The Ringgold Playhouse will hold open auditions for its second production of 2018, Sam Shepard's "True West," beginning Monday, Feb. 19. 

With TRP's season set to open Feb. 15 with the romantic comedy "Almost, Maine," the company is already looking to cast "True West," which will run for seven performances in late April.

The play will be directed by Joanna Lewis, and auditions will consist of cold reads from the script, which has roles available for three males and one female.

Review for the play:  

Perhaps the signature work of the late great Sam Shepard, "True West" offers a twisted tale of sibling rivalry as two brothers square off in their mother’s lonely house near the California desert. This American classic explores the clash over a film script between Austin, the achiever screenwriter, and his demented, petty thief brother, Lee. All is well in life for Austin, who is working on a script he has sold to producer Sal Kimmer, until his older broth arrives turning his world upside down. Lee swoops in and pitches his own idea for a movie to Kimmer, who then wants Austin to junk his bleak, modern love story and write Lee's trashy Western tale.

Character breakdown: 

Austin: (Early to late 30s): Sensible, nice, appealing, educated family man; a guy who has worked hard to escape the legacy of his alcoholic father and has managed to forge his own identity as a writer. He’s desperate to finish and make sale of his new script despite the tension and distraction of his older brother. 

Lee: (Mid 30s to early 40s): Austin's older brother, a drifter, con-man, jack-of-all-trades. Seems to not care about success or material things, but is envious of his younger brother's accomplishments. He’s cunning, dangerous, charming, charismatic, funny, and has reached the end of his rope when he drops in on his little brother with nothing: no money, no car, and no future plans. 

Saul: (40s – 50s): A Hollywood movie producer. A real grinder who’s worked hard to obtain his current status. Friendly and likeable, but is a shrewd businessman underneath the facade.
MOM (60-plus): Austin and Lee's mother. A featured role, as she only appears in the final scene, but a heartbreaking and layered character.  

Production dates for the show are April 19-21 and 26-28 at 7:30 p.m. with a matinee performance Saturday, April 28, at 2 p.m. 

Anyone seeking additional information about auditions may email TRP at TheRinggoldPlayhouse@gmail.com. 

Director Joanna Lewis
- Photo2 by TRP