Riverwalk Theatre
Directed by Michael Schacherbauer
Show: 2/6-16
Auditions: Sun./Mon. Dec. 8 & 9, 7 pm at Riverwalk Theatre
"The spark behind Leaving Iowa comes from being children of parents from the now dubbed "greatest generation." The story is a toast to their idealism and character and a little roast of their undying dedication to the classic family road trip. More specifically, it is the story of Don Browning, a middle-aged writer, who returns home and decides to finally take his father's ashes to his childhood home, as requested. But when Don discovers Grandma's house is now a grocery store, he begins traveling across Iowa searching for a proper resting place for his father. This father-and-son road trip shifts smoothly from the present to Don's memories of the annual, torturous vacations of his childhood. Don's existential journey leads him to reconcile his past and present at the center of the United States. Leaving Iowa is a postcard to anyone who has ever found himself or herself driving alone on a road, revisiting fond memories of his or her youth."
Don Browning – Adult writer, young boy in flashbacks. Must be believable as a child and not come across as an adult playing a child.
Dad – Don’s dad…appears in flashbacks as a younger dad and at times appears to Don as “ghost” dad reacting to Don’s thoughts. He is your “typical” dad that only wants the best for his children, but is not always accurate on what that should be.
Mom – Don’s mom, past and present…younger and older. She is always somewhere in between Dad and the kids. She loves her family very much.
Sis – Don’s sister, past and present…adult and young girl. As an adult, she knows how to push Don’s buttons. This is something she perfected as a young girl. As with Don, she must be believable as a child.
Multiple Character Guy #1 – 6 roles:
Bob – hog farmer, missing a hand
Uncle Phil – Don’s uncle, means well, but can be “too much”
Grandpa – Don’s grandfather
Joe Hoefingers – a scary farmer with a hoe
Amish Guy – Amish peddler at a flea market, could be a scam
Hotel Clerk – Unhappy old man
Multiple Character Guy #2 – 6 roles:
Fruit Cart Guy – man with a roadside produce stand
Cart Chaser – very excited grocery store employee
Jack Singer – Don’s childhood friend, now professor, lectures, is oblivious
Civil War Guy – Civil War performer/narrator, not necessarily good at it
Fred – auto mechanic, works on Don’s car, not too bright
Wayne – stoic waiter with mullet, think of Lurch on the “Adams Family”
Multiple Character Gal #1 – 5 roles:
Judy – hog farmer Bob’s wife, almost a philosopher
Aunt Phyllis – Don’s aunt, every bit “as much” as Uncle Phil
Grandma – Don’s grandmother, known for her “krispie” treats
Amish Gal – Amish peddler at a flea market, could be a scam
Drunk Lady – patron in a hotel, very emotional
Multiple Character Gal #2 – 6 roles:
Fruit Cart Gal – woman helping man with a roadside produce stand
Shopping Lady – woman in grocery store parking lot, a bit frantic
Museum Assistant – Civil War Guy’s assistant, a bit ditzy
Jamie – female auto mechanic, helps Fred, can we say “butch?”
Hotel Maid – no lines, works with Hotel Clerk, not happy
Jessie – a VERY talkative waitress
Perusal script available on request from producer Jane (jszussman@gmail.com) or Mike at the Riverwalk office. 482-5700. rwt@riverwalktheatre.com
Directed by Michael Schacherbauer
Show: 2/6-16
Auditions: Sun./Mon. Dec. 8 & 9, 7 pm at Riverwalk Theatre
"The spark behind Leaving Iowa comes from being children of parents from the now dubbed "greatest generation." The story is a toast to their idealism and character and a little roast of their undying dedication to the classic family road trip. More specifically, it is the story of Don Browning, a middle-aged writer, who returns home and decides to finally take his father's ashes to his childhood home, as requested. But when Don discovers Grandma's house is now a grocery store, he begins traveling across Iowa searching for a proper resting place for his father. This father-and-son road trip shifts smoothly from the present to Don's memories of the annual, torturous vacations of his childhood. Don's existential journey leads him to reconcile his past and present at the center of the United States. Leaving Iowa is a postcard to anyone who has ever found himself or herself driving alone on a road, revisiting fond memories of his or her youth."
Don Browning – Adult writer, young boy in flashbacks. Must be believable as a child and not come across as an adult playing a child.
Dad – Don’s dad…appears in flashbacks as a younger dad and at times appears to Don as “ghost” dad reacting to Don’s thoughts. He is your “typical” dad that only wants the best for his children, but is not always accurate on what that should be.
Mom – Don’s mom, past and present…younger and older. She is always somewhere in between Dad and the kids. She loves her family very much.
Sis – Don’s sister, past and present…adult and young girl. As an adult, she knows how to push Don’s buttons. This is something she perfected as a young girl. As with Don, she must be believable as a child.
Multiple Character Guy #1 – 6 roles:
Bob – hog farmer, missing a hand
Uncle Phil – Don’s uncle, means well, but can be “too much”
Grandpa – Don’s grandfather
Joe Hoefingers – a scary farmer with a hoe
Amish Guy – Amish peddler at a flea market, could be a scam
Hotel Clerk – Unhappy old man
Multiple Character Guy #2 – 6 roles:
Fruit Cart Guy – man with a roadside produce stand
Cart Chaser – very excited grocery store employee
Jack Singer – Don’s childhood friend, now professor, lectures, is oblivious
Civil War Guy – Civil War performer/narrator, not necessarily good at it
Fred – auto mechanic, works on Don’s car, not too bright
Wayne – stoic waiter with mullet, think of Lurch on the “Adams Family”
Multiple Character Gal #1 – 5 roles:
Judy – hog farmer Bob’s wife, almost a philosopher
Aunt Phyllis – Don’s aunt, every bit “as much” as Uncle Phil
Grandma – Don’s grandmother, known for her “krispie” treats
Amish Gal – Amish peddler at a flea market, could be a scam
Drunk Lady – patron in a hotel, very emotional
Multiple Character Gal #2 – 6 roles:
Fruit Cart Gal – woman helping man with a roadside produce stand
Shopping Lady – woman in grocery store parking lot, a bit frantic
Museum Assistant – Civil War Guy’s assistant, a bit ditzy
Jamie – female auto mechanic, helps Fred, can we say “butch?”
Hotel Maid – no lines, works with Hotel Clerk, not happy
Jessie – a VERY talkative waitress
Perusal script available on request from producer Jane (jszussman@gmail.com) or Mike at the Riverwalk office. 482-5700. rwt@riverwalktheatre.com
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