Sunday, Dec. 3 & Monday, Dec. 4
7 p.m.
Pull-Tight Theatre
112 Second Ave. S., Franklin
Director: Pat Street
Producer: Lynda Gibbs
Performance Dates: February 2-4, 7-11, 14-17
We are excited to present the Southeastern U.S. premiere of this delightful British play, first produced in 2018 at a regional theatre in Wales. After moving to London, it won the 2019 Olivier Award for Best New Comedy.
When Judy sets out to become the perfect 1950s housewife, she and Johnny are living the dream. They have a beautiful home, he has a promotion on the horizon, and she revels in the joys of domesticity. But cracks begin to appear that threaten their domestic bliss. This fun look at grass-is-greener thinking and gender roles asks important questions about what men and women might want and how they might find it. Home, I’m Darling is presented by arrangement with Knight Hall Agency Ltd.
Auditions will consist of cold readings from the script (sides can be downloaded below). For Judy, Johnny, Fran, and Marcus, there will be a brief movement audition, as these characters will need to be able to learn to jitterbug convincingly. Headshots welcome, but not required as we will take an audition photo. Resumes are helpful and can save listing each prior experience on the Audition Form.
You may download our Audition Form and complete it prior to arriving at auditions. Blank copies will also be available onsite.
Download the tentative rehearsal calendar. You must list any and all potential conflicts on your Audition Form. No performance conflicts are allowed. The production team reserves the right to change the schedule within the Tentative Rehearsal Block based on rehearsal progress.
Arrive early, as we will move quickly through the process to accommodate everyone. You will be assigned a number to help the production team expedite the auditions.
Email Director Pat Street with questions.
Character Descriptions
All roles are available. Ages are somewhat flexible. ALL ROLES ARE IN BRITISH ACCENT. See Dance Notes in italics. Director’s Note: All of these are wonderful roles, and everyone gets great moments to put their acting chops to use. Judy is onstage throughout the entire show.
JUDY (38) – We see many sides of her. As we meet her, she has completely and enthusiastically embraced the life of a devoted 50s housewife and models herself and her husband after Doris Day and Rock Hudson as depicted in the movies. However, she basically “wears the pants” in the household even as she appears to be submissive. She previously had a successful career in finance, making more than her husband, and although it takes her a while to realize it, she misses that. Speaking of secrets, she is keeping a major one from Johnny: they are in serious financial trouble due to going from two incomes down to one. We get to see her become more confused and vulnerable, and we see how much she loves her husband and is frantic to save their marriage. Needs to jitterbug convincingly.
JOHNNY (37) – A lovable, truly good guy who is a 50s enthusiast and has agreed to living that lifestyle, but if left to his own devices, would not be as compulsive about it as his wife; in fact, he is finding he misses being part of the world as it is today. He works in real estate, and the market and his commissions have been down, so he is under a lot of stress and hoping for an assistant manager promotion. Always a bit insecure about being an underachiever because his wife has a degree and he does not and she used to make more money than him. We see (and root for) what emerges as more depth in him as he begins to question their choices and takes more leadership. Jitterbugs in the show, but he isn’t great at it.
FRAN (35) – A kind and basically happy person. A loyal friend and wife who is more of a follower, sometimes a bit confused by what others are suggesting she do, but she usually doesn’t get too ruffled about anything in life. She works as a stylist, and is more artistic than career-driven. Willing to try anything, but comfortable with her own limitations. Loves the aesthetic of the 50s, but is not sure she is cut out for being a “domestic goddess.” Needs to jitterbug convincingly.
MARCUS (43) – The founder of a large agency with his name in the title. Rather demeaning toward his wife. Loves jitterbug and old cars, but much of his love for the 50s is because he longs for a time you could carry on with women at the office and nobody raised an eyebrow. He needs to be likable, especially earlier in the show, but he carries himself with some male entitlement and we see that, and his frustration with the current times, come out more as the show progresses. Needs to jitterbug convincingly.
SYLVIA (67) – An individualistic Bohemian divorced woman devoted to social causes who raised her daughter (Judy) in a commune. Strong advocate of women’s rights and disappointed that her daughter has, in her mind, abandoned the feminist cause. As a mother, she balances on the line between advice/criticism she can and cannot get away with, and has kept a lot to herself, but we get to see her throw that all aside and tell some hard truths. Has to memorize a long, passionate monologue. Can have more of a Cockney or Liverpool accent.
ALEX (female, 30) – A very contemporary, energetic young career woman. Constantly attuned to her cell phone. Work is life and she is always working, but she loves it and it’s fun for her. Is very down-to-earth and has a good sense of humor. So centered in her own stuff that she can be oblivious to anything else, including momentarily other people’s feelings, but she is not an unkind person.
Sides
Judy & Johnny
Judy & Fran
Judy & Alex
Judy & Marcus
Judy & Sylvia
Judy, Johnny, Alex
Judy, Johnny, Fran, Marcus
Sylvia
