Ridgedale Players

Auditions

Production Dates and Information

Performance Dates: October 25-27, November 1st-10th
Attendance Tech week is also mandatory, October 19-24.
Preregister Now Here

Show Synopsis: Fun Home
Music by Jeanine Tesori
Book and Lyrics by Lisa Kron
Based on the Graphic Novel by Alison Bechdel
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. Fun Home is a refreshingly honest, wholly original musical about seeing your parents through grown-up eyes.

*** Content Warning: Please be advised this production contains adult language and mature content. Verbal abuse, suicide, homophobia, swears and curses.

ALISON: (early 40s.) MEZZO SOPRANO
Adult Alison Bechdel and the narrator of this story. Now a self-aware adult, she is able to reflect insightfully on her own life and her relationship with her father before his tragic death.

MEDIUM ALISON: (age 19) MEZZO SOPRANO
Alison Bechdel as a freshman at Oberlin college, discovering her sexuality. For an incredibly well-read, hyper-intelligent teenager, her uncertainty about who she is makes her socially awkward at times. Should be comfortable being on stage in underwear and with kissing and physical contact with character Joan.

SMALL ALISON: (around 8 years old) ALTO
Alison Bechdel as a child, when we first meet her. Precocious and opinionated. On the cusp of finding herself and forming her own views on how a girl her age should behave and dress.

BRUCE: (early 40’s) BARITONE
Alison’s father. A high-school English teacher and funeral home director, who spends his spare time on the historic restoration of his home. A complex man with a hot temper as a result of years of repression. He can be caring and attentive to his children but is also quick to anger.

HELEN: (early 40’s) MEZZO SOPRANO
Alison’s mother. Frustrated and exhausted by her tumultuous marriage. She has spent her life trying to be a good mother and wife while turning a blind eye to the irreverent activities of her husband.

JOAN: (college-aged) ALTO
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. Should be comfortable being on stage in underwear and with kissing and physical contact with the character Medium Alison.

CHRISTIAN BECHDEL: (around 10 years old) TREBLE/SOPRANO
Alison’s older brother, when we meet him. As the oldest of the three Bechdel children, Christian strives to be the leader but is sometimes overshadowed by Alison’s strong personality.

JOHN BECHDEL: (around 6 years old)
Alison’s younger brother, when we meet him. Like most boys his age, he is full of energy with a quirky imagination. Looks up to his siblings.

ROY / PETE/ MARK / BOBBY JEREMY: (20ish) TENOR
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.

Audition Cuts

Alison
Middle Alison
Small Alison
Bruce
Helen
Roy
All Kids

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