BORN YESTERDAY. Garson Kanin's Classic 1946 - post 2nd World War era-
Comedy! Directed by KEVIN SLAY. Asst Director HOPE KAUFMAN. A shady ...
BORN YESTERDAY
Garson Kanin's Classic 1946 - post 2nd World War era- Comedy!
Directed by KEVIN SLAY Asst Director HOPE KAUFMAN A shady businessman shows up in Washington to lobby agendas that are friendly to his construction plans. His ditsy ex-showgirl bimbo proves to be an embarrassment in social situations, so he hires a reporter to teach her how to appear more intelligent. Soon it becomes apparent to the reporter that she isn't so stupid after all, and things become more complicated as she begins questioning the papers her sugar daddy keeps getting her to sign, and the reporter begins falling in love with her. CHARACTER DESCRIPTION: Billie Dawn: 20-early30’s. Beautiful, blonde (preferably) with a very tough exterior to protect herself from Harry Brock’s physical and emotional abuse. She has been raised to believe she has nothing to offer outside of her physical beauty. During the course of the play, we see her gain self confidence and to become a truly beautiful woman, through-and-through. Harry Brock: 35-45. Rough, abusive, caustic. Brock is one of those men who feels the world owes him something, and he’s going to take it by any means necessary. He is a bull in a china shop. No grace and no finesse. Paul Verral: late 20’s to mid 30’s. Handsome, well-educated newspaperman who has come to town to discredit Harry Brock in newspaper articles. He becomes Billie Dawn’s tutor and, eventually, the two gain an affection for each other. Ed Devery: 35-45ish. Harry’s right-hand man. You get the sense he’s always carrying a gun and that he is the one who gets Harry out of every sticky situation. Sen. Norval Hedges: mid 50’s +. A worthless politician. He’s one of those political figures who has never done anything remarkably good or bad in his career, and therefore keeps getting reelected. He’s part of the “Old Boy Network.” Mrs. Hedges: Same approx. age as Sen. Hedges. She is the dutiful politician’s wife: far more concerned with putting on appearances than she is in actually doing anything. Eddie Brock: 20’s to early 30’s. Harry’s younger brother and his only other trusted accomplice. Eddie is a yes man to anything Harry says. HOTEL STAFF: The Assistant Manager: 40’s ish. Very professional, knows how to keep from noticing anything that his wealthier customers get up to. Helen: any age, though her wisdom would suggest someone at least in her late-30’s. She is far more intelligent than her position of hotel maid would require. You get the sense Helen has seen everything. She is at the same time
worldly and world-weary. Probably a racial minority as well. A Bellhop: A young man, no more than early 20’s. Does his job quickly, quietly and efficiently. Another Bellhop: Any age. Character will be developed based on the actor cast. A Barber: 40’s +. In the days after the war, a barber at a luxury hotel would be looked up to. He is classy, efficient and has an air about him. Though he doesn’t say much, he should have presence. A Manicurist: A young woman. A Bootblack: A young man, teens to early 20’s. A Waiter: Also a young man, no more than 30. All the hotel staff must give the appearance of being a team who work at this hotel. They will be in uniform and perform their jobs professionally and quietly, though each will have a distinct character of their own. It would be ideal to have a few be Hispanic and/or African American, as would be fitting to the period right after WW.
