part of The Empathy Project, a collaboration of doctors and filmmakers who create films to teach empathy to doctors. She lives in Greenwich Village.
THE STAGEWORKS STAGED READING SERIES IS A MONTHLY STAGED READING, performed with script in hand and utilizing little to no movement, lights, sounds, or costumes. We love StageWorks because it gives us a chance to let you experience quality theater that we might not be able to produce otherwise (because of cast size, space restrictions, time constraints, etc.) at an affordable price, and allows our actors to explore and innovate, honing their craft and elevating their creativity.
