MGM+’s new half-hour comedy “American Classic” puts a washed-up Broadway ego back where it all began: his hometown. Boasting a powerhouse ensemble led by Kevin Kline (“Disclaimer”), Laura Linney (“Ozark”), Jon Tenney (“The Closer”), and Tony Shalhoub (“The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel”), “American Classic” premiered March 1 with two episodes. Co-created by Michael Hoffman (“Soapdish”) and Bob Martin (“The Prom”), the show is produced by Fifth Season in collaboration with Likely Story and Anonymous Content.
Use this guide to explore the show’s world and stay updated on potential casting opportunities.
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The eight-episode season follows Richard Bean (Kline), a narcissistic Broadway star who suffers a very public breakdown and returns home to revive his family’s theater, where he first fell in love with acting. He discovers that his brother, Jon (Tenney), has turned it into a low-rent dinner theater serving roast beef and murder mysteries. Richard sets out to save the town, the theater, and himself by staging a great American classic.
- Kevin Kline as Richard Bean
- Laura Linney as Kristen Forrest Bean
- Jon Tenney as Jon Bean
- Len Cariou as Linus Bean
- Nell Verlaque as Miranda Bean
- Jessica Hecht as Polly
- Tony Shalhoub as Alvy
- Ajay Friese as Randall Potts
- Billy Carter as Connor Boyle
- Elise Kibler as Nadia Romanova
- Jane Alexander as Ethel Bean
- Stephen Spinella as Xander
- Aaron Tveit as Troy
Bernard Telsey and Kristian Charbonier are the CDs on the series. The pair’s credits include “Mean Girls” (2024), “Theater Camp” (2023), and “tick, tick… BOOM!” (2021).
To learn more about Telsey’s approach to acting and audition insights, check out these interviews:
- Casting Director Bernard Telsey Shares Advice for Actors
- The Insider’s Guide to Bernard Telsey’s Prolific Career
- Casting Director Bernard Telsey on TV, Auditions, and His First Emmy Nod
There are currently no active casting calls for “American Classic,” as production for Season 1 has already concluded. Principal photography took place in New Jersey during the summer and fall of 2025. If the series is renewed for a second season, actors in the New York/New Jersey area should keep an eye on this casting call page for opportunities.
We also suggest you bookmark these casting directories, which are regularly updated when new information becomes available:
Prepping for a comedy audition? These guides can help:
- How to Nail a Comedy Audition
- 5 Tips for Acing Your TV Comedy Audition
- Why You Need to Be Word-Perfect in Comedy TV Auditions