2026 Season Auditions

Directed by Gwen Mansfield

SYNOPSIS

Synopsis: (This script is family material, however a suggested audience of adults and children 10 and above is recommended.) Set in the town of Holly, right before Christmas, in the year 1949, the aging railroad station still displays left-over remnants and reminders of a war where Johnny came marching home four years earlier. The town is on a path to dying a slow death and the railroad station is part of its journey. Hardly anyone chugs in on the train anymore, and Hilda, who runs the station and has for years, is expecting any day for those in charge to shut it down. She and Satch, her assistant, spend too much time in a tit-for-tat, him trying to be positive, and her muddled in negativity.

The town folk come in and out of the station, bringing mail, directing the Christmas choir, writing stories for the newspaper, and one--hoping to catch a train back to mother—away from her husband, who fights for young love.

Things are looking pretty bleak until Leo Tannenbaum rides in on a train they haven’t seen in years—The Christmas Express. He brings a certain optimism, a dash of hope, a hint of—well—maybe—magic, and an understanding of what community is meant to be. Things begin to change at the Holly Railway Station. A radio begins working after years of static, a young boy is saved from a disastrous fall, and the choir—that should be banned from all ears—suddenly begins to sound like a gift from above. However, conflict ensues with the appearance of a railroad investigator, a missing father, and the continual barrage of Hilda’s skepticism of Leo Tannenbaum’s mysterious visit to the town of Holly.

Filled with humor and a bit of wisdom, The Christmas Express shares quirky characters and a sweet message that communities everywhere may need to hear. All aboard? Let’s go!

PREPARATION:    

  The sides are in the linked files below. Please be familiar with them. 

Monologues are not required. There may be some improvisation (have fun).

CONTACT

For more information, or to arrange a different date and time for auditions, please contact Gwen Mansfield at: gwenmansfield@yahoo.com

Please place “Audition PGT” in the subject line of your email.

If cast, please do not make a commitment to another show while you are involved in this production without consulting the director.

CHARACTERS  

Ages of characters are flexible, unless specified. The roles of Maggie, Penelope, and Myrna could also be Marty, Pete, and Marvin.

Hilda Trowbridge—a rather grumpy woman in her 40s, manages the Holly

 Railway Station

Satch Brunswick—Hilda’s assistant, with a better outlook on life, in his 40s 

Maggie (or Marty) Clooney—a mail carrier, any age 

Leo Tannenbaum—There is magic about him, a man in his 50s

Penelope (or Pete) Blaisdale—any age, reporter for The Holly Herald 

Mr. Fairfax—an ominous man in his 50s

Myrna (or Marvin) Hobsnagle—any age, employee of City Hall

Donna Fay Cummings—a stubborn newlywed, in her 20s

Jerry Cummings—Donna’s equally stubborn husband, in his 20s

Deborah Smith—a woman in her 30s, stranger to the community 

  . NOTE:   The age ranges above are as described by the author. 

Please do not let  these deter you from auditioning for any of the roles.