OXFORD - The Oxford Civic Theatre will be holding tryouts for the musical “The Ransom of Red Chief,” based on the short story by O. Henry, adapted by Pam Nagle and George Wingerter. It will be directed by Lauralyn Moore. The auditions will be held at the Oxford Academy High School Auditorium on August 3 and 10, from 2 to 4:40 p.m.

There are parts for six males and twelve females, plus a chorus of townspeople. All auditions will be approximately five minutes.

The townspeople of Summit, Alabama, are a happy folk whose bliss is marred only by young Johnny Dorset, a 'two-legged skyrocket of a kid' whose mischief leaves no one unscathed. Two con-men kidnap Johnny in order to extort a large ransom from his mother. The scheme soon goes awry and a wild and hilarious misadventure ensues.

“The Ransom of Red Chief” will be performed on October 24, 25 and 26, 2014.