POP'S DINER: A NEW 1970'S JUKEBOX MUSICAL - Brook Arts Center Non Equity Auditions

Thank you for your interest in being a part of Pop's Diner. This is truly a unique opportunity to be part of a brand new, original musical theater project in the heart of New Jersey.

After completing a successful five-month Workshop, we are now ready to cast for a premier production of Marty Alen Angstreich's new 1970's jukebox musical, Pop's Diner, at the Brook Arts Center, 10 Hamilton Street, Bound Brook, NJ. We are looking for actors/actresses for all roles, from leads thru ensemble, for adults and teens (16 and up.)

Please note: This is a non-paid, non-Union (Actors' Equity) production. Please do not come out for this Casting Call and expect to be financially compensated in any way!

Synopsis:
It's 2019, and Matthew and Debra Aster have met in their hometown to settle the affairs of their late mother, selling their childhood home and finally closing the books on their past.

With time to kill before their appointment with the attorney, Debra convinces Matt to visit their favorite place in town; the one nostalgic spot where for decades every kid would run to after school to hang out with their friends, do their homework, go on dates, fall in (and out of) love, chow down on the best burgers, fries, and shakes, and share their innermost secrets and dreams: Pop's Diner!

Pop's Diner was every kid's home away from home, so stopping by one last time for the twins was somewhat bittersweet. While Debra left town years before to pursue college and a career, Matthew gave up his dreams of becoming a famous musician and stayed behind to take care of their sick mother and a pregnant girlfriend, something for which Debra has never forgiven herself.

So, when Debra is asked the question, If you could go back and change the past, would you? what ensues is a trip back to 1978 unlike anything Debra ever thought possible. But can changing the past really change the future for the better . . . or make it worse???

Pop's Diner - https://popsdinermusical.com/audition-information

This will be an OPEN CALL AUDITION for all roles (16 and up).

For your audition, please prepare a 32-bar cut of a 1970's pop song (no Broadway songs, please!) Bring sheet music in your key; an accompanist will be provided. Also, bring a headshot and resume if you have one. You will also need to complete an audition intake form, which you can do when you arrive at the theater, or you can do ahead of time by clicking on this link: https://forms.gle/fzMUzXPFuzLaPK7v8

Can't attend in person? You can do a VIRTUAL AUDITION by videoing your song and attaching it, along with your headshot and resume, at the end of the Audition Form before clicking .

Auditions Dates:
Wednesday, September 23rd, from 6:30pm to 9:30pm
Monday, September 28th, from 6:30pm to 9:30pm

Callbacks: (as needed) on Wednesday, September 30th, at 6:30pm at our home theater, the historic Brook Arts Center (a/k/a The Somerset Cultural Arts Center) 10 Hamilton Street, Bound Brook, NJ

Rehearsal Info:
If you are selected and accept to be part of our production, rehearsals will be Monday and Wednesday evenings from 7:30pm - 10:30pm (TBD) at the Brook Arts Center beginning Monday, October 5, 2026. Additional choreography rehearsal days will be scheduled as needed (TBD). As we progress to showtime in January, rehearsals will become more frequent, especially as we enter Tech and Dress weeks.

All participants will be required to bring a laptop, iPad/tablet, or smartphone to rehearsals to use to access the Pop's Diner script and vocal score. We are not expecting to be printing hard copies at this time.

Performance Dates:
Friday and Saturday nights, January 29th and 30th, 2027
Sunday afternoon, January 31st, 2027
Location: Brook Arts Center, Bound Brook, NJ

Cast of Characters (Please note: For casting, actors should be able to play the ages as listed for each character, respectively.)

Leads:
Debra Aster (adult): Manager, Computer Technology company, California. Matt’s twin sister, Age – 58/59.
Matt Aster (adult): Accountant, small-town local firm. Debra’s twin brother, Age – 58/59.
Pop: Owner, Pop's Diner. Adult male, age mid/late-30’s, everybody’s guardian angel.
Carol: Sassy Waitress at Pop's Diner. Adult female, age mid/late-30’s, Pop’s long-time girlfriend.
Debra Aster (teen): Teenage female, aged 18. Returned to the past on a mission to set things right for her twin brother, Matt.
Matt Aster (teen): Teenage male, aged 18. Musician, popular all-around nice guy, Debra’s twin brother. In love with Andrea, the head cheerleader.
Andrea: Captain of the Cheerleaders, age 17/18, Queen Bee. Matt is her current boyfriend.
Cody: Teenage male, aged 19. Matt’s best friend and music collaborator,
Mandy: Teen female, age 17/18. Debra’s best friend. “Secretly” in love with Matt.

Supporting Leads:
Ellen Sue, Linda, Stacy: Teen females, age 17 – 18. Debra’s friends.
Greg, Johnny, Scotty: Teen males, ages 17 - 18. Matt‘s friends.
Cindy, Patty: Teen females, Cheerleaders, Age 16 – 17, very sweet and innocent, they love Matt and Debra and are dedicated to Andrea.
Trey: Teen male, Guitarist, age 19/20, music student at State College, Debra’s past and future love interest.
Mrs. Aster: (Swing) Adult female, age 40's- 50's. Matt and Debra’s loving and dedicated Jewish mom.
Mr. Aster: (Swing) Adult male, age 40's- 50's. Matt and Debra’s loving and dedicated Jewish dad.

Townspeople (Ensembles/Swing):
Adult males/females (ages 25 – 65)
Teen males/females (ages 16- 19)
Young Children (as needed) Males/Females (ages 12+)
Neighbors #1 - #4 Elderly Jewish women (four) (ages 70’s – 80’s)
Mrs. Steinberg Very elderly Jewish woman (age 80’s – 90’s), deaf!
Man Eating Cake Adult male (age mid-late 60’s)
Yankele Elderly male (age 70’s – 80’s)
Band Musicians: Bassist (Female preferred)
(Mid – Late teens) Drummer (Male preferred)
Trumpet I
Trumpet II
Tenor Sax
Trombone
Electric Guitar II