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AMATEUR ACTORS DRAWN TO COUNTRY `CAGE’ TRYOUT

You wouldn’t call them birds of a feather, but they all flocked to the Woodstock Opera House with the same goal–to be cast in the Woodstock Musical Theatre Company’s production of “La Cage aux Folles.”

Twenty-two would-be cast members came Monday and Tuesday from as far away as Elmhurst to read, sing and dance for the director, Mark Mahallak, during the open tryouts for the show’s 25 parts.

A Crystal Lake resident, Mahallak has been directing amateur productions for 10 years. He turned professional actor six years ago, although he said, “I’ve been acting since I was 11.”

He said, “Country theater is a good training ground for performers who want to get their feet wet.”

Trickling in through the Opera House stage entrance, the hopefuls signed in with Kathie Comella, who has played everything from a nun in “Nunsense” to the Wicked Witch of the West in the company’s recent production of “The Wizard of Oz.”

Once on the list, all were given copies of the script to familiarize themselves with the parts they wanted to read for Mahallak. After the individual readings, each had to sing and dance to earn a part in the show, which opens at the Opera House on April 16 and runs through May 9.

Many tried out for specific parts in what was described as a “broad comedy (with) rousing musical numbers.” But others, mostly WMTC regulars, seemed content to fill any role required, either backstage or out front.

Brian Sager is WMTC president and director of the company’s current production of “Nunsense II,” scheduled to run through Feb. 28. Sager tried out Monday for the starring role of Georges, whose 20-year relationship with Albin forms the basis of the plot.

But being WMTC president for the past 13 years does not necessarily bring clout to casting decisions. “It doesn’t mean a thing,” Sager said. “I’ve been doing theater for 30 years and I’ve lost many roles. That’s the process,” he said with a shrug and a smile.

Added Mahallak, “Their concept of what role they want to play and my vision of it may be diametrically opposed. You look at their age and ability. They have to fit the part and, of course, carry a tune.”

And although many do not fit the part they have in mind “about 75 percent say they’ll play any supporting role, anything at all,” he said.

Lou Czarny of Woodstock, a frequent performer in WMTC productions, plans to lend his talents to “La Cage aux Folles” as technical coordinator and scenic designer.

“I didn’t audition for this one because I may have a conflict on the first weekend,” he said Monday as he helped schedule potential cast members for their solo performances before Mahallak.

Czarny has been involved with the company since 1985.

“I auditioned for `The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas’ and got cast,” Czarny said. “That was it. I was hooked.” Since then he and his wife, Janie, have been involved in 48 productions, he said.

After reading and singing for Mahallak, Monday’s crop of hopefuls gathered as a group to run through a simple dance routine under the critical eye of Debbie Swinford, who is assisting Mahallak with choreography.

Although only 22 auditioned, Janie Czarny was nonplused at the close of the Tuesday night session.

“We’ll start rehearsals Monday, and we’ll be ready for opening night,” she said.