Description:

After a hugely successful preview run, Moving Bench Theatre is holding auditions for the full-length extension of "The Ballad of Lydia Pinkham's Magical, Miracle, Sure-Cure for All Female Weaknesses" being produced at the Greenhouse Theatre Center in November, 2019.

The hilarious, somewhat disturbing, (mostly) true tale of the first woman to ever be "trolled" through the media. With an eclectic mix of storytelling techniques, this play shines a comedic yet poignant light on how little things have changed for women in the limelight today. The year was 1873 and all Lydia Pinkham wanted to do was to help women in a time when getting medical advice was nearly impossible. Testimonials called her Vegetable Compound a miracle cure, but when her well-intentioned, dim-witted sons decided to use their mother's face on all the products and ads, it lit a firestorm of criticism and cruelty from the public. "The Ballad of Lydia Pinkham..." tells the tale of this stoic, heroic woman and the challenges she had to face in order to navigate and succeed in a man's world. The story will be told by a small ensemble who will each play multiple roles as well as add to the musicality of the tale.

Production Team:
Written by: Jenilee Houghton
Direction & Staging by: Chris Causer

Auditions will be held at About Face Theatre (5252 N Broadway, Chicago, IL 60640)

Characters:

*Some roles play an instrument. If you play, please specify which instrument in your email and how many years you have been playing. Video links showing your skill level also encouraged.

Lydia Pinkham: (Role has been cast)

Isaac Pinkham: (35-50s, open ethnicity) Husband to Lydia, Father to Dan & Will.

Dan Pinkham: (20s-35, open ethnicity) Oldest Brother, Son to Lydia.

Will Pinkham: (Role has been cast)

Woman 1/Narrator/Ensemble: (20s-40s, open ethnicity)

Woman 2/Narrator/Ensemble: (20s-40s, open ethnicity)

Woman 3/Narrator/Ensemble: (20s-40s, open ethnicity)

Virginia/Woman 4/Narrator/Ensemble: (20s-40s, open ethnicity)

Man 1/Operator/Narrator/Ensemble: (20s-50s, open ethnicity)

Time Commitment:
Rehearsals take place at About Face Theatre
Rehearsals start mid September
Tech Week: Monday, 11/4 - Thursday, 11/7
Performances: Nov 7-24 (Thursdays - Sundays) @ Greenhouse Theatre Center (2257 N Lincoln Ave, Chicago, IL 60614) Thurs, Fri, Sat @8pm Sun @2pm

Material To Prepare:
Please prepare 16 bars to sing acapella, or if you play an instrument you may accompany yourself.

If given an audition slot you will be sent sides to prepare.

Please bring headshot & resume, stapled together.