CASTING CALL / AUDITIONS

ECCENTRICS IN OJAI? HARD TO BELIEVE!: Auditions will be held Monday and Tuesday for the musical revue “Ojai Eccentricities, 1993” by local playwright Mel Bloom. The production is a series of sketches and new lyrics to familiar songs, says co-producer Evelyn Raft, centered on the qualities that make Ojai and its residents unique. Director Beverly Rose is looking for six men and six women “between 18 and 98 . . . who can carry a tune and do basic dance routines,” and a team of male and female narrators between the ages of 30 and 55 who can interact (we infer), something like a cross between a married couple and the 11 o’clock news team. Prospective participants should show up at the Ojai Art Center, 113 S. Montgomery St., at 7 p.m. either night. If you’re going to sing or dance, bring a cassette tape or sheet music and an accompanist will be available.

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FOR PUTTING YOU TO THIS MUCH TROUBLE, THEY SHOULD PAY (BUT THEY DON’T): The Ojai Shakespeare Festival will hold open auditions the afternoons May 1 and 2 for the summer productions of “The Taming of the Shrew” and “Romeo and Juliet,” both under the supervision of artistic director Paul Backer. Both shows play the first three weekends in August, “Shrew” afternoons only and “Romeo” evenings only. All roles are said to be open, with casting “non-Equity, gender blind (and) without respect to ethnicity,” which could make for some mighty interesting productions.

Aspiring actors should prepare a one- to two-minute monologue from any Shakespearean play, and prepare a physical presentation--tumbling, fencing, juggling or comedy--of up to one minute. You should be familiar with the play and be prepared for a cold reading from the script. Also, bring your acting resume and 8-by-10 glossies if you have ‘em. Callbacks will be the evenings of May 4 and 5. For an audition appointment or information, call Rivkeh at 640-1909.