A SAMUEL FRENCH, INC. TITLE
Centennial Casting
Full-Length Play, Comedy / 2w, 3m
Gino DiIorio, Nancy Bleemer
This heartwarming, hilarious romantic comedy asks: What happens when you tell a little white lie to get closer to a woman you've fallen head over heels for?
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Cast Size
2w, 3m -
Duration
90 minutes -
Subgenre
Romantic Comedy -
Target Audience
Adult, Teen (Age 14-18)
Details
Summary
Vincent DiDonato is an overweight, unattached and unevolved goombah in his late forties who spends most of his time doing as little as possible at Centennial Casting, the metal casting shop he owns with his mother on Manhattan’s Lower East Side. When Vincent’s mom dies suddenly, he inherits the shop and is thrown into the front office, where he discovers a pile of headshots sent in by actors over the years that had mistaken the metal shop’s casting service for a theatrical casting agency. Vincent is struck by the photo of one Edie Keaton. Ms. Keaton, a down-on-her-luck actress in her late thirties, is trying to return to the business after a difficult divorce. Vincent, who has never been in a successful relationship, saves the picture and résumé. When his assistant and boyhood chum, Doo-Doo, realizes his boss is interested in Edie, he sets up an “interview” for the actress, hoping it might lead to a date for Vincent, his first in many years. Vincent reluctantly agrees to pose as a casting director in order to meet the actress, and when Edie walks in for her “audition,” he falls head over heels in love with her. Edie, in turn, is interested in Vincent, but is even more interested in getting an acting job.
As the ruse continues, Vincent and Doo-Doo realize they must heighten the stakes in order to keep the relationship going. What will happen when Edie discovers that Vincent is only posing as a casting director? Will true love triumph, or will the characters drown their sorrows in cannolis? The answer is a heartwarming, hilarious tale of two ordinary people in an extraordinary situation who find dreams can come true at Centennial Casting.
History
Performing Groups
- Time Period 1990s
- Setting New York City. 1999, just before the world changed.
- Features Contemporary Costumes/Street Clothes
- Duration 90 minutes
Media
“Utterly delightful... filled with humor and heart... an intriguing tale of love, humor and mistaken identity.” – Macaroni Kid
“A laugh-a-minute comedy that will lift just about anyone out of the winter blahs… This not-to-be missed comedy is a real pick-me-upper.” – Waterbury Republican
“A delightful blend of wit and charm… An extraordinary series of events is narrated in this heartwarming story that keeps the audience thoroughly engaged and entertained… Centennial Casting is more than just a comedy; it’s a celebration of the unpredictability of life and love. The play’s well-crafted scenes evoke both laughter and introspection, exploring each character’s journey with thoughtfulness… a theatrical experience that is both joyous and reflective, inspiring us to embrace the unexpected in life and love.” – Macaroni Kid
“A fast-paced romantic comedy.” – The Journal News
“A screwball comedy [with] sweet comedic moments… tongue-in-cheek references to the trade talk of acting and auditions… will bring a smile of recognition to those who are familiar with the jargon.” – Broadway World
“An excellent comedy of mistaken identities in the Shakespearean tradition.” – Times Herald Record
Licensing & Materials
- Minimum Fee: £55 per performance plus VAT when applicable.