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Potato Gumbo
Performances

April 25, 2026 at 12:30:00 AM

Available

April 26, 2026 at 12:30:00 AM

Available

April 26, 2026 at 7:00:00 PM

Available

May 2, 2026 at 12:30:00 AM

Available

May 3, 2026 at 12:30:00 AM

Available

May 3, 2026 at 7:00:00 PM

Available

May 9, 2026 at 12:30:00 AM

Available

May 10, 2026 at 12:30:00 AM

Available

May 10, 2026 at 7:00:00 PM

Available

Potato Gumbo

By Jean Ciampi

Produced by special arrangement with Next Stage Press, LLC

A touchingly honest and, sometimes, zany look at the challenges of aging, Potato Gumbo tells the poignant story of Gretchen and Thomas, her dream, ill-gotten handcuffs, a diagnosis, and the adult children who must walk the fine line of parenting their parents.With the ideal recipe waiting at the New Orleans School of Cooking, Gretchen draws Thomas into her whimsical schemes. After an impromptu road trip ends with return under police escort, darkly serious issues begin bubbling up: Is Gretchens' "whimsy" declining mental faculties or worse? How much can one old heart endure? And when must elder care end and control begin?

The Players Theatre Company is holding open auditions for Potato Gumbo.


Touchingly honest and, sometimes, zany look at the challenges of aging, Potato Gumbo, by Jean Ciampi, tells the poignant story of Gretchen and Thomas, her dream, ill-gotten handcuffs, a diagnosis, and adult children who must parent parents. Gretchen’s efforts to create the ideal gumbo recipe lead to an impromptu road trip ends with return under police escort. Darkly serious issues begin bubbling up: Is Gretchen’s “whimsy” declining mental faculties ? How much can one old heart endure? When must elder care end and control begin?


Auditions

March 9 & 10

6:00 PM


Cold readings from the script


Headshots and resumes are appreciated but not required.


Rehearsals

Begin March 16


All experience levels welcome. Come ready to read, listen, and play.


Get a copy of the script:

https://www.nextstagepress.com/potato-gumbo/


Character Breakdown


Gretchen Nelsen: Older woman with a propensity to acquire things that don’t actually belong to her.


Thomas Trahan: An active, older widower who’s not quite ready to give in to just being old.


Barbara Winter: Gretchen’s responsible adult daughter who is trying to balance the challenges of becoming a parent to her parent.


Jack Trahan: Thomas’s easy-going and supportive adult son.


Jim Cappazolli: Older gentleman with a cane, a slightly outrageous wardrobe and the recipe for an assortment of cocktails.


Gail Johnson: Older woman. A true lady, and the friend we all wish we had.


Donna Holbrook: Administrator at Casa della Vecchia. A middle-aged woman who can be rather two-faced (and neither face is pretty).

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