Casting Bus Stop

Its no secret that we have been trying to cast Bus Stop for some time now.  Its been a bit of a surprise since our earlier shows had larger casts and came off very well and we well reviewed.  Bus stop is somewhat different as it is at its heart a character study requiring both comedy and pathos for the group of travelers standed in a deeply rural diner each with their own back story who find themselves not just on a journey but a crossroads with live altering choices to make.

Beginning with COVID and continuing with various conflicts of different actors we have had to postpone it multiple times.  Part of the problem is the winter scheduling as actors from the greater area are reluctant to make the trip to Manitowoc with the hazards of winter driving.  Yet this opens some real opportunities for anyone local to the lake shore community. We hope that is the case!

The two most critical characters we need to cast are the leads, Bo and Cherrie.  Both are young an naive unsure of themselves although Bo puts on a big front thinking his macho rodeo rider image is all he needs to offer.  His ownership of an inherited Montana ranch he thinks (with some validity) make him a great catch but at the same time his social isolation there does not equip him with the social skills to attract the lifetime mate and company he so desires.

Cherrie has had a tougher start in life growing up poor and desiring recognition and a better life than her Ozark background has shown her.  Not really fit for a shot at the big time Bo finds her singing at the Blue Dragon lounge  next to the stockyards where Bo was performing in a rodeo.  Sidling up to locals and cowboys for tips and attention the inexperienced Bo mistakes her learned act of survival as real love believing their one night stand to be a lifetime commitment.  The misread leads him to outright if at least well meaning abduction.  It becomes a study in good intentions and misunderstanding.

Meanwhile other passengers play out their own versions of misreads and loneliness as we learn why Dr. Lyman is also on the bus, Elma's own desire for the brighter city lights and Grace's own longing for some kind of relationship of her own.

Its a great story with great roles full a comedy and pathos.  We hope that you might consider joyning us in this great winter's tale.

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