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Bugsy Malone is the hero of our story. Cast a handsome young man who can sing and act. This role is equal parts Jimmy Stewart, James Bond and Gene Kelly. Bugsy alternates as the narrator and the star of the show. A young performer comfortable in front of an audience, who radiates a sense of charm and sincerity as well as a street-wise sensibility, will take your show a long way towards success.Gender: maleVocal range top: D5Vocal range bottom: C#4
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Blousey is at first the typical young, wide-eyed, would-be star, just off the bus from a small town. However, we find out that Blousey is a force to be reckoned with and certainly nobody’s fool. This is a large role that requires good singing and acting, but the key to casting Blousey is finding a young actor who is at home with comedy. A young Carol Burnett type is one recommendation.Gender: femaleVocal range top: D5Vocal range bottom: E4
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Fat Sam is the baddest of the bad guys whose biggest rival is Dandy Dan. Fat Sam should be an adept physical comedian with a commanding stage presence. Sam sings, so make sure you’ve got an actor who can carry a tune; but moreover, finding an experienced actor with good projection and diction skills is important. Fat Sam carries much of the dialogue of the show. Note that Fat Sam does not need to be fat. You can dress him in a fat suit or cast a really small kid with booming voice for comedic effect.Gender: maleVocal range top: C5Vocal range bottom: G4
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Tallulah is the classic gangster’s moll. Cast a young woman who is self-confident and can deliver the role with deadpan sincerity and droll appeal. Tallulah is a Mae West type with a talent for performing. She needs to be a strong singer for her self-titled number.Gender: femaleVocal range top: B4Vocal range bottom: B3
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Dandy Dan is the unflappably stylish, debonair underworld businessman who outwits Fat Sam every step of the way. Your Dan should be comfortable singing his song, “That’s Why They Call Him Dandy.” Find an actor with just the right sense of style and grace.Gender: maleVocal range top: C#5Vocal range bottom: G3
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Fizzy is an employee of Fat Sam s at the Grand Slam, whose duties involve cleaning up the place. To cast Fizzy, find an actor who can really deliver the song, Tomorrow. It is a difficult song that requires emotional singing and a significant range. Hopefully, you ll find a singer who can deliver Fizzy s sad-eyed hopes and dreams as he sweeps up.Gender: maleVocal range top: D5Vocal range bottom: C4
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Fat Sam’s Gang includes Roxy Robinson, Angelo, Snake Eyes, Ritzy, Shake Down Louis, and Sam’s right hand man, Knuckles. You may add as many ensemble members to the gang as your stage can accommodate. These fellows are bumbling, funny, non-threatening hoodlums. They should be able to sing with gusto (if not on tune) and be willing to work on the rigors of physical comedy. Many productions have successfully cast girls in these roles.Gender: anyVocal range top: D5Vocal range bottom: C4
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Dandy’s gang members are really bad guys. Also known as The Hoods, they sing a little, but they splurge a lot! Cast suave-looking types who can pull off slicked-back hair and double-breasted suits. Many productions have successfully cast girls in these roles. The Hoods include: Bronx Charlie, Benny Lee, Yonkers, Laughing Boy and Doodle. You may add as many ensemble members to the gang as your stage can safely accommodate. Remember, girls can easily be dressed up as male gangsters.Gender: anyVocal range top: D5Vocal range bottom: G3
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Lena Marelli is the star of the Lena Marelli Show!, and she lets everyone know it. Cast a young performer who can TAKE OVER THE STAGE with a strong singing voice. An affected character voice is practically a requirement to deliver this role (refer to Rehearsal CD included in your ShowKit for an example). Lena is not very bright, but she is very loud. Think Lina Lamont from Singin’ In The Rain.Gender: femaleVocal range top: F5Vocal range bottom: A4
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The Tallulah s Girls perform at the speakeasy, and they include Tillie, Loretta, Dotty and Bangles. These girls should be very at home singing and dancing and should work well as ensemble singers. They are basically Tallulah s gang! Bangles has the most dialogue of these girls, so you might want to put your best actor in that role.Gender: femaleVocal range top: D5Vocal range bottom: B3
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These roles are featured comedic parts that do not require great singers: Oscar De Velt is the stage equivalent of Cecil B. Demille. A strong, confident actor will fit the bill here. Marbini the Magician and the Ventriloquist are two wonderfully funny smaller roles in the audition scene with Oscar De Velt. Both of them are convinced they are world famous. Cast performers who can really sell these roles for all they are worth. The Opera Singer and the other bits in this scene are all great cameos.Gender: any
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The Down and Outs are representative of out-of-work Depression era men and women of the soup kitchens, which include the Cooks serving in the kitchens. The Down and Outs are ready for a cause and helping Bugsy bring peace between Fat Sam and Dandy Dan is just what the doctor ordered. Additional ensemble roles in this scene include the Priest, Clipboard Willy and two Delivery Guys. If you have a smaller cast, you can use the splurged from earlier scenes (Fat Sam s Gang!).Gender: any
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Other standout ensemble roles include: The Radio Announcer, Paper Boy (or Girl), Razmataz, Maître D s, Elegantly Dressed Lady, Waitress, Louella, the Butler, the Trumpet Player on Roller Skates, the Line of Auditionees at the Bijoux, Pop Becker, the Barber and Flash Frankie. These are all good comic roles for young performers. In a smaller ensemble you can double many of these parts. For instance, the Radio Announcer could also play Flash Frankie and Pop Becker. Additionally, students can be cast as Speakeasy staff and customers, including a Waiter, Candy Cigarette Girls, Lena s Bodyguards, Male Gamblers, additional Chorus Girls, Splurge Attendants, Speakeasy Customers, and Members of Fat Sam and Dandy Dan s Gangs. While these are smaller roles, stress to your cast that often small, comedic roles steal the show and make for an even, well-rounded evening at the theatre.
Gender: any
Cast Description
Guys and Dolls JR Cast Description
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Nathan Detroit is the heart and soul of Guys And Dolls JR. Your Nathan needn’t be a great singer, but should be a very good actor with excellent comic timing and able to handle a sizable role. His presence must draw the focus in any scene. Looking for an actor who can take positive risks with his acting and singing. Nathan’s big secret is that he wants to marry Adelaide; he just can’t bring himself to admit it.
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Miss Adelaide is the classic “intellectually-challenged floozy.” This actress doesn’t need to be a strong singer, but she must have a good sense of pitch. Adelaide needs to be funny and able to do a convincingly thick New York City dialect.
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Sky Masterson is the quintessential, “smooth-as-velvet” Broadway gambler; he’s slick and charming. In today’s terms he would be called “a player.” Sky should have a strong voice capable of owning the stage when delivering “Luck Be a Lady.” He has a soft spot for Sarah Brown.
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Sarah Brown is the “girl next door” with an adventurous side that’s waiting to escape. She is gently authoritative, the mirror opposite of Sky. Sky is her weakness. Sarah is about substance as much as Sky is about style. She should be an excellent actress as well as singer, and must be able to show two distinct sides of herself.
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Arvide Abernathy is Sarah Brown’s grandfather and the bass drum player in the Mission Band. This part can easily be cast as a girl, changing the character to Sarah’s grandmother. This non-singing role is perfect for an actor who can portray a parental type.
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Nicely – Nicely Johnson is walking, talking, Broadway comedy. Looking for a performer who has fantastic comic timing and is naturally funny.
Vocal range top: F5Vocal range bottom: Bb3 -
Benny Southstreet and Rusty Charlie are the small-time gambler sidekicks of Nicely- Nicely Johnson. These are perfect roles for good actors who are naturally funny. They should be confident singers (they open the show with “The Fugue for Tin Horns”) and have a handle on comic timing. Can be cast as Male or Female.
Vocal range top: E5Vocal range bottom: Bb3 -
Benny Southstreet and Rusty Charlie are the small-time gambler sidekicks of Nicely- Nicely Johnson. These are perfect roles for good actors who are naturally funny. They should be confident singers (they open the show with “The Fugue for Tin Horns”) and have a handle on comic timing. Can be cast as Male or Female.
Vocal range top: E5Vocal range bottom: Bb3 -
Harry the Horse and Big Jule are colorful additions to the crapshooters crew. Looking for strong and humorous characters.
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Harry the Horse and Big Jule are colorful additions to the crapshooters crew. Looking for strong and humorous characters.
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Lt. Brannigan is the police officer that always plays the patsy and is outwitted by the Gamblers.
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General Cartwright is the formidable leader of the Save-a-Soul Mission organization.
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The Gamblers/Guys are the well-dressed “comic glue” of the show. They are the rest of your male ensemble (except for the Mission Band). A variety of gamblers, pedestrians, workers, NYC folks of all types will work perfectly for this group.
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The Hot Box Girls work in the club and are in the act “A Bushel and a Peck” where Miss Adelaide is the headliner.
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The Master of Ceremonies is the host at the Hot Box Club.
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The Dolls are other ensemble females that are not Hot Box girls or Mission Band members.
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The Mission Band is the tireless group that can be comprised of as many performers as you wish. They are more about persistence than precision. The Mission Band includes Agatha, Calvin, Martha, and Bertha.
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Don’t forget that you will need to cast Cops and a Street Vendor from your ensemble.
Fiddler on the Roof Cast Description
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Tevye is the heart and conscience of Fiddler on the Roof JR. Tevye is often cast as a larger young man, but his stature really comes from his integrity and zest for life. Tevye should be able to show the wide range of conflict, joy and pain that this character feels throughout the story.
Gender: maleVocal range top: E5Vocal range bottom: B3 -
Golde is the backbone of the family. She has a rather gruff exterior, but in her heart is sheer dedication to her family. When casting Golde, remember that she must be able to manage Tevye. She runs the household, and must be able to keep Tevye s more emotional side in check. Conversely, she should be able to show a softer side when dealing with Chava and Tevye s rift.
Gender: femaleVocal range top: Db5Vocal range bottom: Bb3 -
Tzeitel is the oldest daughter of Tevye and Golde. She is the first to challenge the traditions of Anatevka by pleading with her fateher to let her marry Motel the tailor, to whom she has pledged her love. Keep in mind that she is the oldest daughter, is determined and can manipulate her father.
Gender: femaleVocal range top: C5Vocal range bottom: B3 -
Hodel is a strong, independent middle child. She is outspoken but respectful. She has her eye on the Rabbi s son at the outset of the story, but she is charmed by the revolutionary Perchick the moment she meets him, though she may not show it right away. Her dedication and love is real as she follows him to Siberia.
Gender: femaleVocal range top: D5Vocal range bottom: Bb3 -
Chava is the scholarly daughter who loves to read. Her love the Russian, Fyedka, tests her father to the very limit and provides the largest conflict in the story.
Gender: femaleVocal range top: B4Vocal range bottom: Bb3 -
Shprintze and Bielke are the youngest daughters of Tevye and Golde. They are considerably younger than the three matchmaker daughters.
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Motel is the poor, young tailor who is charmed with Tzeitel. He is an endearing sort of Woody Allen type.
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Perchik is a young student who brings with him radical new ideas that challenge the traditions of the community. Perchik should be able to hold his own with Tevye. He is a strong character, and clashes with Tevye idealistically, but is likable, charming and ultimately becomes a loyal family member.
Gender: maleVocal range top: C5Vocal range bottom: B3 -
Lazar Wolf is a butcher, the town s wealthiest citizen and is the same age as, if not older, than, Tevye. Lazar could easily be played by a large boy, but an actor of any size can pull off this role. Lazar must appear rather distasteful and feisty, which is why Tzeitel is frightened to marry him. Lazar is one of the featured singers in To Life.
Gender: maleVocal range top: D5Vocal range bottom: C4 -
We are looking for an actor who can hold the attention of an entire audience with stylized movement, facial expression and dance. Freedom of movement and expression are the keys to casting this character. The Fiddler is a silent role, yet an important one, and can easily be played by either a boy or a girl.
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Yente is the middle-aged widow who matches up the young people of the village in hopes that they will marry. She is a village busybody and knows all the news of the town.
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The constable is the local sheriff representing the Russian government. Cast an actor who can provide a sense of threat and conflict. The constable is a complex character, caught between his good nature towards the people of Anatevka and his duty to the non-Jewish Russian government. This is a non-singing role that requires a strong actor.
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Fyedka is a strong, young, Russian soldier who falls in love with Chava.
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Mordcha, Yussel, Avram, the Rabbi and Mendel are smaller roles that add much to the richness of the community portrayed in Fiddler on the Roof JR. Mordcha is a friendly, interesting innkeeper. Yussel is a hatter. Avram is a bookseller. Mendel is the Rabbi s son. The Rabbi is the spiritual center of the community and the actor should be able to play an old man onstage. He should have a comic feel, although this is a serious role.
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The Villagers will portray the people of the village as Papas, Mamas, Sons or Daughters. Also included in this group are the Guests, Inn Patrons, Motel s Parents and Motel s Relations.
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The First Man, Second Man, Another Man, First Woman, Second Woman and Third Woman.
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The Russian Soldiers are under the command of the Constable.