Photo Courtesy of the Surry Arts Council

Director Stan Bernstein is set to direct “Welcome to Mitford.”

slideshow

For thespians, or even people simply wanting to take a turn on stage, now is the chance.

In the wake of a super-successful run of the holiday favorite “A Christmas Story,” the Surry Arts Council is seeking performers for the stage version of “Welcome to Mitford,” the comedy/drama by Robert Inman.

The play is adapted from the Mitford novels by Jan Karon, and auditions are set for Jan. 12 at 1:30 p.m. at the Andy Griffith Playhouse.

It will be directed by Stan Bernstein and is being produced by special arrangement with The Dramatic Publishing Company of Woodstock, Ill.

According to council Director Tanya Jones, producers are looking for 23 cast members ranging from children ages 10 and older, to adult males and females.

And the story line is ripe with dramatic interludes interspersed with comedic situations.

“Father Tim is the beloved bachelor who leads the flock of the Lord’s Chapel in the mountain community of Mitford,” she said. “His life changes radically when he takes in the teenager Dooley Barlow — an unruly orphan — and even more radically when a pretty and perky children’s author moves in next door.”

Youngsters and adults of all ages are encouraged to audition.

Jones said no preparation is needed for auditions, and prospective set and technical crew volunteers are invited to attend.

The performances of “Welcome to Mitford” are scheduled at the Andy Griffith Playhouse on March 15 at 7:30 p.m., March 16 at 3 p.m., and March 17 at 3 p.m.

Tickets are $10 and are available online at surryarts.org, or by calling 786-7998 or stopping by the Surry Arts Council office, located at 218 Rockford St.

“Having won over audiences across the nation, this Appalachian classic comedy could easily be set in our town,” Jones said. “So we’d like to invite everyone to join us as ‘Welcome to Mitford’ makes its Mount Airy debut.”

Reach Keith Strange at kstrange@heartlandpublications.com or 719-1929.