This one should be fun! The tricky thing with MR is that they specifically ask for non-musical theatre songs (Hadestown does this, too). My challenge for myself for this breakdown was trying to stay away from the pop songs already featured in the show. Some of the songs repeat since they can fit a few different characters.
Unfortunately I can't seem to find actual notes for the ranges (but given they changed keys for all of Christian's stuff when they brought in Derek, I don't think it's too important).
Satine
Playing age: Late 20s-Mid 30s
Leading Role. Star Vehicle
Dance Requirement: Strong mover at the very least, ideally a dancer
Range: Mezzo belt (Bottom note is about an F#3)
Sexy and confident on the outside, Satine wants nothing more than to be free of her life in the Moulin Rouge to be a real actress. She's both strong and vulnerable with a decisive pragmatic streak.
Suggested Songs: Breakaway by Kelly Clarkson, Leave by Jojo, A Million Reasons by Lady Gaga, Fighter by Christina Aguilera, Bang Bang by Ariana Grande & Jessie J, ft. Nicki Minaj, Since U Been Gone by Kelly Clarkson, Big Girls Don’t Cry by Fergie, Trouble by P!nk, Who Knew by P!nk, Circus by Britney Spears, Shadows of the Night by Pat Benatar
Christian
Playing age: Mid 20s-Early 30s
Leading Role. Star Vehicle
Dance Requirement: Some dance
Range: Tenor (or Baritenor)
A true idealist, Christian is a bit naive. More or less a male ingenue at the start. He believes love can and will conquer any obstacle and that art is the true meaning of being human. As the newcomer character, he is also the main cipher for the audience.
Suggested Songs: DJ Got Us Fallin’ In Love by Usher, Mr. Brightside by The Killers, You Give Love A Bad Name by Bon Jovi, I Write Sins Not Tragedies by Panic! At the Disco, Livin’ La Vida Loca by Ricky Martin, Attention by Charlie Puth, The Other Side by Jason Derulo, Tearin’ Up My Heart by NSYNC
The Duke of Monroth
Playing age: 30s-early 40s
Supporting Role
Dance Requirement: Mover
Range: Tenor w/ a strong lower extension or high Baritone
Darkly charming and seductive, with a violent temper, The Duke is the other third of the iconic love triangle in Moulin Rouge. However, rather than the sniveling man-child of the movie, he's a viable, though dangerous, choice for Satine. He knows what he wants and will not take no for an answer.
Suggested Songs: Everybody (Backstreet’s Back) by the Backstreet Boys, Paralyzer by Finger Eleven, Tonight I’m Lovin’ You by Enrique Iglesias, Bad Guy by Billie Eilish
Santiago
Playing age: 20s-30s
Supporting Role
Dance Requirement: Strong dancer with partnering skills
Range: Baritone with a gruff, scratchy color. Lots of false fold work.
Santiago is the narcoleptic Argentinian, the greatest tango dancer in either Spain or Argentina, and "also the biggest gigolo." Suave, and just a touch silly. He's the choreographer of the show within a show. He and Toulouse take an immediate shine to Christian.
Suggested Songs: Smooth by Santana, Bailando by Enrique Iglesias, Hips Don’t Lie by Shakira, Livin’ La Vida Loca by Ricky Martin, Maneater by Nelly Furtado, Rock Your Body by Justin Timberlake
Toulouse Lautrec
Playing age: Mid 30s-mid 40s
Supporting Role
Dance Requirement: Some movement
Range: Baritone
The great painter, Toulouse is another of the Bohemians. He grew up with Satine (or at least has known her since before her time at the Moulin Rouge). A little world weary, he still believes in the ideals of Freedom, Beauty, Truth, and Love.
Suggested Songs: 24 Karat Magic by Bruno Mars, Somebody to Love by Queen, The One that Got Away by Katy Perry, A Million Reasons by Lady Gaga, DJ Got Us Fallin’ In Love by Usher
Harold Zidler
Playing Age: Mid 40s-mid 50s
Supporting Role
Dance Requirement: Strong Mover
Range: Baritone
The MC/Ring Master of the Moulin Rouge. He is flamboyant and fun, though very morally gray. Everything he does is for the MR and he will do anything to keep it running.
Suggested Songs: Circus by Britney Spears, Mambo No. 5 by Lou Bega, Bang Bang by Ariana Grande & Jessie J, ft. Nicki Minaj, Nothin’ But a Good Time by Poison, Tik Tok by Kesha
Nini Legs-in-the-Air/The Lady Ms
Playing Ages: Mid 20s-Early 40s
Supporting Roles
Dance Requirement: Strong Dancers
Range: Alto, Mezzo, or Soprano
Nini is another dancer at the Moulin Rouge, though jealous of Satine, she's deeply loyal to all the girls. The other Lady M characters include Baby Doll, Arabia, and La Chocolat. These characters also serve as a bit of a Greek Chorus, and ensemble members. These Four: Nini, Baby Doll, Arabia, and La Chocolat sing Lady Marmalade to open the show. Typically Baby Doll is cast with an amab actor though the character is femme presenting and La Chocolat is cast with a Black actor.
Suggested Songs: Bang Bang by Ariana Grande & Jessie J, ft. Nicki Minaj, Maneater by Nelly Furtado, U + Ur Hand by P!nk, Genie in a Bottle by Christina Aguilera, He Said She Said by Ashely Tisdale, When I Grow Up by the Pussycat Dolls, S&M by Rhianna, I Wanna Be Bad by Willa Ford, Kings and Queens by Ava Max
This is another beautiful show that I really love!
Below the cut for length
Tevye
Playing Age: 40s-60s
Lead Role, Star Vehicle
Range: Low Tenor or Baritone (Ab2-F4)
Dance Requirement: Some Movement
Tevye is the father of 5 girls, and, though poor, he is well-liked in his village of Anatevka. He takes his job very seriously to lead his family with pride in their Jewish faith and reverence for the traditions that guide and shape their lives.
Suggested songs:
Ballads: Stay I Pray You, Anastasia; Edelweiss, The Sound of Music; This Was Nearly Mine, South Pacific
Uptempo/Midtempo: I’m Glad I’m Not Young Anymore, Gigi; Heart, Damn Yankees; I Wonder What the King is Doing Tonight, Camelot; A Puzzlement, The King and I
Golde
Playing Age: 40s-60s
Supporting Lead Role
Range: Mezzo (A3-Eb5)
Dance Requirement: Some Movement
Golde is Tevye's wife. She's very practical and wants an easier life for her children.
Suggested Songs:
Just a Housewife, Working; Take Care of This House, 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue; You'll Never Walk Alone, Carousel; Climb Every Mountain, The Sound of Music; Distant Melody, Peter Pan
Tzeitl, Hodel, and Chava
Playing Ages: Late teens-early 20s for Tzeitl and Hodel, Mid to late teens for Chava
Supporting Lead roles
Range: Mezzo or Soprano (B3-E5)
Dance Requirement: Some Movement; Chava is a dancer
Tzeitl is the eldest of Tevye's five daughters. The most mature of her sisters, she's secretly in love with her childhood friend, Motel the tailor. Hodel is the second daughter. She's witty and a bit headstrong. She eventually must leave Anatevka when the Revolutionary she loves is sentenced to Siberia. Chava is the third. She's a sweet and kind soul who loves to read. She needs a strong dramatic actress.
Suggested Songs:
In My Own Little Corner, Cinderella; A Lovely Night, Cinderella; This is All Very New to Me, Plain and Fancy; Wonderful Wonderful Day, Seven Brides for Seven Brothers; How Could I Ever Know, The Secret Garden; Belle (Reprise), Beauty and the Beast; God Help the Outcasts; Hunchback of Notre Dame; A Change in Me, Beatuy and the Beast; Much More, The Fantasticks
Yente
Playing Age: 50s-70s
Supporting Role
Range: Mezzo or Alto (F3-F5)
Dance Requirement: Some Movement
The village matchmaker, Yente is every nosy aunt/grandma to ever exist. She considers herself very good at her job. Requires a strong comedic actress
Suggested Songs:
So What, Cabaret; Mother Knows Best, Tangled; No Time At All, Pippin; What Would You Do, Cabaret;
Motel
Playing Age: Late teens to Early 20s
Supporting Role
Range: Tenor (E3-F#4)
Dance Requirement: Some Movement
The village tailor, Motel is a little neurotic, but sweet. He's in love with Tzeitl, but is afraid to go against Yente, the matchmaker
Suggested Songs:
All I Need is the Girl, Gypsy; Love I Hear, A Funny Thing...Forum; She Loves Me, She Loves Me; Tonight at Eight, She Loves Me
Perchik
Playing Age: Early 20s
Supporting Role
Range: Baritenor (B2-E4)
Dance Requirement: Some Movement
A travelling teacher who holds revolutionary views. He comes into the village and Tevye hires him to tutor Schprintze and Bielke. He falls in love with Hodel, but is eventually sentenced to exile in Siberia for his politics.
Suggested Songs:
Something's Coming, West Side Story; On the Street Where You Live, My Fair Lady; What Do I Need With Love, Thoroughly Modern Millie; Almost Like Being in Love, Brigadoon; How I Am, Little Women
Fyedka
Playing Age: Mid-Teens to Early 20s
Featured role
Range: Mostly Spoken (possible solo in L'Chaim)
Dance Requirement: Dancer
A young Russian soldier who against all judgment falls in love with Chava. Though he has a good heart, Fyedka is diametrically opposed to all the things Tevye wants for his daughter.
Suggested Songs: Any uptempo golden age song should be appropriate
Shprintze and Bielke
Playing Ages: 8-12
Featured roles
Range: No solo singing
Dance Requirement: Some Movement
The younger two of Tevye's five daughters. They are tutored by Perchik.
The show also features a large and colorful Ensemble from which the roles of Lazar Wolf, Fruma Sarah, and Grandma Tzeitl are often cast. Any uptempo golden age song should be appropriate (so long as it's not too jazz-adjacent).
Quick pronunciation guide if you've never heard the names spoken:
Generally, air on the side of emphasizing the first syllable
Tevye: TEHV-ya
Golde: GOLD-a
Yente: YEN-ta
Tzeitl: tZ-EYE-tul (or ZIGH-Tul if that's an easier way to brain it, zigh like sigh)
Hodel: Huddle
Chava: Haw-va (Really more of the ch as in Loch Ness;)
Motel: MO-tul
Perchik: PEAR-chick
Fyedka: f-YED-ka (A short form of Fyodor--in English his name would be Teddy or Ted)
Shprintze: Sh-PRINT-zuh
Bielke: b-yELK-uh (I think...this is the one I'm not super confident on).
Here’s a breakdown for one of my top 10 favorite musicals: Bonnie & Clyde by Frank Wildhorn. It flopped really hard on Broadway, but you guys know by now that that seems to be the way to my heart for a musical. For the playing ages, I went with the ages of the actual historical characters.
Below the cut for length
Bonnie Parker
Playing age: 22-24
Leading Role. Star Vehicle
Range: G3-F5, belt to D5. Contemporary Broadway belt with some ability for a jazzy ballad or two
Bonnie is ambitious, ruthless, and and dying to be glamorous. She uses sex appeal to get what she wants (or at least she tries). Her meeting and romance with Clyde was the perfect storm that broughtout all the most dangerous parts in her. The key, as with Clyde, is that she (within the show) needs to be likeable and relatable. Part of this is taken care of by virtue of her and Clyde’s relationship, but the audience needs to understand her need to be famous (or at least infamous). Her depth is shown through her love of poetry (some of the actual poetry the real-life Bonnie wrote is used in the script).
Suggested Songs: Fly Fly Away, Catch Me If You Can; Hopelessly Devoted to You, Grease; Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow, Beautiful; Love Will Come and Find Me Again, Bandstand;
Clyde Barrow
Playing age: 23-25
Leading Role. Star Vehicle.
Range: A2-C5. Contemporary Broadway tenor, must be strong in upper range.
Clyde is an example of a kid being hardened into a criminal by jail time. He’s daring, bold, and becomes dangerous. He goes from small time robberies to a big time criminal. He and Bonnie complement each other in all the worst ways. His drive to never be poor again comes from his destitute childhood. He has a taste for expensive cars and clothes. The appeal as a character for both him and Bonnie comes from how deeply they love each other in addition to his overwhelming charm. The depth of Clyde’s love for Bonnie is shown through the song he writes and plays for her (that being said, playing ukulele is a plus for this role).
Suggested Songs: Run Away With Me (overdone) from The Mad Ones; Donny Novitski from Bandstand; What is it About Her from The Wild Party (Lippa); Whoa Mama, Bright Star; Heartbreaker, Bright Star; Love Stolen, The Robber Bridegroom
Marvin “Buck” Barrow
Playing age: 28-30
Supporting Role
Range: B2-G4. Comic sound, lower Tenor or Baritone with a bit of an upper extension.
Buck is Clyde’s big brother and one of his partners in crime. He’s loyal to a fault, loves his wife and brother, and is very obviously not the brains of the operation.
Suggested Songs: It Don’t Get Better Than This from Urban Cowboy; Steal with Style from The Robber Bridegroom; Guv’ment from Big River
Blanche Barrow
Playing age: 21-23 (though normally cast as older than Bonnie and Clyde to go along with Buck being Clyde’s older brother)
Supporting Role
Range: G3-Eb5, a bright mezzo with an upper extension
Blanche is Buck’s long suffering, devoutly Christian wife. She doesn’t approve of his and his brother’s criminal activity, but ends up sucked in anyway. After a severely traumatic childhood, Blanche wants nothing more than a normal life as a wife and mother, the latter of which was made impossible for her by that trauma. She needs an actress with both strong comedic chops and a great ability for depth.
Suggested Songs: Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow arrangement used in Beautiful, So Far Away arrangement used in Beautiful, Hard Candy Christmas from Best Little Whorehouse in Texas, Jolene by Dolly Parton, Another Round from Bright Star, How Did We Come to This from The Wild Party (Lippa)
Ted Hinton
Playing age: 22-24
Supporting Role
Range: C3-A4, contemporary Broadway Tenor
Ted is Bonnie’s former classmate who still has romantic feelings for her. He is a Sherriff’s deputy and is thus torn between love and duty once Bonnie falls in with Clyde. He’s honest, hard working, loyal, and boring. He’s more in love with the idea of Bonnie or the memory of who she was than who she is now.
Suggested Songs: Bright Star from Bright Star, It All Fades Away from Bridges of Madison County, Sibella from Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder
Ensemble Tracks
This show can have a fairly large ensemble with a lot to do. They play the townsfolk, church members, cops and guards, salon ladies, and breadline folks
Here is a list of some of the featured Ensemble parts.
Young Clyde/Young Bonnie - ages 8-12, these two portray the young versions of the titular characters in “Picture Show”. Young Clyde can be played by a girl or a boy (a production a bunch of my friends were in went with the former option as no young boys auditioned)
Suggested Songs: I Want To Go To Hollywood from Grand Hotel, Everlasting from Tuck Everlasting, Born to Entertain from Ruthless, Red Ryder Carbine Action BB Gun from A Christmas Story, King of New York from Newsies
Governor Miriam Ferguson - Gov. Ferguson is the one who gathers the team that eventually gets Bonnie and Clyde. She is strong and no-nonsense.
Cumie Barrow - Cumie is Clyde and Buck’s mother. She loves her sons, but is dissapointed in their life of crime and perhaps feels a little guilty that they didn’t have more growing up.
Emma Parker - Bonnie’s widowed mother. She tried her best to do right by her daughter. Very disapproving of Bonnie’s relationship with Clyde
Suggested Songs for the above roles (in addition to others mentioned above): My Child Will Forgive Me from Parade, Way Back in the Day from Bright Star, Sun is Gonna Shine from Bright Star
Henry Barrow - Clyde and Buck’s father. A hard-working, simple man, he tried his best to provide for his family in the face of the Great Depression.
Preacher - the town’s zealous, revivalist preacher. Needs to be a particularly strong singer as he carries two songs in the show, one in each act.
Captain Frank Hamer - Recruited by Gov. Ferguson to catch the eponymous duo. He’s a retired Texas Ranger.
Bob Alcorn - The best sharp shooter in Texas. He is recruited by Hamer to help catch Bonnie and Clyde.
Suggested Songs for the above roles (in addition to others mentioned above): A Man’s Gotta Do from Bright Star, Firmer Hand from Bright Star,
Here’s a new thing I’m trying! Basically breakdowns and descriptions of characters in a show along with the audition songs I suggest for them! I figued I’d start with a show I know inside and out. Below the Cut for length. This is specific to the 2005 Jason Howland/Mindi Dickstein version.
Josephine “Jo” March
Playing age: 15-22 (character ages through the show)
Lead. A Star Vehicle role. Jo barely leaves the stage (I should know, I’ve played her before).
Range: E3-A5, Belt to E5. Mezzo Belt (or strong mix)
Dance Requirement: Some movement
Jo is fiery, exuberant, and passionate. All her emotions are extremes which can lead her to be rather blunt or brash and very headstrong. She starts as a complete tomboy and keeps a lot of that as she grows up. The show begins with her in her 20s living in a boarding house in New York City and then Act I flashes back to her teen years in Concord, MA with Act II coming back to her 20s. Her journey is tied to finding her own unique voice as an author rather than just writing what she thinks will sell.
Suggested Songs:
Uptempo: Spark of Creation, Children of Eden; Watch What Happens, Newsies; I’m Your Man, Meet John Doe; Times are Hard for Dreamers, Amelie; The Writing on the Wall, The Mystery of Edwin Drood; Live Out Loud, A Little Princess
Midtempo: Journey to the Past, Anastasia;
Ballad: Woman, The Pirate Queen; He Threw Me, Meet John Doe; A Change in Me, Beauty and the Beast
Theodore “Laurie” Laurence
Playing age: 15-22 (ages through the show)
Supporting Character. Doubles as Roderigo I
Range: Bb2-Bb4 (A youthful, contemporary high Tenor)
Dance Requirement: Some movement
Laurie is the quintessential boy next door. He lives with his grandfather and his cat across the way from the March sisters and quickly becomes enthralled by the love, warmth, and joy in their family that he feels lacking in his own house. He and Jo are best friends and almost too alike. After Jo rejects his proposal, he goes away to Europe where (after reuiniting with a now grown up Amy) he matures and he and Jo are able to resume their friendship (now as brother-in-law and sister-in-law). As Roderigo I, he starts as the generic hero of the story Jo is writing.
Suggested Songs:
Uptempo: Top of the World, Tuck Everlasting; Partner in Crime, Tuck Everlasting (Originally duets, can be arranged as solos)
Midtempo: My Petersburg, Anastasia; Corner of the Sky, Pippin (overdone)
Ballad: Proud of Your Boy, Aladdin; I’ll Be There, The Pirate Queen
Margaret “Meg” March
Playing age: 16-23
Supporting Character. Doubles as Clarissa
Range: Bb3-B5 (Legit Soprano)
Dance Requirement: Some movement
Meg is the eldest of the March sisters and takes it upon herself to try and teach her younger sisters how to act like a proper lady--though she’s still really a kid herself . Meg is the only one of the sisters with a solid memory of what it was like when the family was wealthy and often finds herself yearning for the ease the money would bring to her life. She wants to be accepted and admired in society, but learns that her own happiness is much more important than status or money. As Clarissa, she is the heroine of the story Jo writes growing with Jo’s skill as an author from a generic damsel in distress to her own knight in shining armor.
Suggested Songs: Till there Was You, The Music Man; I’ve Never Been in Love Before, Guys and Dolls; Goodnight My Someone, The Music Man; I Saw Him Once, Les Miserables; I Could Have Danced All Night, My Fair Lady
Elizabeth “Beth” March
Playing age: 13-21 (character ages through the show)
Supporting Character. Doubles as Roderigo II
Range: A3-G5 (Mix Soprano)
Dance Requirement: Some movement
Beth is the third-born of the March sisters. She is the peace-maker of the family and can always be counted on to support or uplift her sisters whenever they need it. She is constantly willing to go out of her way to help those who need it (such as their poor neighbors, The Hummels) and has a deep love of music through which she bonds with Grandfather Laurence. As Roderigo II, she is the twist that shows Jo’s unique flair as a writer, turning out to be the heroine’s sister in disguise rather than another generic swashbuckling hero.
Suggested Songs: How Could I Ever Know, The Secret Garden; The Girl I Mean to Be, The Secret Garden; Much More, The Fantasticks (overdone); Far From the Home I Love, Fiddler on the Roof; The Secret of Happiness, Daddy Long Legs; In My Own Little Corner, R&H Cinderella
Amelia “Amy” Curtis March
Playing age: 12-20 (sometimes cast with 2 actresses as younger and older Amy)
Supporting Character. Doubles as Troll
Range: G3-G5 (Bright, Disney-esque Soprano or Mezzo)
Dance Requirement: Some movement
Amy is the youngest of the March sisters. As a 12 year old, she longs to be grown up and elegant. She normally feels forgotten or left behind as the youngest. Very feminine Amy often butts heads with tomboy-ish Jo as they’re both headstrong and impulsive--two sides of the same coin. As a 20 year old, Amy has been chosen by Aunt March to accompany her to Europe to become cultured and (ostensibly) to be educated in painting (though it’s really more that Aunt March wants Amy to find a suitable husband). Amy returns still headstrong and impulsive, but also now the refined lady she dreamed of being as a child. She eventually falls in love with Laurie as their personalities compliment each other where Laurie’s and Jo’s clashed. As the Troll, she is an obstacle for Clarissa to overcome, representative of conquering materialism.
Suggested Songs: Love is an Open Door, Frozen; That’s How You Know, Enchanted; A Lovely Night, Cinderella; I Could be Happy With You, The Boy Friend; Follow Your Heart, Urinetown; Beyond My Wildest Dreams, The Little Mermaid; Much More, The Fantasticks (possibly overdone)
Marmee March
Playing age: ~42-50 (Flexible as Marmee’s age is never given)
Supporting Character. Doubles as Hag
Range:D3-E5 (a warm Mezzo or Alto)
Dance Requirement: A little movement (one number).
Marmee is the mother of the March girls. With her husband away at war (and not featured in the show at all), it falls on her alone to raise the girls to be strong, brave, and compassionate young women. Marmee is wise and loving, but not overly indulgent or lenient with the girls. She hides much of her grief and struggles (and temper) from her daughters so that they feel they can always lean on her. (Fun fact, Meg and Amy are both named after Marmee, whose given name is Margaret and maiden name was Curtis). As the Hag, she is an obstacle for Clarissa to overcome, representative of conquering vanity
Suggested Songs: Back to Before, Ragtime; What Kind of Woman, Ragtime; Sensitivity, Once Upon A Mattress; When There’s No One, Carrie: the Musical, Close the Door, Anastasia
Aunt March
Playing Age: ~65-73 (Flexible)
Supporting Character. Doubles as Mrs. Kirk
Range: D3-E5 (Character Mezzo or Alto)
Dance Requirement: Optional (Possible in “Could You”)
Aunt March is the girls’ formidable, crabby, and very wealthy Great Aunt for whom Jo was named. While she is stern and rigid, she genuinely does love her great nieces and wants to see them succeed in life (granted: “succeed” by her definition). Jo works as a companion for Aunt March, reading to her and fixing things around the house. Amy later takes over this job as she gets older. Mrs. Kirk is Jo’s landlady and employer in New York. Jo is governess to Mrs. Kirk’s daughters. She can be a bit of a busybody, but is overall very kind to and supportive of Jo.
Suggested Songs: Perfectly Nice, Jane Eyre: the musical; A Slip of A Girl, Jane Eyre; Liaisons, A Little Night Music; So What, Cabaret; Brimstone and Treacle, Mary Poppins; Haven’t Got a Prayer, Sister Act
Professor Friedrich “Fritz” Bhaer
Playing age: 34-35 (but looks older.)
Supporting Character
Range: G2-F#4 (A high Baritone/Baritone with a strong upper extension--should sound older than Laurie and Mr. Brooke)
Dance Requirement: None
Prof. Bhaer is another tenant of Mrs. Kirk’s boarding house in New York. Originally from Germany, he emigrated to America upon his sister’s death to raise her two sons. He and Jo strike up an odd friendship and he becomes her beta-reader. He is nonconfrontational by nature, but will give his honest and blunt opinion when asked (much to Jo’s chagrin at times). He finds himself fascinated by the adventurous young author and eventually they fall in love--a union of equals rather than simply being in love with the idea of Jo as Laurie was.
Suggested Songs: Some Girls, Once on this Island; I’ve Grown Accustomed to Her Face, My Fair Lady; Love Sneaks In, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels; Emma, Emma the Musical; Charity, Daddy Long Legs
Mr. John Brooke
Playing age: 20-28 (Flexible, no age is given in the story).
Supporting Character. Doubles as Braxton
Range: C#3-Gb4 (A darker tenor than Laurie, but sitll lighter than Prof. Bhaer).
Dance Requirement: None
Though he starts off as Laurie’s rather stiff tutor, Mr. Brooke is a romantic at heart and a big dork. He and Meg are immediately smitten with one another. He later shows off his latent courage by joining up with the Union Army and endears himself to the other sisters (Jo was not particularly keen on his and Meg’s relationship) by escorting Marmee to Washington DC when her husband falls ill. As Braxton, he is the classic over the top melodrama villain in Jo’s story who Clarissa vanquishes with the help of her sister.
Suggested Songs: Everything To Win, Anastasia; There She Was, The Scarlet Pimpernel; Her Voice, The Little Mermaid
Grandfather Laurence
Playing age: ~65-73 (Flexible)
Supporting Character. Doubles as The Knight
Range: C#3-D4 (Gruff Character Baritone or Tenor with a strong lower extension)
Dance Requirement: Optional (possible in “Off to Massachusetts”)
Laurie’s distant and rather foreboding grandfather. Mr. Laurence took Laurie in after the boy was orphaned and is very strict with him. He originally sees his grandson’s involvement with the March girls as an unnecessary and detrimental distraction from Laurie’s studies, but is won over by Beth with whom he bonds as she reminds him of his dead granddaughter in both demeanor and love of music. He eventually becomes a surrogate grandfather to all the March sisters. As the Knight, he is the final obstacle for Clarissa to overcome, representative of accepting self-sacrifice and putting the needs of others first.
Suggested Songs: A Sentimental Man, Wicked; No Matter What, Beauty and the Beast; Something Was Missing, Annie
IMPORTANT: IF YOU ARE USING MY SHOW BREAKDOWN FOR YOUR OWN CASTING BREAKDOWN, PLEASE ASK FIRST. It kinda sucks to see your own work posted on playbill by surprise (I am an actor, so I’m always looking at the industrial, so I WILL see it).
Below the Cut for Length
Anya/Grand Duchess Anastasia Nikolaevna Romanov
Playing age: 26
Lead role. Star Vehicle.
Range: G3-F5, Belt to D5. Disney-esque Soprano or Mezzo
Dance Requirement: Some movement
Anya is brave, fiery, witty, and above all determined. With no memory of her life before age 17 and having lived through the horrors of the Russian Revolution, Anya jumps at the sound of gunshots and is mistrustful of strangers, but there is steel hiding just beneath the surface. Anya is strong-willed and compassionate. Her mantra, “Home, love, family” is her goal. All she knows is her family is in Paris and she will find them however she can.
Suggested Songs:
Uptempo: Beyond My Wildest Dreams, The Little Mermaid; Times are Hard for Dreamers, Amelie;
Midtempo: When the Music Played, Dr. Zhivago; The Life I Never Led, Sister Act
Ballad: A Change in Me, Beauty and the Beast; God Help the Outcasts, The Hunchback of Notre Dame
Dmitry Sudayev
Playing age: 28
Lead role
Range: A2-G4. “Baritenor”
Dance Requirement: Some Movement
Dmitry is a scoundrel with a heart of gold. A street rat who grew into a conman, Dima does all he does to get out of poverty and is not above lying, cheating, and stealing to do so--that is until he meets Anya. What starts as just another scheme (albeit much bigger than anything he’s tried to pull off before) turns into the adventure of a life time that requires Dimitry to look inward and figure out how to put the one he loves before himself.
Suggested Songs:
Uptempo:Top of the World, Tuck Everlasting (duet, but can be arranged); My Manhattan, Daddy Long Legs;
Midtempo: I Stand Alone, Quest for Camelot; When the Booth Goes Bright; Amelie
Ballad: The Man I’ll Never Be, Daddy Long Legs; Proud of Your Boy, Aladdin
Vladimir “Vlad” Popov
Playing age: Mid 40s-Early 50s (No age really specified)
Supporting Lead role
Range: A2-F4. Comic Baritone
Dance Requirement: Strong mover
Vlad is Dmitry’s partner in crime (literally) and surrogate father. Before the revolution he scammed his way through society pretending to be a count. Vlad is dramatic, crafty, and a big softie at heart. While he, like Dmitry, is not above lying, cheating, and stealing, he cares greatly for his loved ones and is generally affable, though he can be calculating when he needs to be.
Suggested Songs: Komorovsky's Toast, Dr. Zhivago; When I’m Not Near the Girl I Love, Finian’s Rainbow; The Bottom Line, Newsies; She Loves Me, She Loves Me (?), Wonderful, Wicked; All I Care About, Chicago
Deputy Comissioner Gleb Vaganov
Playing age: Mid 30s
Supporting Lead role
Range: A2-Gb4. Baritone with a strong upper extension.
Dance Requirement: None.
Gleb is the villain of the show, though not a bad person. He fully believes in the Communist ideals he follows. Loyal, honest, and hard working, Gleb almost has the potential to be a hero (he’s very much the hero of his own story). A deeply conflicted person, Gleb’s infatuation (and borderline obsession) with Anya leads to his battle with the idea of doing one’s duty vs. doing what is right.
Suggested Songs: If I Can’t Love Her, Beauty and the Beast; ; Where’s the Girl, The Scarlet Pimpernel; The Longer I Live, Dracula; What is it About Her, The Wild Party
Countess Lily Malevsky-Malevitch
Playing age: ~40 (She’s based on Lili Dehn- a real life Russian countess who was a familiy friend of the Romanovs- so I based her age around how old Dehn would’ve been in 1927/28)
Supporting role
Range: G3-C5 (Breifly sings a B5 at the end of Land of Yesterday, but the rest of the role is very Mezzo) Jazzy Mezzo with an upper extension.
Dance Requirement: Dancer (Ideally a strong dancer)
Lily is the lady in waiting to the Dowager Empress. She has been by the Dowager’s side since before the revolution. Lily is clever, dutiful, and above all fun (when not working for the Dowager). She deals with her exile from Russia with a sort of resigned dark humor...and a LOT of vodka. She and Vlad were once an item (unbeknownst to her oblivious husband) and re-kindle their romance upon re-uniting.
Suggested Songs: You Gotta Get a Gimmick, Gypsy; Here I Am, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels; As We Stumble Along, The Drowsy Chaperone; Raise the Roof, The Wild Party (Lippa); Cabaret, Cabaret; All Falls Down, Chaplin
Dowager Empress Maria Feodorovna Romanov
Playing age: 80
Supporting role
Range: F3-Bb4. A regal Mezzo
Dance Requirement: None
The Dowager Empress has lost everything she once held dear and must now put up with imposter upon imposter never allowing her to grieve in peace. She is icy, proud, and regal (not to mention intimidating) to all but her family. Though, she does have a very shrap wit. She is especially warm with Anastasia both when a child and after it’s revealed that Anya really is the princess. She commands authority and attention the minute she enters a room.
Suggested Songs: Days of Plenty, Little Women; When There’s No One, Carrie; Here Alone, Little Women
Young Anastasia/Alexei (Doubles in Ensemble as well)
Playing age: ~5 for Young Anastasia, (cast with an older child, normally between 9 and 14), 13 for Alexei
Featured role
Range: C4-C5, a sweet child soprano
Dance Requirement: Very little.
Young Anastasia is the willful, brave, proud, and precocious youngest daughter of the Tsar. She has a special bond with her grandmother (whom she calls Nana). Alexei was the Tsarevich (Heir to the throne) and only boy of the Romanov siblings. He suffered from debilitating hemophelia that often left him bed-ridden. Anya mentions that he was her best friend.
Suggested Songs: Forgiveness, Jane Eyre; Whistle Down the Wind, Whistle Down the Wind
Ensemble
The Ensemble has a TON to do in this show and plays a vast array of featured characters (Tracks listed below). I will not be suggesting songs for most of these as any of the above would be appropriate.
All of the Ensemble plays Townsfolk, Royal Servants, Bolshevik Officers and Soldiers, Parisians, Reporters, and Aristocrats
Featured Character Tracks:
Olga, Tatiana, Mariya (the other Romanov Sisters)/ Paulina, Dunya, Marfa (three prostitutes who audition for the Fake-Anastasia scheme)/Odette and Swans (Dancers in the ballet)
These tracks require dancing en pointe
Olga track also dances Odette and requires strong ballet ability
Teen Anya
A featured dance role in the opening sequence
May also be one of the prostitutes and ballet dancers (I’m not 100% sure with this track)
Understudies Anya/Anastasia
Comissioner Gorlinsky/Count Leopold/Drunkard 4
Understudies Vlad
Tsarina Alexandra Feodorovna/Female Reporter/Countess Gregory
Understudies Lily, but sings high soprano in Ensemble numbers
Tsar Nicholas II Romanov/Count Ipolitov/Drunkard 3
Understudies Gleb
Siegfriend (in Swan Lake sequence)/ Drunkard 1/Sergei the Doorman (?)
Understudies Dmitry
Von Rothbart (in Swan Lake sequence)/Drunkard 2/Sergei the Doorman (?)
The writers (and actors) did an amazing job with telling the story between Steve and Regina. Although I'm not a fan of slow burn, this was a good one. They would give us a few spots here and now that didn't last past a few episodes but it gave enough that we were still rooting to have them together.
I love this musical so much. It's got so much heart and such a good score. I'm expressly trying to avoid mentioning Hamilton here just because it's the most obvious choice for material. Just a note, though I'm sure most of you know: all the characters in this show are Latine/Hispanic except for Benny who is Black (and maybe Graffiti Pete, but he's basically Featured Enesmble and the Ensemble can be any ethnicity)
Below the cut for Length
Usnavi de la Vega
Playing age: 22-26
Leading Role.
Range: A2-A4, Baritenor. Needs strong facility with Rap.
Dance Requirement: Some movement
Usnavi is the narrator and cipher for the audience. He runs the bodega left to him by his parents and knows the neighborhood well. He longs to return to the Dominican Republic and feels stuck like "a street light" in the neighborhood.
Suggested Songs: Moving Too Fast, The Last Five Years; You’re Welcome, Moana; Enjoy the Trip, Bring it On; Delivery, Working
Nina Rosario
Playing age: 19
Leading role.
Range: F3-F5. Mezzo/Soprano Belter
Dance Requirement: Some movement
Nina is gifted kid burnout personified. She was the valedictorian of her highschool and beloved daughter of the barrio. However, once starting university at Stanford she finds herself overwhelmed and unable to balance working 2 jobs (as her scholarship was only partial) and studying. When she returns to New York, she has taken a leave of absence from school and needs to rediscover her ambition.
Suggested Songs: How to Return Home, Tales from the Bad Years; Waiting on a Miracle, Encanto; Say The Word, The Mad Ones; How Far I'll Go, Moana; One Perfect Moment, Bring it On; A Way Back To Then, [title of show]
Abuela Claudia
Playing age: 65
Supporting Lead
Range: Eb3-E5. Mezzo/Alto Belter
Dance Requirement: Some movement optional
Though not anyone's biological grandmother, Abuela Claudia is the matriarch of the barrio. She is the loving and nurturing backbone of the community, but behind all of that is dealing with her own generational trauma.
Suggested Songs: Remember Me, Coco; The Human Heart, Once On This Island; Mama Will Provide, Once On This Island; Snuff Out the Light, (cut from) The Emperor's New Groove
Benny
Playing age: 22-26
Supporting
Range: B2-A4. Baritenor. Needs strong facility with Rap
Dance Requirement: Good mover
A dispatch operator for the Rosario's car service, Benny is Usnavi's best friend and Nina's love interest. He likes to tease about Usnavi's inability to ask Vanessa out, but finds himself unable to ask Nina out as well. He's ambitious and kind-hearted.
Suggested Songs: You’re Welcome, Moana; One Knight, Wonderland; When She Smiles, Lysistrata Jones; I'll Be Here, The Wild Party
Vanessa
Playing age: 19-26
Supporting
Range: F#3-F5. Mezzo/Soprano Belter
Dance Requirement: Dancer
Vanessa works at Daniela's salon, but has dreams of getting out of the barrio. She is Usnavi's love interest and eventually gives him a chance. Vanessa's vibrance hides issues at home (that strongly influence her desire to get out of the neighborhood in the first place)
Suggested Songs: There She Goes/Fame, Fame; Don’t Want to Be Here, Ordinary Days; What Else Can I Do, Encanto; Waiting for Life, Once On This Island
Kevin Rosario
Playing age: 40-50
Supporting
Range: A2-F4, Baritone
Dance Requirement: None/Little
Kevin is Nina's dad. He owns the car service that employs Benny. While he likes Benny fine, he is not initally happy with the idea of Benny and Nina in a romantic relationship (yay for anti-blackness. Seriously, it is a problem--along with colorism--that we Hispanics/Latine need to address as community). He eventually comes around. Also dealing with some serious intergenerational trauma and the pressure of having to do better than one's parents.
Suggested Songs: Endless Night, Lion King; No Other Way,Tarzan, Yurii's Descision, Doctor Zhivago
Camila Rosario
Playing age: 40-50
Supporting
Range: G3-E5. Mezzo
Dance Requirement: Some movement
Nina's mom, Kevin's wife, and co-owner of the car service. Camila is the glue that keeps her family together. She is warm and loving and exceedingly proud of her daughter
Suggested Songs: I’m Done, Rocky; Anybody Have a Map, Dear Evan Hansen; Island, Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown
Daniela
Playing age: 30-50
Supporting
Range: F3-E5. Mezzo/Alto Belter
Dance Requirement: Mover
Daniela owns the local hair salon. She's fun and a total gossip. She's a great boss who supports her employees and community. Her salon serves as one of the local hubs and is the place to get information on the goings on in the barrio.
Suggested Songs: We’re Not Done, Bring it On; Land of Yesterday, Anastasia; Buenos Aires, Evita
Carla
Playing age: 20-30
Supporting
Range: F3-E5. Mezzo/Alto Belter. Needs facility with patter songs
Dance Requirement: Mover
Carla is Daniela's sidekick and employee. She is a hairdresser and while sweet, not the brightest.
Suggested Songs: Another Hundred People, Company; Nothing Short of Wonderful, Dogfight; The History of Wrong Guys, Kinky Boots
Sonny de la Vega
Playing age: 15
Supporting
Range: D3-B4. A youthful tenor (or maybe a mezzo?Idk what LMM would feel about having a female (or transman) Sonny, but I think it could work) Needs facility with rap.
Dance Requirement: Mover
Sonny is Usnavi's kid cousin who helps out at the bodega. He's got a fire to change the injustices he sees in the world, but little power to do it yet.
Suggested Songs: One Jump Ahead, Aladdin; Proud of Your Boy, Aladdin; Make a Move, Shrek; (MAYBE) Lost in the Wilderness, Children of Eden
Piragüero (Piragua Guy)
Playing age: Any
Supporting
Range: D3-A4. A clear, soaring tenor (could also be played as Piragüera by a mezzo)
Dance Requirement: Mover
Piragüero sells piragua (snow-cones) from a stand that he pushes around the neighborhood. He has a bitter rivalry with Mr. Softee (the ice cream truck), but is otherwise jovial and pleasant.
Suggested Songs: Dos Oruguitas, Encanto; Papi Hears the Ocean, The Band’s Visit; On This Night of a Thousand Stars, Evita; Colombia Mi Encanto, Encanto
The Ensemble has a good amount to do in this show. A lot of dancing and a lot of tight harmonies. Needs strong performers to fill out and bring Washinton Heights to life.
