Show Synopsis
Fifty years ago nine people, including two Catholic priests, entered the Selective Service office in Catonsville, MD and removed 378 draft cards and burned them in the parking lot with homemade napalm to protest the war in Vietnam. Based on the trial transcripts, the play delves into the moral and religious
motives of the nine, and why they determined “the burning of paper not children” was preferable.
Character Breakdown
DANIEL BERRIGAN: 49, Jesuit priest and poet – aware of his personal magnetism – gaunt and ascetic with an impish sense of humor.
PHILIP BERRIGAN: 47, Josephite priest – tall, massive, handsome, and
impatient and fearless man with a radiant and irresistible good nature.
DAVID DARST: 26, brilliant Harvard scholar – taught as a Christian Brother – ingenuous, clean-cut.
JOHN HOGAN: 33, former Maryknoll brother – the quietest and most retiring of the Nine – gentle man trained as a carpenter.
THOMAS LEWIS: 28, genial and boyish – former star half-back trained as an artist – taught subject in inner city schools and Catholic colleges.
MARJORIE MELVILLE: 38, looks younger, former Maryknoll nun – short and dainty, she radiates wholesome charm with an underlying shrewdness.
THOMAS MELVILLE: 37, former
Maryknoll priest – husband of Marjorie – strong, direct, giving an impression of solid respectability.
GEORGE MISCHE: 32, massive, cocky, flamboyant – had worked with delinquent youths, widely traveled – most bellicose of the Nine.
MARY MOYLAN: 32, graduated from Johns Hopkins as a nurse – impeccably groomed and the image of middle-class American
wholesomeness.
What To Prepare
A prepared monologue would be wonderful but not absolutely necessary. You will be asked to cold read from the script. When you sign up for an appointment at Sign-Up Genius, add a note that you would like to receive the sides for the audition. Please bring a copy of your headshot and resume to the audition. Submitting it prior, via email, is not necessary unless you do not have a physical copy of your
headshot.
Additional Info
During this same time we are holding open auditions for our last two shows which you are welcome to be considered for as well. More info on those show is on the Sign-Up Genius page.
