Virtual auditions for “Unorthodox” Musical Seeking for Boston Premiere
Performers are being sought for two principal roles in “Unorthodox: A New Musical,” which will receive its world premiere at The Huntington in Boston in 2027. The production is holding a virtual open call for actors interested in joining the new musical based on Deborah Feldman’s bestselling memoir, “Unorthodox: The Scandalous Rejection of My Hasidic Roots.”
The production will be directed by Jordan Fein, with casting by The Telsey Office/Craig Burns and Jimmy Larkin and resident casting by The Huntington’s Brett Duffy.
The musical follows two generations of women whose lives are connected through their experiences in the Satmar Hasidic community. Seventeen-year-old Devoiri enters an arranged marriage in Brooklyn and eventually begins questioning the life she has been raised to accept. Sixty years earlier, her grandmother Fraida arrives in America as a young woman and begins a very different journey. The story explores family, faith, independence, motherhood, and the difficult choices people make while trying to build a better future.
Seeking more theater opportunities for actors?
Roles Being Cast
- Devoiri – is a Jewish female character who can play approximately 17 to 26. Raised in Brooklyn’s Satmar Hasidic community, she enters an arranged marriage and becomes a young mother before deciding she wants to leave her community. She is intelligent, curious, imaginative, and sincere, with a strong connection to literature and writing. She is described as hopeful, dutiful, rebellious, and possessing a soaring spirit. An excellent singer is required.
- Eli – is a Jewish male character in his 20s and Devoiri’s husband. Raised in a strict Hasidic household, Eli wants a traditional family and initially appreciates Devoiri’s intellectual curiosity. As their marriage becomes increasingly complicated, he struggles to reconcile his expectations with the woman she is becoming. He is sheltered, dutiful, and ultimately kind-hearted. An excellent singer is required.
Jewish-identifying actors are strongly encouraged to submit.
Production Information
The production is scheduled to begin rehearsals on March 27, 2027, with the first preview planned for May 6 and opening night set for May 19, 2027. Performances are expected to continue through June 6 or June 13, 2027, with dates subject to change. The production will be presented in Boston, Massachusetts, at The Huntington.
The contract is Actors’ Equity Association LORT B, with a listed minimum salary of $1,213 per week.
How to Submit
Submissions are due by September 1, 2026. Performers should prepare a brief cut of a contemporary musical theater song that demonstrates their vocal range.
Casting Notice:
UNORTHODOX – Virtual Open Call
SEEKING PERFORMERS FOR TWO ROLES IN…UNORTHODOX: A New Musical
World Premiere at The Huntington (Boston)
Artistic Director, The Huntington: Loretta Greco
Executive Director, The Huntington: Christopher Mannelli
Director: Jordan Fein
Music and Lyrics: Benj Pasek and Shaina Taub
Based on: The memoir UNORTHODOX: THE SCANDALOUS REJECTION OF MY HASIDIC ROOTS written by Deborah Feldman
Book: Joshua Harmon
Resident Casting, The Huntington: Brett Duffy
Casting: The Telsey Office/Craig Burns; Jimmy Larkin
Auditions: TBD
First Rehearsal: March 27, 2027
First Preview: May 6, 2027
Opening: May 19, 2027
Closing: June 6 or 13, 2027
Dates are subject to change.
Rate: Actors Equity LORT B $1213 weekly minimum
Location: Boston, MAThree Broadway icons unite for the first time to create this stunning new musical: composer?Benj Pasek?(EGOT winner,?Dear Evan Hansen,?La La Land,?Only Murders in the Building); composer?Shaina Taub?(two-time Tony winner for?Suffs); and playwright?Joshua Harmon?(Tony nominated for?Prayer for the French Republic).
NOTE: Deep in the heart of Brooklyn, Devoiri, just seventeen, enters an arranged marriage in the Hasidic Satmar community. Sixty years earlier, her grandmother Fraida arrives in America at roughly the same age, alone, to begin a new life. In parallel journeys, one woman decides to join this devout world, while another awakens to the realization that she wants to try and leave. Based on the best-selling memoir,?Unorthodox?is an intimate and emotionally resonant new musical about the impossible choices we face trying to do what is right for our children – and ourselves.
SEEKING TWO PRINCIPAL ROLES:
[DEVOIRI] Character is a Jewish female. 17–26. Raised in Brooklyn’s Satmar Hasidic community, Devoiri enters an arranged marriage and becomes a young mother before deciding she will leave her community. Torn between duty and independence, she possesses an unforced sincerity that can read as naivete. Intelligent, curious, and deeply imaginative, she often sees herself in literary heroines like Jo March, and writes a book in hopes of creating the stable future where she can raise her child. Her most important relationship is with her grandmother, Fraida, who raised her. Hopeful, alternately dutiful, and rebellious, with a soaring spirit. Excellent singer.
[ELI] Character is a Jewish male. 20s. Devoiri’s husband in an arranged marriage. Raised in a strict Hasidic household, he desires a traditional family and initially embraces Devoiri’s unusual sense of intellectual curiosity. As their marriage is tested, he struggles to reconcile the wife he has with the life he imagined. Sheltered, dutiful, and ultimately kind-hearted. Excellent singer.
Jewish-identifying actors are strongly encouraged to submit.
DUE DATE FOR SUBMISSIONS: September 1, 2026
WHAT TO PREPARE:
Please prepare a brief cut of a contemporary musical theatre song showing range.
TAPING INSTRUCTIONS:
If you are using an iPhone to video record, please be sure to film horizontally and in a well-lit space (not backlit).
DETAILS AND SUBMISSION INSTRUCTIONS CAN BE FOUND AT:
www.tinyurl.com/unorthodoxopencall