Cast Away Your Cares with Bad Auditions by Bad Actors
Director Rodland brings whimsy, good time to PACA stage
BEGINNING FRIDAY, JUL. 10
How do you tell someone to do a bad job well? This month that's exactly the conundrum the crew, cast, and director face at PACA. Jeff Rodland, director for Bad Auditions by Bad Actors explains that this performance offers a silly, fun time, "a chance to laugh and forget about the troubles of the world." July's production is a sketch-type show, in which the play follows a director quickly auditioning and casting for a performance of Romeo and Juliet. The story centers on a new director with a full to-do list – they must fill every member of the cast's roles in just one day. Accordingly, the auditions commence, and the cast grows, as does the hilarity of each character's audition.
This show features PACA debuts by several actors, including the leads, Dawn Sears and Devin Chaney. Each cast member has ample opportunity to play with the role as written while simultaneously bringing life to the comedic whimsy and ridiculousness of an audition gone poorly – a deliciously resonating experience to anyone who has ever auditioned for a play themselves.
Attendees may notice these shenanigans and silliness favor an earlier work also written by playwright Ian McWethy, 14 More Ways to Screw Up Your College Interview. This earlier work, which was performed and staged at PACA in 2021, taps a similar vein of humor. "Although we like to stage classics, musicals, and contemporary shows that are on the cutting edge, it is also nice to just have a good time. That is what this show is: a break from the intense reality that we are living in today," shares Rodland. And for the summer season, a bit of fun and whimsy with family and friends lands well.
Fridays and Saturdays through July 18 // 7:30 p.m. // PACA, 1505 State St. // $25 // For tickets and info: tickets.eriereader.com
