Auditions for a summer theater production of "The Miss Firecracker Contest" by Beth Henley will be held Thursday, May 12, 7-9 p.m., and Saturday, May 14, 10 a.m. - Noon, at the River Falls Academy, 211 N. Freemont St., River Falls. The play is directed by Michael Norman and produced by the River Falls Community Theater.
Casting requirements include four women, character ages 20s - 30s and two men, character ages 20s - 30s. No experience is necessary to audition. Those attending will read from scripts provided. Rehearsals will be held in the evening.
Performance dates are July 29-31 and August 4-6.
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Playwright Beth Henley (Pulitzer Prize winner for "Crimes of the Heart") sets this tender and poignant comedy-drama in small Brookhaven, Mississippi, a few days before the town's annual Fourth of July celebration, and its Miss Firecracker contest. Carnelle Scott is rehearsing frantically to win the contest hoping that a victory will salvage her tarnished reputation and allow her to leave town in a blaze of glory. The unexpected arrival of her cousin Elain - a former Miss Firecracker - complicates matters a bit, as does the repeated threats of Elain's eccentric brother, Delmount (recently released from a mental institution) to sell the family home and head for New Orleans to study philosophy. But with the arrival of a sweet, awkward seamstress named Popeye and other cheerfully wacky characters, Carnelle perseveres, leading to an ending of hilarity, compassion and moving lyricism as all concerned finally escape their unhappy pasts and turn hopefully toward what must surely be a better future.
