Audition for ‘The Movie Game’

Auditions for “The Movie Game,” a romantic comedy by Adam Hummel, will be held on Monday and Tuesday, July 16 and 17, from 7 to 9 p.m. on the main stage of The Phipps Center for the Arts.

“The Movie Game” is the story of Jack Goldberg, an unemployed cinephile, who has found himself in the midst of a pre-midlife crisis. Disenchanted with his weekly custom of meeting his lifelong friend, Sam (Samantha), at a condemned neighborhood movie theater for Chinese takeout, Jack decides the time has come for a drastic change. In an attempt to get out of the rut he is in, Jack agrees to see “the therapist to the stars,” Dr. Suez, after his overbearing mother schedules an appointment for him. Dr. Suez convinces Jack that in order to move on with his life he must undergo a radical type of therapy that forces Jack to play the leading man in his own romantic comedy. What begins as an informal, albeit unconventional, exercise soon escalates to include an over-the-top director, a supporting cast of Jack’s mother and father, and a love interest played by Jack’s librarian sister. Meanwhile Jack, unsure of his therapist’s sanity, takes matters into his own hands after meeting and falling head over heels for the beautiful, but regrettably engaged, Maggie. Yet Sam envisions a different ending to Jack’s movie, an ending that puts her in Jack’s arms instead of Maggie. “The Movie Game” combines humor and heart, love and laughter while paying homage to films such as “The Philadelphia Story,” “Annie Hall,” and “When Harry Met Sally.”

Director Paul Ashwood is looking for five men and four women, ages 20 to 60. Those auditioning will read from the script, which will be available at 6:30 each evening. The first cast meeting will be held on Monday, July 23 at 7 p.m. Rehearsals will be held most weeknights and some weekends. Ten performances will be given Sept. 14 through Oct. 7 on Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 p.m. as well as Sundays, Sept. 23 and Oct. 7, at 2:30 p.m.

Ashwood conceived and directed “Radio Daze” at The Phipps last January. He has been active at the center for the past 23 years both on stage and backstage, and is currently the Drama Council coordinator.

For more information, contact The Phipps Center at (715) 386-2305.

Tags: lifestyle, arts, entertainment, hudson