Mauritius

By Theresa Rebeck, directed by Lynne Bolton

“Mauritius” rehearsals get underway – Lower Fairfield County premiere!

"Mauritius" at Westport Community Theatre

"Mauritius" at Westport Community Theatre runs February 11 – 27

Here’s a first look at WCT’s upcoming play “Mauritius” – lots more to come in the weeks ahead:

Clever, taut, entertaining, intriguing, disturbing… “Mauritius” is a finely crafted evening of puzzling intrigues, simmering vendettas, duplicitous lies, lying deceits, unexpected twists, family complexities, information and disinformation – all revolving around half-sisters, philatelists, and con artists vying for possession of a rare stamp. Drama, comedy and thriller in one, “Mauritius” is a tightly woven tale, “caper-style.” What you need to know is that the island of Mauritius, in the Indian Ocean off the coast of Madagascar, is famous for two of the rarest stamps in the world – “Post Office’ Penny Orange and Twopence Blue” – and that money, love and family can ultimately be the catalyst to people behaving very badly. Who knew stamp collecting could be a deadly hobby… The play was a smash hit when it opened on Broadway in 2007, and Westport Community Theatre is very pleased to present the first full production in lower Fairfield county.

Directed by Lynne Bolton, “Mauritius” features memorable performances by a stellar cast that includes Ammie Brown, Will Jeffries, Robyn Maitland, Bobby Pavia and Tom Petrone. Tickets are $14 – $20; for reservations and information contact the Box Office at (203) 226-1983.

Fridays and Saturdays February 11, 12, 18, 19, 25 and 26 at 8:00 PM

Thursday February 17 at 8:00 PM

Sundays February 13, 20 and 27 at 2:00 PM

“Mauritius” Auditions November 29 and 30 at 7:00 PM!

PLEASE NOTE:  Previously announced audition dates for Mauritius have been changed – please note NEW dates below:

Auditions at Westport Community Theatre for "Mauritius"

Auditions November 29 and 30 at 7:00 PM

WESTPORT COMMUNITY THEATRE

Announces AUDITIONS for

Mauritius

By Theresa Rebeck

Directed by Lynne Bolton

Auditions will be held:

Monday, November 29 & Tuesday, November 30 at 7:00 PM

Westport Community Theatre

Westport Town Hall, 110 Myrtle Avenue,

For directions, go to www.westportcommunitytheatre.com

Stamp collecting is far more risky than you think. After their mother’s death, two estranged half-sisters discover a book of rare stamps that may include the crown jewel for collectors. One sister tries to collect on the windfall, while the other resists for sentimental reasons. In this gripping tale, a seemingly simple sale becomes dangerous when three seedy, high-stakes collectors enter the sisters’ world, willing to do anything to claim the rare find as their own. The five characters in Mauritius pair up and face off in shifting configurations, the emotionally fraught edges of their twisty encounters made all the more intriguing by the fact that items as apparently innocuous as postage stamps fuel the friction. Combining the most thrilling aspects of Alfred Hitchcock, Raymond Chandler, and David Mamet, Mauritius is a gripping blend of sharp comedy and heart-pounding drama that simmers with constant surprise.

“The sort of well-made, engrossing and unpretentious play rarely encountered on Broadway these days, Mauritius is a welcome introduction to the fall season.” –The Hollywood Reporter

Auditions will consist of cold readings from the script. Familiarity with the play is suggested. Performance dates are February 11 – February 27, 2011.


Characters:

Jackie: (Age 25-40) Feisty, life-bruised younger sister who wants to sell the stamp collection to liquidate her inheritance.

Mary: (35-50) Seemingly genteel older sister of Jackie who wants to keep the stamp collection for sentimental reasons.

Sterling: (Male, Age 50-65) A wealthy stamp collector with a hair-trigger temper and enough money to buy whatever he wants.

Phillip: (Age 45-60) Owner of a dusty, philately (stamp) shop. An amateur collector who knows the value of rare stamps.

Dennis: (Age 30-45) An oily-tongued dude of indeterminate employment determined to make a profit on Jackie’s rare stamps.
For further information, please call the Westport Community Theatre at (203) 226-1983 or contact the director at lynnebolton@aol.com