The River Theater announces auditions for “Our Only May Amelia,” adapted for the stage by John Olive from the Newbery Award-winning book by Jennifer Holm.

“Our Only May Amelia” is set in Southwest Washington and Astoria in the years of 1899 and 1900. Roles are available for young men, a stern Finnish father, a mean old grandma, a sophisticated city-dwelling aunt and more.

Auditions are 6 to 8 p.m. Sunday and Monday, May 21 and 22, at the River Theater, 230 W. Marine Drive, with the possibility of callbacks Wednesday, May 24. Please come prepared with possible rehearsal schedule conflicts in June and July. The script calls for four men between the ages of 14 and 50 and four women between the ages of 13 and 60. Scripts will be available to check out for up to two days from the theater during box office hours, noon to 5 p.m. Wednesday through Friday.

“In 1899, life on the Nasel River in Washington was hard for anyone, but especially for 13-year-old May Amelia Jackson, the only girl in all of the Nasel settlement,” reads the play’s introduction. “Her Pappa thinks that hunting, fishing and working at the logging camp are all too rough for a little girl, but that doesn’t stop May. Once May’s mother gives birth to a baby girl, it seems as though all of May’s prayers have been answered – now May isn’t the only girl around and she has someone to care for. After tragedy strikes and Grandmother Patience blames her, May runs off to Astoria to stay with her aunt. But living in the big city means that May has to act like a ‘proper young lady.’ This doesn’t sit well with her. Life on the Nasel might be hard for a girl, but at least it is full of adventure – and family.”

In association with Finn Fest 2006, “Our Only May Amelia” will open July 21 and will run weekends through Aug. 13, with additional days during Finn Fest. For more information, check out www.rivertheater.com