The Valley Players will hold auditions for the world premiere of “Wake Up, Gloucester” by Jeanne Beckwith on Sunday, December 8, at 4 p.m. and Tuesday, December 10, at 6 p.m. at the Valley Players Theater, 4254 Main Street (Route 100), Waitsfield. This fully-staged reading (actors will appear with scripts on stage) will be directed by Doug Bergstein.
The story takes place in late August 1939, and deals with the lives, hopes, loves, and fears of a group of people who come together at The Dancing Duck, a tavern in Gloucester, Massachusetts. The depression is ending, but dreams that have been on hold still seem beyond reach. Life is not simple. Rumors of a war abroad are coming closer to home every day. The owner of the tavern is starting up a new radio station attached to the tavern. His friends, who are also his employees and customers, are supportive, but life is complicated; the future seems cloudy, and there just might be a sea serpent off the coast.
Roles are available for five men stage ages 20 or older (one in their early 20s and the others between 30 and 60) and three women stage ages 22 or older (two in their 20s and one about 50-60ish).
No preparation is necessary to audition. Each session will be 90 minutes and auditioners should expect to stay for the entire time. Two-hour rehearsals will be on Sundays at 4 p.m. and Thursdays at 6 p.m. beginning Sunday, January 5.
Performances will be February 7-16: Fridays and Saturdays at 7 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m. Anyone with questions should email
