The Nance

By Douglas Carter Bean

Directed by Steve Noll

In 1930s New York, burlesque is a dying art. Between the dancing girls were male comedians. Chauncey is one of the best, and his signature act is playing a sissy man, what was called a "nance." But Chauncey harbors a secret. While he pretends to be a straight actor pretending to be gay on stage, in real life he is a very closeted gay man. When new-to-the-city Ned hooks up with Chauncey, he finds his personal life crashing into his on-stage life while the mayor of New York starts cracking down on the "perverts" in the city. A comedic drama with music, from the author of As Bees in Honey Drown and The Little Dog Laughed.

Produced by Madison Theatre Guild at Bartell Theater's Drury Stage, 113 E. Mifflin St. , Madison

Performances: April 21 - May 6, 2017

Performance Times:
Friday, Apr 21 - 7:30, Saturday, Apr 22 - 7:30, Thursday, Apr 27 - 7:30, Friday, Apr
28 - 7:30, Saturday, Apr 29 - 7:30, Sunday, Apr 30 - 2:00 pm, Thursday, May 4 - 7:30, Friday, May
5 - 7:30, Saturday, May 6 - 2:00 pm

Ticket Prices: $20

Call 608-661-9696 for reservations or more information.

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Auditions

Auditions will be held on the following days:

1/16/2017
1/17/2017

Character breakdown (all roles open and will be cast race neutral):

--Chauncey Miles, male, a closeted gay burlesque comic who plays a "nance" on stage. Witty, sarcastic but bitter. Must read in his 40s.
--Ned, male, must read 20s. Young and innocent, he has a secret relationship with Chauncey, later he becomes a stage performer. Role includes brief nudity.
--Ephraim, male. Must read older. Lead comedian and manager of the theatre. Gruff.
--Sylvie, female, a burlesque dancer, must read 20s or early 30s. Member of Communist party and not afraid to argue politics.
--Joan, female, a burlesque dancer, 20s. More innocent and vivacious.
--Carmen, female, a burlesque dancer, must read 20s or 30s. Specializes in playing onstage with exaggerated Latin-American accent.

Note: the three female dancers will have choreographed burlesque dance numbers with sexy costumes, but no nudity.

Auditions: Monday, Jan 16th & Tuesday, January 17th -- 7:00 each night -- at the Bartell Theatre, 113 E Mifflin St. If you can't attend either, contact the producer or director.
What to prepare: You will be asked to do cold readings from the script. Please also bring a completed audition form (available on Madison Theatre Guild's website) and a calendar marked with any conflicts.

Performances: Friday, Apr 21 - 7:30, Saturday, Apr 22 - 7:30, Thursday, Apr 27 - 7:30, Friday, Apr
28 - 7:30, Saturday, Apr 29 - 7:30, Sunday, Apr 30 - 2:00 pm, Thursday, May 4 - 7:30, Friday, May
5 - 7:30, Saturday, May 6 - 2:00 pm

Casting Decisions: Casting decisions will be made as soon as possible. Please be patient. We will contact everyone by phone or e-mail. In addition, the cast list will be posted on the Madison Theatre Guild website shortly after people are notified.
Rehearsals will begin Monday, March 6th and will be Monday – Thursday, 7:00 to 10:00 pm, at the MTG Firehouse, 2410 Monroe Street, Madison.
Please contact the producer, Jim Chiolino, Jim.Chiolino@MadisonTheatreGuild.org or director, Steve Noll, sdnoll@yahoo.com with any questions.