Season Breakdown
The Marx Theatre Season (Equity Lort B Contract)
“West End”
It’s 1941 in Cincinnati’s West End, and African Americans migrate from the Deep South to forge new lives. At the same time, German residents face growing hostility on the brink of World War II, and Grace houses people of both backgrounds in her row house. But when a stranger arrives, she must confront her secretive past. This world premiere drama shines a light on a transformative chapter of Cincinnati history.
Grace: black, 40-45, a survivor with a deep secret. Georgia-born.
Zieglar: white, 40-45 rough around the edges but passive, German and Ohio-born
Chloe: black, 20-25, free-spirit, likes vices and attention, Ohio-born
Peek: black, 40-45, aggressive, ambitious, charming, a deacon, Georgia-born
Heath: black, 20-25, mysterious and kind, new scar on neck, Georgia-born
Script is still being developed and some characters may change.
(No roles will be understudied)
“A Christmas Carol”
There are no available roles at this time.
“Incident at Our Lady of Perpetual Help”
It’s 1973, and the Irish-Catholic O’Shea family muddles through a series of hilarious mishaps that jeopardizes their reputation — and their souls.
Linda O’Shea: female, 20, highly intelligent, caring, and curious. She alternates between
thinking she knows everything and thinking she knows nothing. Responsible and rarely impetuous.
Josephine ‘Jo’ O’Shea: female, late 40s-early 50s, juggles more plates than Cirque de Soleil. A
great mom who defines multi-tasking. She's also a little more emotional and prone to outbursts than usual because she's pregnant.
Theresa ‘Terri’ Carmichael: female, late 50s, definitely going through a rough patch, but she is not a depressive or phlegmatic. Think Thelma Ritter or Eve Arden, with a touch of Dorothy Parker. Fast talker.
Becky O’Shea: female, 13 years old, an unusual child. Bright and verbal. Full of energy and
a crazy-huge imagination. She speaks quickly, not unlike some of the characters in the movies she loves, like "His Girl Friday."
Mike O’Shea/Father Lovett/Betty Heckenbach: male, early-late 50s. Mike is loud, loyal, and single task oriented. His definition of a father is: Breadwinner and disciplinarian. Lousy listener. Father Lovett is an old school, Catholic priest. Egotistical, imperious, and pampered. Unused to any kind of pushback from parishioners or anyone else for that matter. There is a Betty Heckenbach in everyone's life. She's right up there with death and taxes—only less fun. The roles has to be played absolutely straight—no winking or flamboyance. Just a homely, judgmental, middle- aged woman sticking her big puss into other people's business. (Understudies are TBD)
“Steel Magnolias”
With beloved characters, heartwarming dialogue and snappy repartee, “Steel Magnolias” revels in the power and grace of female friendship.
Note: This is slated to be a co-production with Indiana Repertory Theatre which will originate at
Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park.
Truvy Jones: female, 40s. Any ethnicity, owner of the beauty shop.
Annelle Dupuy-Desoto: female, 19. Any ethnicity, beauty shop assistant.
Clairee Belcher: female, mid 60s. Any ethnicity, widow of former mayor. Grande dame.
Shelby Eatenton-Latcherie: female, mid 20s. Any ethnicity, prettiest girl in town.
M’Lynn Eatenton: female, 50s. Any ethnicity, Shelby’s mother. Socially prominent career woman.
Ouiser [Weezer] Boudreax: female, mid 60s. Any ethnicity, wealthy curmudgeon. Acerbic but
loveable.
(Understudies are TBD)
“School Girls; or, The African Mean Girls Play”
As the reigning queen bee at Ghana’s most exclusive boarding school sets her sights on the Miss Universe pageant, a new student unexpectedly changes the game.
All characters are of West African descent.
Paulina Sarpong (Paul-LEE-nah SAAR-pong). (Female, 18) The most popular girl in school and
knows it. She is beautiful, talented, vindictive, yet somehow loveable.
Ericka Boafo (BWAH-foh). (Female, 18 years old) Light/fair skin. She is a transfer student and is new to school. She is enchanting, sweet, elusive.
Ama (Ahh-mah). (Female, 18 years old) The sensible, smart one of Paulina’s pack and has the honor of being her best friend. Her loyalty to Paulina is starting to fray, and she has to work up towards being the girl who is not afraid to say it like she means it.
Nana (Nah-nah). (Female, 16 years old) The quiet, simple, and sensitive one of Paulina’s pack. She never means any harm and strives to do the right thing. She struggles with her love of food and snacks.
Mercy. (Female, 16 years old) The witty sidekick to Gifty and will do and say anything to stay a
member of Paulina’s pack.
Gifty. (Female, 16 years old) The “Frick” to Mercy’s “Frack”; loves being part of Paulina’s pack and will do anything to be considered cool.
Headmistress Francis. (Female, 40s) The Headmistress of Aburi Girls Boarding School; loves
her students and will do whatever she can to both uplift and protect them.
Eloise Amponsah (Ell-oh-eez Amm-pohn-saah). (Female, 40s) Extremely poised and well-mannered former Miss Ghana 1966. She is now a recruiter for the Miss Ghana pageant. She speaks with a slightly affected British accent and prides herself in always being a lady.
(Understudies are TBD)
The Shelterhouse Theatre (Equity Lort D Contract)
“Need Your Love”
From the creator of Cincinnati King comes a portrait of King Records star Little Willie John. Songs including "Fever," "My Love Is," "Shakin'" and, of course, "Need Your Love So Bad."
There are no available roles at this time.
“Rooted”
People can be so weird, which is why Emery Harris has lived alone over a decade. Her only
connection to the outside world is through her YouTube channel where she documents research on plants and has garnered several thousand followers. When strangers begin gathering near her home, she learns she’s been unwittingly elected as her followers’ new-age messiah. This quirky world premiere comedy studies the power of plants and the idiosyncrasies of people.
Available Roles:
Emery Harris: 60’s. Lives in a treehouse. Uses a walker to get around. She is researching the
consciousness of plants. Plants make sense. People are confusing. And loud. And hard to read. And sometimes, they touch you, which is awful. So, much safer to just be alone with her plants.
Hazel: Emery’s older sister. She’s taken care of Emery her entire life. She feels powerless.
She could have done so much with her life. Is it too late?
(No roles will be understudied)
“Becoming Dr. Ruth”
The role of Dr. Ruth is available.
(Role will not be understudied)
