Kentwood Players announces open auditions for
FUN HOME
A musical with book and lyrics by Lisa Kron, music by Jeanine Tesori
Based on the graphic novel by Alison Bechdel
Saturday, March 14 and Sunday, March 15, 2020
At the Westchester Playhouse
Kentwood Players will hold open auditions for the musical FUN HOME with book and lyrics by Lisa Kron, music by Jeanine Tesori, based on the graphic novel by Alison Bechdel, on Saturday, March 14, 2020 from 1:00 to 4:00pm and Sunday, March 15 from 6:00 to 9:00pm. Call backs will be held on Monday, March 16 by appointment only. This is a non-equity, non-paid production directed by Kathy Dershimer with musical direction by Cheryl Gaul, and produced by Jenny Boone and Harold Dershimer for Kentwood Players with rights secured from Samuel French, Inc., a Concord Theatricals Company.
Performance dates are May 15 through June 20, 2020 on Fridays and Saturdays at 8:00pm and Sundays at 2:00pm. Auditions and performances take place at the Westchester Playhouse, located at 8301 Hindry Avenue in Westchester, CA 90045, home of the Kentwood Players, one of the longest continuously operating Los Angeles theater groups, now in its 70th year and voted the #1 Live Theater Group on the Westside in 2019 by readers of the Argonaut newspaper.
Winner of Best Musical from New York Drama Critics' Circle Award, Obie Award, Lucille Lortel Award and also, Outer Cities Circle Award, as well as the 2015 Tony Award for Best Musical, Best Original Score, and Best Book of a Musical, FUN HOME is a refreshingly honest, wholly original musical about seeing your parents through grown-up eyes. When her father dies unexpectedly, graphic novelist Alison dives deep into her past to tell the story of the volatile, brilliant, one-of-a-kind man whose temperament and secrets defined her family and her life. 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 looming, unanswerable questions about her father's hidden desires.
Please allow time to sign-in and complete paperwork during scheduled audition times. Please bring a current headshot and resume as well as your calendar as a rehearsal schedule will be posted at auditions and you will be asked to note any conflicts. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact the production team at FunHome@kentwoodplayers.org. Those auditioning should become familiar with the characters and music before auditions. Please bring music in the traditional pop musical theater style of the show, but not from the show. We will have sides and an accompanist available at the auditions.
Character Breakdown
Kentwood Players is committed to diverse, inclusive casting. Performers of all ethnicities, races, gender identities and ages are encouraged to audition.
Alison – age 40-45
Cartoonist, writer. Both self-aware and self-conscious, Reflective, appreciating both joy and sadness. Mezzo-soprano with strong low range. Belt. - Non dancer
Medium Alison – age 18 – 20
A college student, will also play a Susan Dey. Smart, awkward, confused - a romantic. Realizing and embracing that she is lesbian. Mezzo-soprano. Belt. - Dancing required
Small Alison – age 8-11
Intelligent, confident and bossy. Precocious. Alto. Light belt - Dancing required.
Bruce Bechdel - 40+
Alison's father, Depressed and self-loathing, hurtful, closeted gay. Husband and father of 3 - likes the role, but not the rules. Baritone, - Dancing required.
Helen Bechdel - 40+
Alison's mother. Depressed and self-deluded, unhappy, cold. Wife and mother of 3 - has compromised herself into marginalism. Mezzo-soprano. Strong mix - Dancing required.
Christian Bechdel – age 10-13
Alison's brother. Smart, funny and independent. Singing and dancing required
John Bechdel – age 6-9
Alison's brother. Energetic, imaginative and eager to please. Singing and dancing required.
Roy/Mark/Pete/Bobby - 20s
Customer/high school student/college student/imaginary TV character. One actor plays all 4 roles. Tenor - Dancing required
Joan – age 19-21
A college student/will also play a Susan Dey. Medium Alison's girlfriend. Smart, confident. Alto. Comfortable with harmony lines - Dancing required.
For more information about Kentwood Players including our current production and upcoming auditions, please visit the Kentwood Players website at
www.kentwoodplayers.org. You can also find Kentwood Players information on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
To meet the FUN HOME production team and learn more about Kentwood Players, a 70-years old and going strong, all-volunteer community theater group, the public is invited to attend our general membership meetings, which are free and held on the third Wednesday of each month at 7:30 pm at the Westchester Playhouse, located two blocks west of the San Diego Freeway and two blocks north of Manchester at
8301 Hindry Avenue in Westchester, CA 90045.
Thank you for listing this information in your print or online publications.
Shari Barrett
Publicity Director, Kentwood Players
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