Auditions: March 23 & 24, 2015 @ 7:00pm
Preview: May 7, 2015 • Performances: May 8-10 & 14-17, 2015
Laughter on the 23rd Floor opened on Broadway at the Richard Rodgers Theatre on November 22, 1993 and closed on August 27, 1994 after 320 performances and 24 previews. Inspired by Simon’s early career experience as a junior writer (along with his brother Danny) for Your Show of Shows, the play focuses on Sid Caesar-like Max Prince, the star of a weekly comedy-variety show circa 1953, and his staff, including Simon’s alter-ego Lucas Brickman, who maintains a running commentary on the writing, fighting, and wacky antics which take place in the writers’ room. Max has an ongoing battle with NBC executives, who fear his humor is too sophisticated for Middle America.
Audition Info
Need 7 Males and 2 Females – 18 and over only.
Be prepared to read from the script. Suggested to bring a prepared joke or story to share. Be Forewarned: Script is peppered with intense swearing.
Character Breakdown
Lucas – The youngest and the newest member of the writing staff for “The Max Prince Show” – a live, hour and a half topical comedy show on NBC in 1953. Lucas is shy, yet ambitious, and wants to prove himself to the other writers, whom he greatly admires.
Milt – Considers himself to be “a wholesaler” while the other comedy writers are “Tiffany’s”. Milt is a flashy dresser who is cheating on his wife.
Val – The head writer. He emigrated from Russia when he was 12. “He still carries his accent” and is “the most politically aware of all of his writers.”
Brian – “He is Irish – a heavy smoker, a heavy cougher, and a heavy drinker, but with a biting sense of humor as caustic as his outlook on life.” He just sold a screenplay to MGM, and will be leaving the Max Prince Show to go to Hollywood.
Kenny – “Neatly dressed…He is surely the most sophisticated of the writers.”
Carol – Has “a strong and quick defense system that comes with being the only female staff writer on the staff.”
Ira – A hypochondriac, who is chronically late to work. “He is all energy with a touch of brilliant madness.” Ira has a grudge against fellow writer, Brian.
Max Prince – “Exudes great strength. His strength comes more from his anger than from his physique. He dominates a room with his personality. You must watch him because he’s like a truck you can’t get out of the way of. He is quixotic, changing quickly from warm, infectious laughter to sullen anger. He is often monosyllabic, offering a word or two to convey his thoughts.”
Helen – An attractive secretary who has aspirations to become a comedy writer.