By CLARKE STACKHOUSE/ Staff Writer

MONTEVALLO – The Montevallo Main Street Players will hold auditions for “Picnic” June 10-11 at 6:30 p.m. at Parnell Memorial Library.

Norman McMilan, the producer, said no preparation is necessary, and anyone is welcome to audition. The characters range in age from 16-70 years.

McMillan said that the leading male role, Hal Carter, is in his early 20s. The female leads are both middle-aged.

“The play has seven men and four women, people from high school to 60s or so,”

McMillan said. “We play to age in community theatre.”

The play takes place during Labor Day weekend and is set in the shared backyard of Flo Owens and Helen Potts.

Owens lives with her two daughters and an old spinster teacher, while Potts lives with her invalid mother. Enter Hal Carter, a young man whose appearance upsets the feminine atmosphere, laying the groundwork for the play.

The play is appropriate for all theater lovers, but does contain adult themes between the male and female characters, McMillan said.

Director Brent Murill, 33, has been active in theater in Mobile and acted in MSSP’s production of “Smoke on the Mountain.” McMillan said Murill is excited for his MMSP directorial debut.

“Picnic” falls in line with the classic plays the MMSP is known for, and promises to be a great addition to the season, McMillan said.

McMillan’s friend, Ralph Voss, is a writer in the Birmingham area who wrote a biography on “Picnic’s playwright, William Inge. Voss also suggested that McMillan stage the play.

“Voss said to me, “You should do ‘Picnic’ sometime,’ McMillan said.

The play runs August 16-17 at 7:30 p.m. and August 18 at 2 p.m.

“For once we’re not rushed to get things done,” McMillan said.

For more information, visit Montevalloartscouncil.org.