Open audition notice for Between Riverside and Crazy by Stephen Adly Guirgis – March 31 & April 1 (2025)

Auditions will be held Mon & Tue, March 31 and April 1 starting at 7:00 pm both nights.
Production dates: May 23- June 8, 2025

Directed by Robert-Wayne Waldron
Produced by Christina Tomazinas-McQuinn & Rick Flynn

Stephen Adly Guirgis’s “Between Riverside and Crazy” delivers a raw, darkly comedic look at urban life through the lens of Walter “Pops” Washington and his son, Junior. Set in a rent-stabilized New York City apartment, the play explores themes of family, redemption, and the struggle to navigate a complex world.

Pops, a former cop battling the NYPD in a lawsuit, clings to his home as a sanctuary, while Junior, recently paroled, seeks a fresh start. Their lives intertwine with eccentric houseguests, revealing past traumas and present-day challenges. The play masterfully blends humor with poignant drama, exposing the characters’ flaws and vulnerabilities.

Casting Requirements:

  • Auditions will consist of cold readings from the script.
  • A résumé and headshot are not required but are appreciated.
  • Please provide a list of all known conflicts.

CHARACTERS:

Walter “Pops” Washington: 50-60’s A retired black NYPD officer who is central to the story. He’s a complex character, filled with anger, wit, and vulnerability, as he struggles with his past, his identity, and his ongoing legal battle with the police department.

Junior: 20-30’s Pops’ son, who has recently moved back in with him. He’s trying to turn his life around but is also tangled in questionable activities and relationships.

Oswaldo: 20-30’s A recovering addict and one of Junior’s friends. He’s staying with Pops and has moments of both humor and poignancy as he works on his sobriety.

Lulu :20-30’s Junior’s girlfriend, who is cheerful but perhaps a bit naïve. She often provides comic relief while also revealing deeper emotional layers.

Church Lady: 30-40’s An enigmatic and spiritual figure who visits Pops. Her presence in the play adds an unexpected and surreal twist.

Lieutenant Caro: 40-50’s A current NYPD officer and friend of Pops. He brings tension into the story as he tries to navigate loyalty and duty.

Detective O’Connor, 40-50’s, is Pops’ former partner on the NYPD. She is a layered character, torn between her personal loyalty to Pops and her professional responsibilities.

For more information, please contact Rick Flynn.

Dayton Theatre Guild is a community theatre that values community representation, and we are committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion on and off stage. People of all ethnicities, gender identities, and abilities are welcome and encouraged to participate and will be given full consideration in casting and all volunteer opportunities. Unless explicitly specified by the playwright in the text of the play, all roles will be open to all performers.