Torch Song

Coming soon… Harvey Fierstein’s

27-29 March 2026 - auditions now closed.

Torch Song (originally Torch Song Trilogy) is an iconic and highly acclaimed play by Harvey Fierstein. It tells the story of Arnold Beckoff, a Jewish gay man, drag queen, and torch singer, as he navigates love, loss, and parenthood in 1970s and 1980s New York City across three hilarious and deeply heartfelt acts.

Premiering on Broadway in 1982, Torch Song established itself as a trailblazer for queer theater by unapologetically depicting gay sexuality and families on a Broadway stage in an era of backlash against the social progress of the queer community. The play won two Tony Awards, including Best Play, and established Fierstein as one of the most important voices in modern theatre. It remains a milestone of LGBTQ+ representation and a timeless story about love, family, and the search for acceptance.

Despite being over 40 years old, Torch Song is still extremely relevant today as we see the rights of the LBGTQ+ community come under attack, which is why we wish to revive this rebellious piece. Read more about the director’s vision below!

This project is supported by the AFK (Amsterdam Fund for the Arts).

Characters

Arnold Beckoff (M/X, 25-30): The protagonist of the story. A Jewish gay man, drag queen, and torch singer. Firmly entrenched in gay culture and embraces his sexuality with pride. Hides a profound loneliness underneath his incessant wit and constant complaining.

Ed Reiss (M/X, 35-40): Arnold’s lover. A Brooklyn school teacher caught between his authentic self and his position in society. Very handsome, charming, but annoyingly mercurial. An overthinker.

Alan (M/X, 18): A hustler turned aspiring model. His dreams are too big and he’s experienced more than he should have at his age. Having once been rescued by Arnold, his love for him is now unwavering.

Laurel (F/X, 35): Ed’s liberal partner with a history of falling for queer and/or unavailable men. She hopes that Ed will be the last one. Simultaneously mature and naive.

David (M/X, 15): Arnold’s adopted son. A bright, handsome boy who’s too wise for his age. Once more skeptical, now more mischievous, and always understanding of how complex adult life can be. Desperately wants Arnold and Ed to end up together.

Mrs. Beckoff (F/X, 60): Arnold’s widowed, conservative mother. Shares her son’s tendency to complain. Now retired and moved to Florida. Struggles to accept Arnold’s homosexuality and his plans to adopt David.

We warmly welcome performers of all genders to audition with this material. While the character’s gender will remain as written in the play, we encourage you to bring your own perspective and voice to the role.

Audition Process

  1. Fill out the audition form linked on this page. No audition tapes are required! Deadline: October 20th.

  2. Audition notification. By October 27th, you will hear from us regarding the outcome of your application. If you are selected, you will also receive your audition materials and time slot (audition time slots will be between 5 and 10 minutes).

  3. Audition Day. October 30th (evening), Q-Factory, Atlantisplein 1, 1093 NE Amsterdam, room -1.16. Please arrive at least 15 minutes before your scheduled time to get settled and prepare.

  4. Callback notifications. By October 31st, those invited for callbacks will be notified. Not getting a callback does not mean you are no longer in consideration for a role. It simply means your audition already gave us enough to make a decision.

  5. Callbacks. November 2nd (evening), Q-Factory, Atlantisplein 1, 1093 NE Amsterdam, room -1.17. Please arrive at least 15 minutes before your scheduled time to get settled and prepare.

  6. Final decisions. By Monday, November 10th, all auditioning actors will receive their results.

Meet the Director

Ties Jansen is a Dutch-American actor, director, producer, and voice and speech coach.

On-stage credits in the Netherlands include the Dutch national tour of Zin in Zappelin Live (BazarMedia Productions), Heathers: the Musical, Chicago, Be More Chill (HEAP), La Cage Aux Folles, Smiley, Cabaret (QETC), …Spelling Bee (Cauldron Performing Arts). On-stage US credits: Welcome to the Wood: A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Pace Performing Arts), I Do Believe in Fairies (The Killer Darlings), This Is Our Youth, and Measure for Measure. Directing credits include Little Shop of Horrors (Musicalvereniging DOS), Be More Chill, R+H Cinderella (HEAP). Film: Blocked (Dir. Pieter Hussaarts), I Love Amsterdam…And You (Euphoria Productions), The Other Night (Skuttlbut Studios), Nachtapotheker (Dir. Omnia Hamers, as producer). Additional credits: Judas (ITA, directed by Robert Icke), The Mousetrap, Huisvrouwen bestaan niet (REP Entertainment).

Ties also regularly performs in educational theater shows for high schoolers around The Netherlands with Theatergroep Zwerm (Op de 1ste rij). Alma mater: Pace University School of Performing Arts (NYC, BFA Acting). Ties has been Treasurer of Ensemble Nieuwe Theaterwerkers (ENT) since September 2024. www.tiesjansen.com.

"Torch Song is more than just a play that tickles my funny bone and tugs at my heartstrings. In a country, continent, world in which LGBTQ+ rights are under attack, and in which queer people once again face ubiquitous marginalization as a consequence of the shaping of a perception of queerness coming from outside the community, I feel compelled to present what queerness can be, has been, and always will be. It is the centerpiece of a culture of love, acceptance, and family, and Torch Song depicts that reality perfectly. By putting it on the stage in Amsterdam, I hope to utilize Fierstein's sharp pen and monumental legacy as an act of resistance against continued marginalization."

Meet the Team

  • Lucia

    ASSISTANT DIRECTOR

    Lucia is a performer and theater maker from Spain, graduated from AMDA, NY. She made her directorial debut during her university years with "A Very Potter Musical" and "A Very Potter Sequel", in Madrid. Most recently she was assistant director for QETC's Endless Second (2023), and DOOR Foundation's "The Circle of Truth" (2024). She's incredibly grateful to be a part of this wonderful team in her first project with The Cauldron.

  • Ellen Brooker

    PRODUCTION MANAGER

    Ellen is a Canadian theatre-maker who prides herself on finding the harmony between creativity and organization and is pleased to be doing just that for Torch Song. She obtained a Master's Degree in Applied Imagination in the Creative Industries from Central St Martin's (London, England) in 2018, and has since taught Stage Management at St. Mary’s University in London, England and in workshops internationally.

    Selected production credits include: Technical Coordination for foldA, digital arts festival 2020 (Kingston, Canada), Stage Management for Morro & Jasp: Save the Date at Red Pearl Womxn international clown festival 2020 (Helsinki, Finland) and, since living in the Netherlands, Stage Management for QETC’s 2024 production of La Cage aux Folles and numerous productions with The Cauldron. 

  • Daniela Carvalho

    STAGE MANAGER

    Daniela loves sticky notes, wearing all black, and seeing a show come to life - from the rehearsal room, to backstage, to the tech booth.

    She most recently worked on Spelling Bee and La Cage aux Folles, and is excited to be back in action on this production!

  • Sheila Bosco

    TECHNICAL DIRECTOR

    In addition to her passion for drumming and musicals, Sheila began her theater career while in school in New York City and has since worked as a freelance theater technician, technical director, and sound/lighting designer. She is part of New York City’s “It’s Your Fault Theater” and serves on the boards of Outsound (San Francisco) and The Cauldron (Amsterdam).

  • Rosemary Lloyd

    COSTUME DESIGNER

    Rosemary’s creative roots are in theatre, where they first explored storytelling through acting and singing before moving behind the curtain into directing, producing, and design. Along the way, they discovered a special love for the artistry of costuming and makeup—the transformative details that bring characters fully to life. They have worked across many facets of the creative process, which gives them a well-rounded perspective and a deep appreciation for collaboration. Whether crafting an intricate look or adapting a design to fit a performer’s unique energy, Rosemary approaches each project with flexibility, imagination, and care. For them, costuming isn’t just about clothes—it’s about helping a story breathe.

Questions?

Please don’t hesitate to send us an email at contact@cauldronperformingarts.com