VAL LAMAR – Our Hero. A director, a believer in democracy. Earnest and eager, he fancies himself a serious director, a gifted writer... someone who is going to take the world by storm. Very group theater, off in the wilds forging a fearless new theater in dungarees. What he lacks is the order (that Marshall gives him) and the nerve (that Billie gives him). Race will be an issue, so he should be white. Plays piano, guitar, sax and trombone.
BILLIE SMITH – Our Heroine. A homeless girl. There was a phenomenon in the Depression of runaway girls riding the rails. Tramps. It will be great to explore and honor them. Billie has kickass survival skills and some serious wiseass comments. And she teaches Val and the gang to stand up for themselves. What Val teaches her is how to stand by others, to be a part of a community. Bit of a tomboy. Plays guitar and piano.
DELORIS REYNOLDS – A girl with a lot of flirt. But strong-willed, determined to make democracy happen. Smart ass. She is on again, off again with Gus. In this draft, she is of Phillipina descent. If she is of another background, her father’s speech should be translated accordingly. Plays guitar, piano and ukulele.
BABY ROSE – “As long as America has Shirley Temple, we will be all right.” – FDR. A retired child star. One of the ones that got America through the worst of the Depression and are discarded for becoming young women. Fame obsessed. A lovely mix of a teenage Shirley Temple and Jane Withers. Equal parts Moira Rose, Marilyn Monroe and Norma Desmond. Must have a big belt voice.
MITZI – The sheriff’s daughter and a chorus girl. Sarcastic as hell. Dry sense of humor. Plays guitar.
MARSHALL MITCHELL – Val’s best friend, Black, an organizer, a great dancer.
GUS MITCHELL – Marshall’s brother and a guy who believes might is right. As good a dancer as his brother. Very good singer. On again, off again with Deloris Reynolds.
PETEY – A comedian, the box office manager, and a Communist. Plays piano, guitar and melodica.
LINCOLN VANDERPOOL – Company manager and a capitalist. Plays violin. Also the voice of Walter Winchell.
BOOKER – A member of the gang, but also gives us a wild ensemble of crazy characters. There is the voice of the Sheriff. There is Beau, a.k.a. Lee Beauregard Calhoun, the investor – a young man with old money, Southern affectation and racist views. And he plays Rene Flambeau, the famed French aviator and a drunken “fellow traveler.” He also plays guitar.