CASTING CALL
THE VERDICT (Equity and Non-Equity)
By Barry Reed; adapted for the stage by Margaret May Hobbs
Directed by Jack Grinhaus
ENGAGEMENT COMPANY AND OUTSIDE DATES
Vertigo Theatre (Calgary) – rehearsals begin April 14, 2026; opens May 14, 2026; closes June 7, 2026. Potential extension to June 13, 2026.
PRODUCTION DESCRIPTION
One big case. One last shot at redemption.
Frank Galvin is a washed-up, alcoholic, ambulance-chasing lawyer. Offered an ‘open and shut’ malpractice case involving a young pregnant woman now confined to a life in a coma, he suspects a cover up. Presented with one last chance to redeem himself, he daringly refuses an out-of-court settlement and instead takes the negligent doctors and the unforgiving Boston medical establishment to court. Can he find justice for his client, or will the powerful institutions win out in the end?
Based on the best-selling novel by Barry Reed that became a classic Sidney Lumet film starring Paul Newman.
ROLES TO BE CAST
FRANK GALVIN Man age: 50 – 65
A once promising young attorney, Frank is a shadow of his former self, a broken man, an alcoholic, and now relegated to ambulance chasing. He has a deep integrity, though, buried inside, and is given one last chance to redeem himself, in spite of the incredible odds against him. Seeking an actor who can elicit great empathy. Stubborn, cranky, but likeable.
MRS. MCDAID / MARY ROONEY Woman age: 55 to 65
Mrs. McDaid is a diminutive, soft-spoken Irish lady of humble stock. A bereaved mother and plaintiff in the case. Her daughter fell into a coma at the hospital, where she was giving birth.
Mary Rooney is the senior nurse, kind but demure, and a bit mousy.
BISHOP BROPHY Man age: 45 – 55
Bishop Brophy is the eighth Diocese of Boston. He is the youngest member of the Roman Catholic Hierarchy to be picked to become Bishop of Boston at 39 years old. No ordinary cleric, he presides over the Church’s temporal domain of Churches, Schools, Hospitals, Sanatoriums, and Investment Portfolios. Brophy, while kind and sympathetic to Frank, is also focused on clearing the name of the Diocese at all costs. He is kind but calculating.
EUGENE MEEHAN / LIONEL THOMPSON Man age: 60 – 70
Eugene is the typical bar man: Good listener, helpful with advice, and trustworthy. A confident/therapist/friend for Frank.
Dr. Lionel Thompson of East Hampton Hospital for Women is a seasoned medical practitioner who comes off a little laid back and aged, but knowledgeable and quick-witted.
ELDREDGE SWEENEY Man age: 50 – 70
A hard-nosed judge, buried in years of political bureaucracy and nepotism. Sweeney has certainly been corrupted by time and the business he is in. Completely unsympathetic towards anything that he seems puts into question his own opinions and outlooks.
DONNA ST. LAURENT / NATALIE STAMPANATTO Woman age: 25 – 40
Donna meets Frank at a bar where she is seeking work. She is an attractive woman who glides through space with great confidence and shows an intense interest in Frank, though there is a hidden agenda and intelligence she is hiding.
Natalie Stampanatto is a young student admitting nurse who has been scared away but has returned to support the trial. She is kind and soft-spoken, nervous but determined to release the guilt she feels over the outcome of the case.
MOE KATZ Man age: 60 – 70
Moe is an old school Jewish Lawyer and mentor and old friend of Frank’s. He has always believed in Frank and has tried to help him throughout the years. An imposing figure, as large in stature as in form. Moe is the moral compass and only true ally to Frank.
DR. DANIELLE CROWLEY Woman age: 45 – 60
More patient than Towler and a bit more sympathetic, Dr. Crowley wrote the book, literally, on Anesthesiology, and is certain of her procedural innocence in this case. Calm and composed, there is a moral high ground she lives in, that is built on her own sense of self, right or wrong.
DR. REXFORD GILBERT TOWLER Man or Woman age: 45 – 60
A seasoned and experienced doctor and surgeon. Cool in nature but can crack when pushed very easily. There is an arrogance that seems earned, considering his life achievements in the medical profession.
J. EDGAR CONCANNON Man age: 45 – 60
The opposing counsel in the trial, Concannon is a confident and dignified attorney that carries himself with incredible posture and calm. A powerful person who has all the confidence of a man who has nearly never lost a battle he has fought.
AUDITION DATES
May 5-6, 2025
CASTING PROCESS
Selected candidates will be provided with scenes to work from during the auditions. A reader will be provided. The audition space is accessible and barrier-free.
Vertigo Theatre is a member of the Professional Association of Canadian Theatres, and engages professional artists under the terms of the Canadian Theatre Agreement.
Vertigo Theatre has a responsibility to create work spaces where people are comfortable in a creation process, and can be themselves in every capacity. With this in mind, we encourage submissions from those who identify as Indigenous, Black, or POC as well as 2SLGBTQIA+, Disabled/People with Disabilities and/or Neuro-Divergent people.
If there are any potential barriers (language, disability, or any other considerations) preventing you from applying to audition, please let us know and we will work with you to find a suitable application process.
HOW TO SUBMIT
We would like to request a submission package consisting of:
• headshot
• resume
Please submit packages through the following link by 11:59pm on April 16, 2025:
https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/TVauditions2025
*We will not be collecting hard copies of headshots and resumes at the audition. The audition
panel will receive them all electronically.
DEADLINE for submission packages is April 16, 2025.
Local Submissions and CAEA members will take priority for this casting call.
Laura Couch
Company Manager, Vertigo Theatre
auditions@vertigotheatre.com
