Inspired by the Oscar Wilde short story
“Lord Arthur Savile’s Crime”

DEVELOPMENTAL PRODUCTION OF A NEW MUSICAL

Coming November 13 for a two-week run, New Art City Theatre presents the developmental production of a new musical. Written by New Art City Theatre Founders and Executive and Artistic Directors Beverly Ward and Kirby Ward, with book by Kirby Ward and Beverly Ward, music and lyrics by Beverly Ward, in association with the VENTURA MUSIC FESTIVAL and BYWARD PRODUCTIONS SAN LLC.

Tickets available soon. Be the first in line. Click the button below to join our email list on our sign-up page. An announcement will be sent the moment tickets go on sale.

WANT TO AUDITION FOR THE SHOW?

We’d love to see you there! We’re seeking strong actors who sing very well and who can hold parts. Movement skills are a plus.

For AEA members only: the Equity Chorus Call in Ojai, CA August 10th, click this link (ECC). For the Equity Principal Audition in Woodland Hills, CA August 15th, click this link (EPA).

If you are non-union: you may audition at either call, but priority will be given to union auditioners. To request a non-union appointment time, please email audition@newartcitytheatre.org.

CONTRACT
Independent Theatre Contract referenced to an SPT Category 3 with a 30-hour work week. $457 weekly minimum plus pension and health for members of AEA.

THE PROJECT
Sunday After Next is darkly funny social satire, and all actors play multiple roles (except for the leading man). Successful applicants will have great comic instincts and be willing to roll with changes that may occur during the first few weeks of rehearsal. Above all, NACT seeks to foster a fun and collaborative work space where actors can make bold choices and take big chances, and where the process of creating new art is joyful.

PREPARATION
The score for Sunday After Next leans toward legit musical theatre. There is nothing pop or contemporary in the musical sensibility of the piece. Please be prepared with both an uptempo and ballad (though you may sing only part of one or the other). Please bring a headshot and resumé. An accompanist will be provided. Please bring your sheet music clearly marked, in the correct key.

PERSONNEL
Expected to attend: Founders/Co-Producing Executive and Artistic Directors: Beverly Ward and Kirby Ward
Director/Choreographer: Kirby Ward
Book by Kirby Ward and Beverly Ward
Music and Lyrics by Beverly Ward

OTHER
This is a six-week contract. The first three and a half weeks of rehearsals will be held in Los Angeles. During tech and the run, housing will be provided and may be in host homes with private room and bath and access to a kitchen.

DATES
1st Rehearsal: on or around October 13th, 2026. The show will rehearse five days a week, with two days off each week. (The full rehearsal schedule will be made available at the auditions)
Performances: Six performances between November 13 – 22, 2026.
Friday November 13 at 7 PM
Saturday, November 14 at 7 PM
Sunday, November 15 at 2 PM
Friday November 20 at 7 PM
Saturday, November 21 at 2 PM
Sunday, November 22 at 2 PM

If ticket sales warrant, a matinee performance may be added on Saturday, November 14 or the evening of Saturday, November 21.

SUNDAY AFTER NEXT
CHARACTER BREAKDOWN

ACTOR 1
LORD ARTHUR SAVILE – Male. Our leading man. Early to late 30s. Arthur is charming, sincere and forthright, but also suggestible. His misguided actions spring from the best of intentions. Desperately in love with his fiancé Sybil. The role requires the actor to sing to a high A and must be comfortable with physical comedy.

ACTOR 2
SYBIL MERTON – Female. Early 20s. Arthur’s fiancé. Beautiful and kind, but has a great sense of humor and more than a streak of rebel in her. The role requires an actress with a strong belt and equally strong head voice and must be comfortable with physical comedy. Actor also plays A COMRADE, a Russian revolutionary, full of machismo.

ACTOR 3
SAUNDERS – Male. Age 30s to 60s. Arthur’s valet and steadfast companion. His sense of duty to Arthur overwhelms his moral compass as he performs his services with dignity and devotion. Actor also plays THE DEAN OF CHICHESTER, an insufferable practical joker; A COMRADE, a Russian revolutionary, full of machismo; and a GENTLEMAN in the men’s club. Movement skills a plus.

ACTOR 4
PODGERS – Male. Age 30s to 60s. A con man who’s able to excite a crowd with his showmanship. Gives an impression of superiority and privilege, but is revealed in the end to be a bitter and caustic lowlife. Actor also plays: GUNTHER, a strange creature of a man with a thick German accent and a nasty disposition. Gunther has trouble modulating his voice. He’s loud. Actor also plays A COMRADE, a Russian revolutionary, full of machismo; and a GENTLEMAN in the men’s club; A BOAT REVELER. Movement skills a plus.

ACTOR 5
MRS. MERTON – Female. Age 40s to 50s. Sybil’s overbearing mother. Loves her daughter, but is demanding and uptight, and too concerned about appearances. A Wagnerian soprano would be great, but not essential. Actor also plays LUCY, one of the Dean’s annoying sisters; A COMRADE, a Russian revolutionary, full of machismo; and A BOAT REVELER. Movement skills a plus.

ACTOR 6
IGOR – Male. Age 40s to 50s. A revolutionary of unspecific Eastern European descent. Looks and sounds dangerous and imposing, but is actually very friendly and kind. Speaks with a thick accent. Big booming baritone or bass. Actor also plays DR SMYTHESON, a very refined, proper English doctor with a wry sense of humor; and A BOAT REVELER. Movement skills a plus.

ACTOR 7
LADY CLEMENTINA CLARKE – Female. Beyond elderly. She’s Arthur and Reggie’s second cousin. The most horrid, mean and miserable old woman. Actor also plays THE DUCHESS OF PAISLEY, age 50s to 60s, a wealthy, excitable, and easily flattered, twittery biddy; ALICE, one of the Dean’s annoying sisters; A COMRADE, a Russian revolutionary, full of machismo; A BOAT REVELER. Movement skills a plus.

ACTOR 8
HERR WINCKLEKOPF – Male. Age 40s to 60s. A German bomb maker, both eccentric and intimidating, but when playing with his “toys” (bombs!) he’s playful as a little child. Actor also plays SIR THOMAS, a professed bachelor with a hopeless romantic buried deep inside; A COMRADE, a Russian revolutionary, full of machismo; a GENTLEMAN in the men’s club; A BOAT REVELER. Movement skills a plus.

ACTOR 9
REGGIE – Male. Age 20s to 30s, Arthur’s younger brother. A playboy with no responsibilities or ambitions in life except to have a “ripping good time!” Actor also plays BILLY THE BARMAN, the friendly bartender at the Men’s Club; ROLPH, Lady Clem’s butler, older than Methuselah and the slowest person on earth; A GUEST at the engagement party; A COMRADE, a Russian revolutionary, full of machismo; A BOAT REVELER. Movement skills a plus.

ACTOR 10
Understudy for all female roles. Actor also plays PARTY GUEST, A COMRADE, A BOAT REVELER.