Mixed Nuts, a screw-ball musical comedy by Jim Hogue, will be performed at the Unadilla Theatre from August 24 - 31 (and later at the Vergennes Opera House).

The play is about 6 inmates from the Vermont State Hospital who escape to make Vermont an independent Republic.

Mixed Nuts is music from the 20s and 30s, and a cast of independence-minded eccentrics from the Vermont State Hospital who have prepared a vaudeville review on the History of Vermont directed by Dr. Elizabeth Darcy. The bizarre crew of entertainers is lead by a re-incarnated, unpredictable, and loveable Ethan Allen.

For more info contact Jim Hogue, 802 456 1123 jimhogue@earthlink.net.

I'll be updating the progress of Mixed Nuts, daily, I hope.

For now please note that I'm casting the play, and all are welcome to call me to express interest. Some positions, especially that of producer are paid. Anyone able to help in any area is more than welcome. And anyone whose company would like to take out an ad in the program may call me to reserve space.

I'm also hoping to line up a tour of Vermont venues, so if you have contacts, please pass them along.

There is more information about my theatre company here: www.earnestproductions.org, and the section, "About Us", is just that, and should give you an idea of the level of work we do and the level of success we attempt to reach, and sometimes do.

Here is the cast list.

Cast List

Jane Sly - a local drunk. Age 35-65.
Ethan Allen - Age 35-70. Sings and Dances.
William Brodeur - middle-aged, average looking businessman, competent and reliable, hospitalized because he was suffering from memory loss and disorientation.
Curt Brueckner - late fifties to mid sixties, irascible, tough, strong, clever, and the leader of the “boys.”
Caleb O’Neill - quiet, 30-45, also competent, reliable and decisive, recovering from a nervous breakdown.
Ira Voichik - young, silent, apparently mentally deficient, very shy, with nervous habits such as tearing paper and a slight stutter.
John Lapage - 30-50. He is a mimic and pianist, but his spot-on imitation is Chico Marx. He tends to find an appropriate character from WC Fields to Napoleon Dynamite. Plays piano.
(A barbershop quartet will be cast for 4 of the 5 Green Mountain Boys if possible. Second choice is a trio. All must move well.)

Dr. Darcy is lovely, shy, sensitive, wise, intelligent, and perceptive; and she is a good ballroom dancer. Age 25-35. Sings.
Dr. Gottlieb is a psychiatrist - self-important and lacking imagination. He has a German or Hungarian accent, and he is reminiscent of the Gottlieb in “A Night at the Opera.” Age 45-65.
Dr. Carroll - director of the hospital. Age 40-60. Alto.
Mike - an attendant. Age 25-40. Tenor or high Baritone.
Mr. Decker - head of security. Age 35-55.
Sgt Versagnino - detective, Groucho Marx-like in spirit. 30-55.
Officer Ratchet - the villain. Age 25-40.
A news person - Age 23-45 either sex.
Karl Taylor - a friend of the boys, grizzled. Age 35-80.