Workshop production of new musical at The Monkey House Theater

A musical interpretation of Franz Kafka’s The Metamorphosis, “THE METAMORPHOSIS OF BARRY SCHLECKMAN ”  leans heavily on comedy -- yet remains true to the troubling familial dysfunction at the heart of Kafka’s masterpiece.  Now set within a Jewish family in 1959, the show expands on the story of a young man’s shocking transformation, injecting classically Kafka elements as it gradually creeps toward the protagonist's redemption.  Shedding light on the tricky path between our desire for self-improvement and our longing for self-acceptance, it celebrates the very miracle of our existence -- while spitting at the dull conformity that too often overtakes it.

Character Breakdown

HERMAN SCHLECKMAN, 55:  Herman is a man belittled by life.  Unable to work due to injuries real or imagined, he’s been relying on Barry’s salary as an insurance adjuster to support the family.  He redirects his own self-loathing toward his son, whom he’s always framed as a disappointment.   Herman does show a soft spot for his wife who, as a younger woman, represented the hope of fulfilling his dreams.  East coast New York/Philadelphia accent.  STRONG SINGER.

RUTHIE SCHLECKMAN, 50: Barry’s mom does her best and, within the family, her character displays the most compassion toward Barry’s plight.  But she’s beaten down from the very start -- dealing with a lazy, narcissistic husband, a son who was always problematic, and a gifted daughter who’s a bit high-maintenance.  East coast New York/Philadelphia accent.  STRONG SINGER.

BARRY SCHLECKMAN, 25 (We have cast this role but are considering others in the event of a conflict)  : Short, skinny, bespectacled, in today’s parlance he would likely be labeled as “on the spectrum.”  But it’s 1959 and he’s just weird, socially awkward, and sometimes inappropriate.  And he kind of hates himself for it.  His life has been an endless quest for the self-improvement he hopes will finally win him some acceptance.  But all along he’s been quietly brilliant -- something neither he nor his family yet appreciate.  East coast New York/Philadelphia accent.  STRONG SINGER.

GRETA SCHLECKMAN, 16 (We have cast this role but are considering others in the event of a conflict)  As much as Barry is a disappointment to his parents, Greta is a delight: smart, pretty, and talented, her effortless grace makes her brother seem all the more disastrous.  Unlike the rest of her family, she’s deliberately lost her Philadelphia accent.  After Barry’s transformation, Greta is initially kind to him, but this is soon revealed to be less compassion than pity; she’s always seen him as a misfit.  As the story unfolds, he’s also an impediment.  STRONG SINGER.

MOVEMENT ACTOR #1 (male):  (movement actors will not speak or sing throughout the performance but will represent various characters through movement)

BOB, 45: Bob is a comically flat character, one of two traveling “efficiency experts” who rent a room from the Schleckmans.   AGENT TWO, 35:  One two Kafkaesque civil servants who harass the Schleckman family.  

MOVEMENT ACTOR #2 (male):  

J.D. PUTNAM, 50:  The larger-than-life impresario of the Putnam Family Circus, he has a theatrical manner.  AGENT ONE, 35:  One two Kafkaesque civil servants who harass the Schleckman family. 

MOVEMENT ACTOR THREE (female): 

ROSALINE, 50:  Rosaline once worked in the Putnam Family Circus as an acrobat, then later as a fortune teller.  Now she’s been reduced to cleaning houses.  Because she’s led a more difficult life, she’s the one character not appalled by the sight of Barry.  Latina accent.  NOREEN, 40: Like her husband Bob, Noreen is a comically flat character, one of two travelling “efficiency experts” who rent a room from the Schleckmans.  Her voice is dull and lifeless, yet entitled and condescending.  

Audition Information

Mondays, February 9 and 16, 7PM.

The Monkey House, 1638 University Ave., Berkeley

If you'd prefer to start with a self-taped audition, please follow these instructions as follows.  For the principal roles of BARRY, GRETA, HERMAN and RUTHIE, please submit a reel featuring your singing in a theatrical performance and make sure the sound quality is good--no heavy room sound.  We have cast the roles of BARRY and GRETA but would be happy to hear from others as backup in case conflicts emerge.  For the movement actors, please send a reel reflective of your abilities to interpret action through movement (or just how you move in general.)  Links should be sent to director Ed Schneider:  eddyjs66@gmail.com 

How to submit

Please contact Ed Schneider (director) :  eddyjs66@gmail.com with your headshot and resume

You can hear song demos here:  https://metamorphosissongdemos.bandcamp.com/album/the-metamorphosis-of-barry-schleckman

 Movement actors will audition by interpretation the action of selected songs and scenes which we will provide to you in advance.

Pay Information

100% of the gate will be split between the seven actors involved and the tech,  with the four principal actors receiving 15% and the remaining actors and tech receiving 10%. Supplemental payment is negotiable and we're also willing to trade use of the theater space for rehearsal or performances.