“Murder by the Book” is sponsored by The Robert W. Pittenger Family. Supporting SVP and the arts for many years!
“Murder by the Book”
by
Produced by
Raymond Shinn and Michael A. Muller
Directed by:
Richard Butler
Director Richard Butler is seeking:
3 Males (Age 30+)
2 Females (Ages 20+)
Character | Sex | Age Range | Description |
Selwyn Piper | M | 40’s + | A successful literary critic and thriller writer who thinks very highly of himself. He is charming, witty, and amoral. Selwyn has a plan for every eventuality and values winning the game above all else, even when the stakes are life and death. |
Christine Scott | F | 20’s + | Selwyn’s secretary: a likeable and efficient young woman who displays unobtrusive charm. When she is framed for murder, she appears to be frazzled and vulnerable, but things are not always what they seem. She is later revealed to be calm, cool, and collected; the adult in the room. |
Imogen Piper | F | 40’s + | Selwyn’s estranged wife: a former actress who displays theatrical charm and composure which often fail to conceal her strangely mixed feelings for her husband. Like Selwyn, she has a sharp wit, and is almost as skilled at deadly manipulation as Selwyn. |
Peter Fletcher | M | Late 20s – Early 30s + | Selwyn’s neighbor: an amateur detective who takes a childlike delight in investigating a deadly crime. He displays a light-hearted manner and appears unable to take even the most solemn occasion seriously. During his most eccentric moments, however, he reveals flashes of acute intelligence. |
John Douglas | M | 40’s + | Selwyn’s publisher: a bluff, immaculately turned-out bachelor with an easy charm which disintegrates into bewilderment under stress. He is intellectually inferior to both Selwyn and Imogen and often fails to appreciate the import of the deadly games they play on each other. As a result, he becomes a pawn in their hands. |
NOTES FOR AUDITIONERS
All roles require an English accent. All roles open to any race/ethnicity. Readings will be from the script. Please bring acting resume and headshot as available. Age ranges in character breakdown are approximate and flexible. Please contact secretary@svptheatre.org with any questions.
PLEASE Sign-Up for Audition Times at:
Murder by the Book Auditions Signup Genius
Audition sides
Somerset Valley Players are committed to diverse, inclusive casting. Non-descript roles are available to all performers, regardless of age, sex, ethnicity, disability, race, color, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity or any other basis.
Please email secretary@svptheatre.org with any questions.
The show runs Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m.
June 9th through June 25th.
For further information call 908.369.7469
Made possible by funds from the Somerset County Cultural & Heritage Commission, a partner of the New Jersey State Council on the Arts.