The Untold Story of the Collyer Brothers by Finn Gallagher
Produced by Strollers Theatre at Bartell Theatre’s Evjue Stage October 11-26.
Synopsis: The real-life Collyer Brothers of Harlem, famously reclusive millionaire hoarders, wanted nothing more than to be left alone in their brownstone mansion with their 140 ton “collection.” After suffering a stroke, Homer Collyer was left blind and paralyzed, entirely reliant on his younger brother, Langley, to care for him. Langley and Homer have very different opinions on their solitude, their collection, and the newspaper reporters knocking at the door, but they’re stuck together. That is, until Langley dies suddenly, and Homer is left to starve. He reminisces on his life, his memories, and the opportunity to finally tell his story, his way.
Here’s the audition form, which includes a character breakdown and production schedule. The parts we’re casting for with these actors are Young Homer and Young Langley. The other parts have all been cast.
Rehearsals will begin August 25 and be Sundays-Thursdays from 7 pm-9:30pm.
Tech week and performances will be at the Bartell Theatre. Tech begins October 6.
Opening night will be October 11. Closing night will be October 26.
Please submit a video audition of the attached monologue to Finn Gallagher at finnegallagher@gmail.com
Audition Monologue:
HOMER (CONT’D).
Is someone there? Anyone? Don’t hurt me. I’m blind. Take whatever you want. Can you
just please tell me if my brother is breathing?
(HOMER looks around, sightless, and realizes no
one has broken in…)
HOMER (CONT’D).
…Oh, but there is someone, after all. Come to stare, like the others? You had your
chance. I just wanted to tell my story. But you wouldn’t take it. And now, it’s too late.
And don’t think there’s anything you can do, either.
If there was, I wouldn’t be able to see you. Because here, in 1947, in my brownstone in
Harlem, I’m as blind as a star-nosed mole. But you? You’re not anywhere near Harlem,
and it’s not 1947. So if you try to come up onstage and check my brother’s pulse for me,
he’ll stand up and say, “What the hell are you doing? Go back to your seat.” He’s an
actor. This is a Play. It isn’t realistic; it represents.
I’ve had a long time to develop my second sight. I can’t move, I can’t see, there are no
distractions, just moments of pure contemplation. To figure out what all went wrong. And
to show you. That will be the Play.
A few days from now, someone will phone the police to complain about the stink coming
from the Collyer Brothers’ house. It’ll take time. It could be days before they find us. But
you’ll have to watch. That’s what you wanted, anyway. That’s why you spent the time
and the money for a night at the theater, isn’t it? Well, feast your eyes…