Appointments can be made by calling the Garland Civic Theatre office at 972.485.8884, and are required for all auditions. Potential cast members should bring a headshot and resume to their appointment, but no experience is required. There are 18 roles for a variety of men and women, ages 18 to 75, in this ethnically diverse cast. The audition will consist of cold readings from the script. A one minute comedy monologue is optional.
The story of Heaven Can Wait has been filmed twice. The first time was in 1941 under the title Here Comes Mr. Jordan, featuring Robert Montgomery as Joe Pendleton; Warren Beatty starred in (and directed) the 1978 remake, which was titled Heaven Can Wait.
As the play opens, Mr. Jordan is checking passengers who are to depart on an airplane to the Hereafter. The routine is interrupted by the arrival of Joe Pendleton, an attractive prizefighter who refuses to admit he is dead. And indeed, it turns out that Joe’s death was premature! But just as he starts to return to Earth, word reaches Heaven that Max, Joe’s manager, has had Joe’s body cremated, leaving him without a body to return to. Mr. Jordan promises to find Joe another body and learns that wealthy Jonathan Farnsworth is about to be murdered by his wife. Joe suddenly finds himself in the home of the financier – visible as Joe to the audience but apparently looking like Farnsworth to Mrs. Farnsworth and the rest of the cast.
Performances of Heaven Can Wait will be held October 2 – 25, 2008 at the Granville Arts Center, 300 North Fifth Street in downtown Garland. Visit the GCT website or call 972-485-8884 for additional information.
