Natchez Little Theatre is hosting auditions for its January production of a hilariously funny campy murder mystery, “And Then There Was…Nun.”

Written in the style of a classic 1940s murder mystery, it is a blend of humor and who-dun-it as the actors emulate iconic movie stars of the past. This parody of Agatha Christie’s “Ten Little Indians” later renamed “And Then There Were None” for political correctness finds a gaggle of 10 Golden Age stars-turned-nuns attending a weekend retreat at a foreboding mansion on a secluded island retreat where death stalks them one by one.

The Holy Order of the Sisters of San Andreas consists of the sharpest tongues this side of Hollywood and Vine: Sister Gloria (Swanson), Sister Tallulah (Bankhead), Sister Marilyn (Monroe), Sister Judy (Garland), Sister Vivien (Leigh), Sister Hattie (McDaniel), Sister Mae (West), Sister Joan (Crawford), Sister Bette (Davis), Sister Alfred (Hitchcock), yes, Alfred. Stir in the unseen and mysterious leader, Mother Paramount, then infuse with a healthy dose of some of the most famous lines in cinema (slightly warped).

Roast well in a preheated treasure trove of movie facts, trivia, legends and gossip for two acts, sit back and savor. “And Then There Was…Nun” is a treat for movie buffs and non-movie buffs alike, and the cast might not all be what they appear to be.

Don Vesterse, NLT’s technical director and manager, will direct the production and is seeking 10 actresses and one actor from our community who can not only transform into looking like these famous actresses, but sound like them as well. The original production is a long-running hit in Hollywood and featured women as well as men playing these iconic actresses.

Auditions will be hosted in Natchez Little Theatre’s auditorium at 319 Linton Ave. at Maple Street in historic Natchez at 2 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.

No experience is necessary; just come read from the script. It wouldn’t hurt to come dressed as the character that you would like to portray. The production will run at Natchez Little Theatre Jan. 21 to 25.

At 2 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 6, and at 6 p.m. Monday, Dec. 8, Natchez Little Theatre will host auditions for its Spring Pilgrimage production of Louisa May Alcott’s “Little Women.”

The production will run on Monday, Wednesday and Friday evening throughout the Natchez Spring Pilgrimage, March 6 to April 6.

“Little Women” is a story that never grows old because it deals with the greatest of human emotions: a mother’s love for her children and their appreciation of it, and her. Set during the American Civil War, “Little Women” tells the story of a family in New England during that most stressful period.

For many generations, Louisa May Alcott’s “Little Women” has remained the most popular juvenile novel written by an American and the characters of Jo, Meg, Amy, Beth, Marmee, Aunt March, Laurie, Professor Bhaer and John Brooke have lived in and gladdened the hearts of millions upon millions of boys and girls all over the world.

I will direct “Little Women” and am open to casting the show with either a traditional white cast or an African-American cast to give the show a new twist. After the success of the Academy Award-winning film “12 Years a Slave,” we have been made more aware of free people of color living productive and prosperous lives in the northeast during the mid-1800s.

So, I am hoping to have a large number of actresses and actors to select from. And who knows, I might even have two casts. It will depend on turnout.

The cast of “Little Women” calls for four girls ranging in age from 11 to 20, two adult women, two young men ranging in age from 18 to mid 20s and two adult males.

For more information, visit NLT’s website at natcheztheatre.org of contact the theatre at 601-442-2233.

I hope to see you at auditions for Natchez Little Theatre’s “And Then There Was…Nun” and “Little Women.”

 

Layne Taylor is the NLT artistic and executive director and director of “Little Women.”