Thursday, May 30, 2013

Character Breakdown

Characters/roles listed in alphabetical order.  Descriptions include character bio, personality, and vocal range.

CHING HO and BUN FOO Ching Ho and Bun Foo are brothers and emigrants from China. These two are working to bring their dear mother to the United States from China. While it's nice to cast performers of Asian descent in these roles, it is not always possible. These characters must learn some Chinese, so cast kids who live for great challenges and have a keen sense of adventure. Ching Ho must be played by a boy and is the more demanding role; Bun Foo can be played by a girl. These characters sing, dance, and act, all in Chinese.
Bb3 - E5 (CHING HO) D4 -E5 (BUN FOO)
ENSEMBLE The cast can be expanded in many ways and in many places. Ensemble can appear at Hotel Priscilla, street scenes, the speakeasy, the jail scene, etc. and offers innumerable opportunities for many, many students to participate.
HOTEL PRISCILLA GIRLS The Hotel Priscilla Girls are the fellow boarders at the Hotel Priscilla. They should be good singers and actresses. The girls with solo lines include: RUTH, GLORIA, RITA, ALICE, CORA, LUCILLE and ETHEL PEAS.
JIMMY Jimmy is the male counterpart to Millie. Self-assured and cocky, this is a character who is charming, a great singer, a reasonable mover and who has a good sense of comic timing. Jimmy should be attractive in a cute, goofy sort of way.
C4 - G5
MAMA Mama is Ching Ho and Bun Foo's mother from China. She makes a surprise cameo appearance during the finale of the show. This is a great walk-on part for the principal, a local celebrity or parent. No singing, no dancing involved.
MILLIE DILLMOUNT Millie is the sweet, classic ingĂ©nue with pluck. The role requires excellent vocal chops; in fact, no other character in the Broadway Junior collection of shows sings as much as Millie. The role of Millie is the perfect star turn for that extra special performer. A young woman with an excellent Broadway style voice with lots of stamina. Millie must also have charisma, a great sense of comedy, good acting skills and be able to hold her own as a dancer.
G#3 - E5
MISS DOROTHY Miss Dorothy is the perfect role for a young lady with a voice that is more classical than Broadway. She should be attractive, a good actress and should contrast physically with Millie.
F#4 - F5
MISS FLANNERY Miss Flannery is the office manager. She's uptight (think librarian) and stern, a real no-nonsense kind of gal. An up-and-comer who's not quite ready for a huge lead, but is definitely ready to break out of the chorus. Having tap skills and a good sense of comedy are definite pluses for this gem of a role.
A4 - C5
MRS. MEERS Mrs. Meers is the villain of our story. Think Cruella DeVille meets Miss Hannigan. An over-the-top "scenery chewer" who has an excellent sense of comedic timing.
A3 - F#4
TREVOR GRAYDON THE THIRD Trevor Graydon the Third is Millie's boss and she's determined to marry him. A great singer who's not afraid to be a bit of a goof ball.
A3 - F5