"Enter Laughing," by Joseph Stein, is the semi-autobiographical coming of age story based on the novel written by Carl Reiner. Taking place in 1938, this hit play tells the hilarious story of a stage-struck, woman-struck young Jewish kid from the Bronx named David Kolowitz. The opening production of the Westport Community Theatre 2010 / 2011 season will be directed by Lester Colodny.

David is a delivery boy in a sewing machine factory. His boss, Mr. Foreman wants to train him to take over the business. His quintessential loving but domineering Jewish mother and overwhelmed father want him to become a druggist. David has other ideas. He dreams of being an actor despite his obvious lack of acting experience. One day, at his friend Marvin’s suggestion, David tries out for a part in a play, and gets it even though he’s not that good. Although discouraged by his parents and boss he leaves their dreams and his devoted girlfriend Wanda behind and is soon enlisted (and paying for) a slot as the “leading man” in a third-rate theatrical company while being seduced by the resident less-than leading lady, the daughter of the hammy “artistic director”. His baptism of fire is a hilarious first performance where everything that can go wrong, does.

“Joyously funny.”-New York Daily News

“Marvelously funny…Doesn’t provide enough rest periods between side splitting laughs.”-The New York Times

Performances Dates are September 24 – October 10, 2010

Auditions will consist of cold readings from the script. Familiarity with the play is suggested.

Characters:

DAVID: Tall, good looking, should pass for seventeen…outgoing, but shy in sexual encounters…one of those delightful boy wonders of the twenties and thirties who is going to make something of himself.

MARVIN: Short, same age as DAVID…a shnook.

MR FOREMAN: Older, at least fiftyish, an old fashioned manufacturer, nosy

WANDA: DAVID’s love, sweet young thing, pretty, about 17.

MARLOWE: An older theatrical impresario…one would think of him as a Shakespearian mandarin instead of a teacher in a third rate theater… father of Angela.

ANGELA: About twenty… Marlowe’s daughter… a would be sexy actress…. poetic, dumb as they come.

PIKE (male or female) Older, Marlowe’s asst, stuffy second banana.

MS B: About twenty five… gay, outgoing, exhilarating sex symbol.

FATHER and MOTHER: David’s pop… late forties or fifties… put-upon, tired… and typical Jewish mother , ruler of the roost.

WOMAN (MAYBE): Saleswoman, Jewish

ROGER: Thirties… the unwilling bachelor friend of Miss B who is about to roped into marriage.

YOUNG MEN: Two, about the same age as DAVID.

For further information please call the Westport Community Theatre at (203) 226-1983 or contact the director at grel...@optonline.net – for directions, please visit www.westportcommunitytheatre.com