Auditions for The Prisoner of Second Avenue

Written by Neil Simon

Directed by Matt Austin

Open auditions for The Prisoner of Second Avenue will be held at the Ridgefield Theater Barn, 37 Halpin Lane, Ridgefield, CT on:

Sunday and Monday, July 11th (1-5pm) and July 12th (7:30-9 pm)

Rehearsals will be held evenings and some weekends from late July until opening night, Friday, September 10th. Performances continue Friday and Saturday evenings through October 2nd with matinees on selected Sundays.  Additional performances may be scheduled.  

Synopsis

Set in the 1970's, Neil Simon's The Prisoner of Second Avenue is a dark comedy depicting a New York couple, Mel and Edna Edison, enduring the trials and tribulations of city life. Mel is a well paid executive of a high-end Manhattan firm which has suddenly hit the skids and he gets the ax.  His wife Edna takes a job to tide them over, then she too is sacked. Compounded by the air-pollution killing his plants, and with the walls of the apartment paper-thin, allowing him a constant earfull of his neighbors private lives, things can't seem to get any worse. Then he is robbed and his psychiatrist dies with $23,000 of his money.  Mel does the only thing left for him to do; he has a nervous breakdown and it's the best thing that has ever happened to him!
 

Character Breakdown for The Prisoner of Second Avenue

Mel, 40's, he has no job, no money and is having a breakdown. This doesn’t sound funny, but it is.

Edna, 40's, his wife; she loves him and tries to understand him.

Harry, 50-60, Mel’s brother; he's been jealous of Mel since childhood, but wants to help.

Pearl, 50-60, Mel’s absent minded, but supportive sister.

Jessie, 50-60, Mel’s hesitant, yet, supportive sister.

Pauline, 50-60, Mel's sister who doesn't really want to help Mel get well, but feels obligated to.

       The Prisoner of Second Avenue
                  SCHEDULE 

Auditions:
Sunday, June 11th 1-5pm
Monday, June 12th 7:30-9pm

Rehearsals:
To be scheduled with
the diredctor

Performances:
Sept 10-Oct. 2, 2010
Friday & Saturday Evenings at 8 pm
Selected Sunday Matinees