4th Wall Theatre, a non-union NJ theatre company, will hold open auditions for all roles in the final production of its 2017-18 season, FUN HOME, with music by Jeanine Tesori, book and lyrics by Lisa Kron, and based on the graphic novel by Alison Bechdel. 4th Wall’s production will be directed by Kate Swan with music direction by Markus Grae-Hauck. The show will be presented at Studio Playhouse in Montclair. Rehearsals will begin in late April, and six performances are scheduled for June 8-17.
FUN HOME, a multiple TONY Award-winning musical, is about lesbian cartoonist Alison Bechdel. During her freshman year at Oberlin College in 1981, she came out as a lesbian to herself and then her parents. Four months later, her father died suddenly in a truck accident at the age of 44. The musical takes place twenty-five years later, as Alison, now 44, is creating a graphic novel exploring all the moments in her memory that led up to her father’s tragic ending. Moving between past and present, Alison relives her unique childhood playing at the family’s Bechdel Funeral Home, her growing understanding of her own sexuality, and the lurking, unanswerable questions about her father’s hidden desires.
Auditions are scheduled for Saturday, April 14th from 10:00am-1:00pm and Monday, April 16th from 7:00pm-10:00pm; auditioners only need to attend one of those days. Sign-up begins at 1/2 hour prior to the audition start time, and anyone auditioning must arrive no later than 90 minutes after start time. Auditions will be held at two different locations in Bloomfield and Montclair, so please check the following web page for location information, directions, and parking information: http://www.4thwalltheatre.org/auditions.htm Callbacks will be Wednesday, April 18th beginning at 7:00 pm.
4th Wall is seeking an ethnically diverse adult cast of six adults and three children; see character breakdown for details. Prepare two contrasting 32-bar selections from contemporary musical theatre songs that show off your voice and acting ability; singing from the show is perfectly acceptable. Bring sheet music in your key. An accompanist will be provided. Also bring a headshot and resume stapled together, and be prepared to provide all potential conflicts for weekday evening and weekend daytime rehearsals beginning April 21st. Non-union; no pay. Visit www.4thwalltheatre.org/auditions.htm for more information.
Character Breakdown
NOTE: As an organization, 4th Wall is committed to diverse and inclusive casting; casting decisions, as much as possible based on the show, are made regardless of disability, race, ethnicity, gender identity, sexual orientation, size, or shape.
ALISON BECHDEL
(to play 43, any ethnicity) lesbian cartoonist; wry, pragmatic, super intelligent; Alison is stuck artistically, and goes in search of the pieces of the story of her father's demise in an effort to heal herself. Range: Alto - low E to light belt C sharp.
BRUCE BECHDEL
(to play 33-44, any ethnicity) Alison’s father, a closeted gay man. A high-school English teacher, small-town funeral home director, and historic home restoration fanatic, he is charming on the surface, with deep layers of shame and anger right underneath. Range: Tenor - B to G.
HELEN BECHDEL
(to play 33-44, any ethnicity) Alison’s mother. Intelligent, composed, with a quiet coiled intensity. Formerly a promising actress, now an English teacher, she is frustrated and exhausted by her tumultuous, emotionally abusive marriage. Range: Mezzo - A flat to strong mixed E.
MEDIUM ALISON
(to play 19, any ethnicity) Alison Bechdel as a freshman at Oberlin College, discovering her sexuality. Incredibly well-read, hyper-intelligent, socially awkward, and overjoyed by sex. Range: Alto - strong mix-belt to C and effortless mix to E.
JOAN
(to play early 20s, any ethnicity) A student at Oberlin. She exudes a confident, sexual energy, with a dry sense of humor. Unlike Alison, Joan is very comfortable in her skin and openly identifies as a lesbian. Range: Alto – must handle harmonies.
ROY / PETE / MARK / BOBBY JEREMY (one actor)
(to play 16-28, any ethnicity) Roy, a young man Bruce hires to do yard work; Pete, a mourner who visits the funeral home; Mark, a high school junior; Bobby Jeremy, the lead singer of a band in Alison’s imagination. Good-looking singer with a strong clean 70s pop sound. Range: High tenor to a B.
CHILDREN
SMALL ALISON
(to play 9-11 years old, any ethnicity) Alison Bechdel as a child. Precocious and opinionated, yet because of the era she’s growing up in, she doesn’t have the vocabulary to fully define herself. Range: B to B.
CHRISTIAN BECHDEL
(to play 9-11 years old, any ethnicity) Alison’s brother, he tries to be the leader but is overshadowed by Alison’s strong personality. Must be able to sing harmonies and move well.
JOHN BECHDEL
(to play 7-9 years old, any ethnicity) Alison’s younger brother. Like most boys his age, he is full of energy with a quirky imagination. Must be able to sing harmonies and move well.
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