‘Dear James’ auditions

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Actors from southeastern Minnesota are invited to audition for roles in “Dear James,” which will open the 10th anniversary season of the Jon Hassler Theater. Show dates are June 12-July 12. “Dear James,” which was the first adaptation of a Hassler novel to have been presented in Plainview, is being reprised in 2009.

Auditions will be from 6 to 9 p.m. Feb. 15 and 16 at the theater, 412 W. Broadway. Actors should call the theater at (507) 534-2900 to schedule an appointment.

The Theater, which previously used mostly professional actors, will cast primarily from southeastern Minnesota this year, filling in with professional actors only where necessary.

Actors will receive a stipend based on a sliding scale that reflects their past experience and the size of the role. Rehearsals will begin in mid-May and will be held on weekday evenings and weekends at the theater in Plainview. A total of 22 performances are scheduled, including Thursday afternoons.

Dear James focuses on the character Miss Agatha McGee of fictional Staggerford, Minn., and her friendship with her Irish penpal, James, a priest. Five roles are available:

• Agatha McGee — 70, a spinster, retired from teaching and now cut adrift from her moorings. She is judgmental, demanding, caring, chaste, and possesses a facile wit and tongue. She is governed by her very Catholic value system and proud of her independence.

• James O’Hannon — 70, a retired Irish priest, who is ill and wants to use his remaining time to address “the troubles” in Ireland (1980s). He is lonely and values Agatha’s letters.

• French (Frederick Lopat) — middle-aged, a Vietnam vet with post-traumatic stress syndrome.

• Imogene Kite — around 40, the daughter of Agatha’s neighbor and best friend. She is single, hard-edged, judgmental and nosy.

• Myron Kleinschmidt — middle-aged, a politician who represents his District in Washington, D.C. He is unhappily married, an opportunist, and about to run for re-election.

Sally Childs will return to Plainview to direct this production. For more information, call (507) 534-2900 or go online to www.jonhasslertheater.org.

Tags: dear james auditions, applause