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Anatomy of a Murder Audition InformationAuditions Sunday, November 9th at 2pm. Potential callbacks Monday November 10th 7pm.
Director: Bruce Thorburn
Assistant Director: Mark Palise
Producer: Patricia Insley
If you have any questions, or would like a PDF copy of the script, please reach out to the director Bruce at [email protected]
Auditions cuts can be found at www.ridgedaleplayers.com/auditions
STORY OF THE PLAY
Defeated for re-election after serving six years as District Attorney of Iron Cliffs County, Paul Biegler is dispirited at the prospect of having to establish himself as a defense attorney. But the first case that comes his way is a sensational one: he takes on the defense of an army lieutenant accused of the cold-blooded murder of a bartender, who had allegedly raped the lieutenant's wife. Biegler's handling of the case is complicated by the intense dislike he develops for his client, as well as by the distractions provided by the lieutenant's seductively attractive wife. Aided only by an aging, retired, boozing lawyer friend, Parnell McCarthy, Biegler fights desperately against the forces of the state, as represented by a shrewd member of the Attorney General's staff from the state capital, as well as by the slick. young man who has taken away Biegler's job as D. A. It is a see-saw battle all the way, one dramatic courtroom confrontation following another, as Biegler uses every device available to him in evidence and in law to save the lieutenant's neck. Victory or defeat? The irony is that there's a measure of both for the new attorney for the defense.
ADDITIONAL NOTES
In 1952, in Big Bay, Michigan (in the UP), Army Lieutenant Coleman Peterson shot and killed Mike Chenoweth, the owner of The Lumberjack Tavern. Peterson's wife, Charlotte, claimed Chenoweth had raped her, and Peterson's defense, led by John D. Voelker, argued for temporary insanity. After a trial, the jury found Peterson not guilty by reason of temporary insanity. Voelker, a practicing lawyer in the area, based his 1958 novel Anatomy of a Murder on the actual case. The novel was adapted into the critically acclaimed 1959 film of the same name, directed by Otto Preminger. The film is known for its realistic portrayal of the legal process and its use of the same Michigan locations where the real events occurred, including The Lumberjack Tavern. The play was written after the film and was based more directly on the novel.
Character Descriptions (Ages listed are for character reasons, actors aren't required to be age listed.)
Paul Biegler (Male, 50s): Former District Attorney taking on his first case as a Criminal Defense Attorney in a high profile, sensational murder case. Folksy, intelligent, think Jimmy Stewart.
Parnell McCarthy (Male, 40s-50s): Assistant and old friend to Paul Biegler. Possibly of Irish appearance and temperament. Cynical, dislikable character.
Lt. Fredrick Manion (Male, 30s-40s): Defendant in Murder trial. Husband of Laura Manion. Dislikable
Laura Manion (Female, 20s-30s): Victim of alleged rape. Married to Lt. Manion. Attractive, seductive.
Judge Weaver (Male, 40s-60s): Judge in murder trial. Laid back authority, good sense of humor.
Claude Dancer (Male, 30s-50s): Lawyer in Attorney General's office; Lead prosecutor. Highly skilled attorney, slick, "big city type". Intelligent and verbally dexterous.
Paquette (Male, 20s-50s): Bartender at murder victim's bar.
Mitch Lodwick (Male or Female, 20s-50s): County prosecutor and 2nd chair to Claude Dancer in murder trial.
Grover Gleason (Male or Female, Flexible Age): Court reporter. Business like, a bit acerbic.
Clovis Pidgeon (Male or Female, Flexible Age): Court clerk to Judge Weaver
Dr. Homer Raschid (Male or Female, 40+): County coroner who performed autopsy on deceased.
Det. Sgt. Julian Durgo (Male, 30s-50s): Detective with state police, lead detective in murder case.
Dr. W. Harcourt Gregory (Male or Female, 40+): Psychiatrist for prosecution.
Dr. Matthew Smith (Male or Female, 40+): Psychiatrist with the Army. Defense witness.
Mr. Lemon (Male or Female, 30+): Trailer park owner.
Warren Burke (Male or Female, 20+): Photographer for local studio; photographed Laura Minion on night of murder.
Jurors (Any): Non speaking roles, approximately 3
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