The Chatham Players will hold auditions for their 103rd season closer, “Home, I’m Darling” by Laura Wade on Tuesday, February 4 and Thursday, February 6 at 7pm at The Chatham Playhouse 23 North Passaic Ave. Chatham, NJ at 7pm. Actors must check in to the auditions by 7:30pm. Production dates are May 2 - 17, 2025 with rehearsals to begin early March. Chris Hietikko directs.
Judy and Johnny are trying to turn their backs on modern day life and live by the values and behaviors of the 1950s. The play won the Olivier award as best comedy in 2019 and is a nuanced examination about some of the lies we tell ourselves about the past being better. Home, I’m Darling is a brilliant play by Laura Wade, which discusses nostalgia, gender roles, feminism, relationships and life choices with depth and humor. Set in modern times, it focuses on a couple who decide to live a 1950s' lifestyle with full authenticity.
Judy and Johnny are a little different and they love it! They’re 1950s enthusiasts who have taken role-playing to a whole new level: Johnny’s swapped meal prep and laundry for foot rubs and cocktail hour; Judy’s swapped jeans and a job for darning and dusting. In a house complete with 1950 kitsch, mid-century Knick knacks and the smells of good ol’ fashioned home cooking, the couple live out their ultimate, nostalgic fantasy. What could go wrong?! The 21st Century has a nasty habit of forcing its way into their pristine bubble. Whether it’s in the form of Johnny’s new boss, the contemporary cost of living on a ‘50s budget or Judy’s critical mother (who actually lived through the ‘50s), the present insists on being dealt with!
Director Chris Hietikko seeks a talented cast of 6 actors. Actors will be asked to read from sides provided at the audition, these and the Audition Form are available on Chatham Players' website at www.chathamplayers.org.
Character Breakdown
NOTE: All roles require a British accent, and we will have a dialect coach as part of the production team. Please keep in mind that we are more interested in what you bring to the role as an actor than how good your accent is during your audition. Also, a dance element may be part of any callbacks.
- Judy- Female presenting, open to all ethnicities (Playing age 35-45) Judy is trying desperately throughout the play to keep together the façade she has built of being the perfect 1950s housewife. She desperately clings onto the nostalgia of the 1950s and has arranged her life to resemble one in the era with minute detail. She and her husband turned their house into a mid-century lookalike and are living not only the style but also the values of the 50s. Judy is a complex character whose layers peel like an onion throughout the course of the play. She is the perfect housewife, the home goddess and the incarnation of many men’s dreams, but under this hides fragility and escapism.
NOTE: Role requires the light touch of a 1950’s black and white sitcom sensibility but deeply grounded in realism. Actress must be able to dance a few jive combinations and be comfortable having staged intimacy with actor playing Johnny. A choreographer, and a dialect coach will be part of the production team.
- Johnny- male presenting, open to all ethnicities (Playing age 35-45) Judy’s husband who initially seems supportive of his wife’s choice to live as a 1950s housewife and to live with the 1950s façade. He too has adopted the fifties lifestyle, clothing, and willingly dives into the experiment. On the surface, he is content with the reality he is in, but underneath starts to quietly question this contentment.
NOTE: Role requires the light touch of a 1950’s black and white sitcom sensibility but deeply grounded in realism. Actor must be able to dance a few jive combinations and be comfortable having staged intimacy with actress playing Judy. A choreographer, and a dialect coach will be part of the production team.
- Fran- Female presenting, open to all ethnicities (Playing age late 20’s – early 40’s) Judy’s good friend who is working and living in a very conventional manner but enjoys the 50s weekends that she shares with Judy, Johnny and husband Marcus. Recently married to Marcus. She is interested in Judy’s lifestyle and appears to admire Her’s and Johnny’s perfect relationship. She is curious about Judy’s motives for going that far. Fran has a "rockabilly" sense of style.
NOTE: Between scenes, Fran and Marcus will be featured in 1950’s dances. Must be comfortable with stylized movement.
- Marcus – Male presenting, open to all ethnicities (Playing age late 30/ late 40s) An amazing dancer, Fran’s husband and friends with Johnny and Judy. He dances Jive with Judy. Marcus is an interesting role who has some controversial views. He likes the idea of the 50s style and along with his wife is happy to adapt elements of it. He represents more traditional, men-centric attitudes and secretly yearns for the ideal housewife. Marcus has a "rockabilly" sense of style.
NOTE: Between scenes, Fran and Marcus will be featured in 1950’s dances. Must be comfortable with stylized movement.
- Sylvia – Female presenting, open to all ethnicities (Playing Age 65+) Judy mother she is horrified by Judy’s choice to become a housewife having bought Judy up in a commune and to be a feminist. She has two brilliant scenes including a fabulous monologue. She loves her daughter but fails to comprehend her.
- Alex - Female presenting, open to all ethnicities (Mid 20’s/Early 30’s) Johnny’s boss at the estate agency firm. She is career driven, focused on work, very successful and high powered. Attractive and articulate, she wears modern dress. She is seen as somewhat opposite to Judy in both her appearance and attitudes. She is fascinated and bewildered by the couple’s way of life. She brings in a more critical attitude towards nostalgia.
The Chatham Players have an open call casting policy. ALL roles are open, none are precast, and everyone is encouraged to audition. Any questions, please call Gus Ibranyi at (201)-563-0362 or email casting@chathamplayers.org. For directions or additional information, please visit www.chathamplayers.org