The Cemetery Club Auditions, Epilogue Players Theatre

This is the story of three ladies, Doris, Lucille, and Ida – great friends who live in the same Jewish community in Queens. They are all late middle-aged and have become widows within the past few years. The ladies gather regularly to visit their husbands’ graves at Forest Hills to stay connected. Doris remains fiercely devoted to her late husband and takes her responsibilities as a widow seriously. Lucille is eager to start dating again, partly as revenge against her late husband, who often cheated on her, but also because she’s very lonely by herself. Ida is also not used to being alone after 39 years of marriage, but she doesn’t feel ready to start dating again, at least not until she meets Sam, a local butcher who gradually but firmly eases his way into her life. Doris is appalled when she discovers that Ida is dating again and loudly protests that she’s being disrespectful to her late husband, while Lucille is more than a bit jealous that Ida snagged a good man before she could!

Character Descriptions All the characters listed below are presented as older widows / widower, between the ages of 55-70. Some physical comedy is required.

Ida is not used to being alone after being married to Murry, but she doesn’t feel ready to start dating again, at least not until she runs into an old friend who recently lost his wife. This role requires a bit of cha-cha dancing.

Lucille is eager to get her feet back in the waters of dating, partly as a revenge against her late husband Harry, who often cheated on her, and partly because she’s very lonely. She is quite the flirt and is very concerned about her appearance. She is jealous of Ida, who has snagged a good man before she does. This role requires a bit of cha-cha dancing and smoking, and has milk thrown in her face.

Doris remains fiercely loyal to her late husband Abe and takes her responsibilities as a widow very seriously. She is not interested in a new relationship and is appalled when one of her friends starts dating again. Doris has heart issues and is not very adventurous. This role requires a bit of cha-cha dancing, and has wine thrown in her face.

Sam is the local owner of a butcher shop. He knows Ida and Doris because they have been his customers. Sam is recently a widower and is a bit lonely, and very shy. Over the course of the play, he and Ida slowly become a pair.

Minor role with a brief onstage appearance. She plays the “plus one” date of Sam at a friend’s wedding. A good-looking woman who is able to cause a bit of jealousy from Ida and Lucille.