Pack your bags! We’re going to hit the (metaphorical) road as we try make it to Death Valley (or bust) in our 34th Master Mystery Production. Spoofing on all the comedic headaches of a family road trip and tourism, we are putting a hilarious and mysterious spin for our next show. Just be glad this isn’t your family vacation. We need actors to help us tell the tale of a road trip gone awry. But watch out that you don’t get caught in a…
Tourist Trap
AUDITIONS
Friday and Saturday,
May 19 and 20, 2023
4 to 6 p.m. at Red Rock Books
206 W. Ridgecrest Blvd.
Tourist Trap is our most recent collaboration with Ridge Writers’ Weird Weekend, now entering its 10th year. Celebrating our local national parks and landmarks, the story is light-hearted and full of laughs about a wacky family trying to…take care of a very particular bit of luggage. Packed with socked sandals, Hawaiian print, and odd tan lines, this rambunctious group will have to tangle with missing baggage, crazy aunts, wild disguises, impromptu hiding places, suspicious, shifty eyes, and much more. All building to a finale none of them will ever suspect. We are so excited to put on this show, and we need performers to help us put it onstage.
Tourist Trap currently has five roles to fill.
Actors need to be age 13 and older to audition. Those under 18 will need a parent/guardian signature on a permission slip AND a parent/guardian MUST attend any and all rehearsals their child attends. Actors under 18 require a parent/guardian at the show dates.
The show dates are:
Friday, August 18 and Saturday, August 19, 2023
at 7:30 p.m. at Red Rock Books
During auditions, everyone will fill out an audition form which will ask for basics such as name, email, experience, availability, etc. These are just basics to give us an understanding on who the performer is as well as contact information. Then we pair up performers for cold readings of selected scenes from the original script by Daniel Stallings. Rehearsal schedule will be finalized after auditions based on actor availability. After auditions, casting emails will be sent out to everyone who auditioned for the show.
If you are unable to attend the posted audition dates, but are still interested in trying out, message us on Facebook or email us at mastermysteryproductions@hotmail.com to schedule an outside audition.
SYNOPSIS
The Morgensterns are lost. Lost in the desert with their packed VW van. Not exactly where you want to be while on your vacation to Death Valley. This family of five have come to a local bookstore to find “a less defective map,” but are soon beleaguered by car trouble that strands them there. But while trying to negotiate the fog of Yellow Page listings for a mechanic, crazy concerns are raised about “a special bit of luggage” they brought with them. Trying to move this special package around the store to avoid unwanted eyes proves to be a hilarious Herculean effort that might pop the seams of the façades our socked-and-sandalled family have put on. Just who are these bickering, laughable tourists? What really lies beneath the souvenir shades and loud Hawaiian prints? The Morgensterns don’t want anyone sticking their sunscreened noses into their business, and they aren’t afraid to resort to their own kind of tourist trap to keep their secrets safe. Celebrating the 90th anniversary of President Herbert Hoover officially declaring Death Valley a National Monument in 1933, Tourist Trap is a madcap road trip mystery where you get to try and uncover the answer of what the Morgensterns really got as a souvenir for this vacation.
CAST OF CHARACTERS
Bob Morgenstern – You ever hear the one about the henpecked father in Hawaiian print taking his family (plus a crazy sister-in-law) in his beat-up old van to Death Valley for a vacation? He was DEAD tired of them by the end. And they were dead tired of his dad jokes too after hundreds of miles on the road. And another thing…he’s dead serious that no one should touch the luggage except him.
Karen Morgenstern – Mother knows best in this family dynamic as Karen is clearly The Boss. She has planned for every eventuality and then some—from snake bites to sunburn to a zombie apocalypse. The ringleader of this ragtag bunch, Karen isn’t afraid to get her hands dirty when the time calls for action. Don’t mistake her bake sale sweetness and ice cream social smile for softness; This mama can be a real bear when she needs to be.
Della Reeves – We’re not sure what the stars were thinking when they foretold the arrival of Karen’s kooky New Age sister, Della. Robed in wild colors and wrapped in her own invented philosophy about the stars, the portents, the crystals, and the space invader auras, Della is the center of attention no matter where she goes. Good thing she is fascinated with people and will love to be your friend. No matter what.
Allie and Casey Morgenstern – Every rainbow needs a dark cloud, and amidst the bright prints and personalities of the other members of the family are these two black-clad teenage kids of Bob and Karen. Armed with sarcasm and sharp wit, these two don’t suffer fools gladly, even when having to put up with them for hours in a van. They’d love nothing more than to get out of the sun for a few…oh…hundred or so years.
Join us on our crazy road trip where every fork in the road leads to another funny twist. Start your theatre journey with us at Master Mystery Productions!
We welcome anyone and everyone who is interested to audition. No theatrical experience is necessary. We are always happy to take and develop new talent all the time. This will be a show where you can really get to play and go wild. If you have questions or concerns, email us at mastermysteryproductions@hotmail.com or message Master Mystery Productions on Facebook.
We will see you at auditions!
Master Mystery Productions 