Audition Notice
ROMANTIC COMEDY
DATES: July 13 & 14, 2026
TIME: 6:30 pm
LOCATION: Coaster Theatre Playhouse
PERFORMANCE DATES: September 5-October 5, 2026 (16 shows)
WRITTEN BY Bernard Slade
DIRECTED BY Patrick Lathrop
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LOVE, FRIENDSHIP AND THEATRICAL DRAMA
Arrogant, self-centered and sharp-tongued Jason Carmichael, successful co-author of Broadway romantic comedies, is facing two momentous events: he is about to marry a society belle and his collaborator is retiring. Enter Phoebe Craddock, Vermont schoolteacher and budding playwright. Quicker than a flash, Jason acquires a talented and adoring collaborator in the mousy Phoebe. Fame and success have been theirs for ten years and then Jason’s world falls apart. His wife divorces him to go into politics and Phoebe, her love for Jason unrequited, marries a breezy journalist and moves to Paris. Jason goes into professional, financial and physical decline as a newly chic Phoebe returns, solo and successful.
Fame and success are theirs for over a decade and then real-life suddenly changes for both – but for better or worse? Can two writers of romantic comedies make real life just as exciting? Can everyday life measure up to the perfection of on-stage romances and fairy-tale happy endings?
CHARACTERS
JASON CARMICHAEL (Male, 40s-50s, British): A successful but arrogant Broadway playwright whose journey spans from self-centered success through personal destruction to potential redemption. Uses wit and sarcasm to mask emotional immaturity. His affair with Kate destroys his relationships, leading to decline and a heart attack that catalyzes his growth into someone capable of genuine love.
BLANCHE DAILEY Female, 40s-60s, American): Jason’s agent and moral compass—a former showgirl with a sharp tongue who combines street smarts with loyalty. Serves as Jason’s surrogate mother and conscience throughout the play’s nine-year span. Famous for telling Jason to “try to be a better person.”
PHOEBE CRADDOCK (Female, 20s-30s, American): Initially a naive Vermont school teacher who transforms into a confident, accomplished playwright. Possesses genuine talent and integrity. Her arc. moves from eager admirer to independent artist who can meet Jason as an equal. Represents artistic authenticity and the capacity for both forgiveness and self-respect.
ALLISON ST JAMES (Female, 30s-40s, American): Jason’s society belle wife who represents conventional marriage and social standing. Gradually she becomes isolated from Jason’s creative world and aware of his feelings for Phoebe. Eventually divorces Jason to pursue her own political ambitions, growing from dependent wife to independent woman.
LEO JANOWITZ (Male, 30s-40s, American): An intelligent, emotionally mature journalist who marries Phoebe when she flees her unrequited love for Jason. Contrasts sharply with Jason’s emotional immaturity. Ultimately demonstrates understanding and generosity by recognizing he cannot compete with Jason and Phoebe’s connection.
KATE MALLORY (Female, 30s-40s, American): A manipulative Hollywood actress whose affair with Jason serves as the catalyst for his downfall. Represents the shallow, ego-driven aspect of show business. Her pushiness contrasts with Phoebe’s genuine talent and integrity, causing Jason to compromise both artistic and personal relationships.
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