The creator, director and choreographer of The Dear Edwina Show and is the main-staple of the play. Her character goes through a tremendous arc throughout the series of events in the play; from frustration to relief, anger to joy, horror to happiness, and all within one afternoon in her own garage!
Edwina’s enthusiastic friend and the top of the cheerleading pyramid for the Paw Paw Wildcats. Cheerleading consumes her life and creating new cheers for everyday occasions brings her great joy. This girl even cheers her anger! Becky is a vocally non-demanding role with only a few vocal lines.
A neighbor boy who is helplessly in love with Edwina. He dotes on her every move and is always conniving a way to gain her attention. A good singer is a must for this role. Scott’s song requires vocal dexterity and is demanding in style. An actor with strong comedic timing will be an asset to your production during Scott’s ‘transformation.’
Edwina’s neighbor and Paw Paw, Michigan’s resident ballerina. The character of Kelli leads the “Poshkonozovich Dance,” and needs to be a strong performer.
Edwina’s new next-door neighbor. He is a friendly and compassionate character who goes out of his way to help others. The character of Bobby is a last minute replacement for Lars.
Gender: Male
Lars Vanderploonk
One of the Vanderploonk triplets and a neighborhood friend of Edwina. He is incredibly accident-prone and twists his ankle in the first scene. Lars has many prat falls before he actually twists his ankle, so someone with good physical comedy skills is a must!
Gender: Male
Billy Vanderploonk
One of the Vanderploonk triplets and a neighborhood friend of Edwina. He works double duty on The Dear Edwina Show by performing onstage and serving as Box Office Manager.
Gender: Male
Cordell Vanderploonk
One of the Vanderploonk triplets and a neighborhood friend of Edwina. He works double duty in The Dear Edwina Show by performing onstage and serving as House Manager.
Edwina’s friend and the Girl Scout of Paw Paw. Annie works for and collects her Girl Scout badges like they were buried treasure. No matter what problem may arise, she is prepared with the know-how and resources to solve it in a flash – A MacGyver for the new generation! She is perky, energetic and helpful& maybe even too helpful.
Gender: Female
Aphrodite, Carrie, Abigail, Periwinkle, Ziggy, the Marching Band
Each of the ‘letter readers’ in The Dear Edwina Show. They each have vocal solos (aside from the Marching Band, who only sing backup vocals) whereby they explain their dilemmas in hopes of receiving Edwina’s advice.
Edwina’s scary uncle from afar. The actor should be a strong enough singer to feel comfortable with their own song and a strong enough actor to engage the audience with their story (and keep them engaged through the duration of the song). Impeccable diction is a must for this character as Vladimir’s lines are written with a Transylvanian “Dracula” accent in mind. T
A rude, self-centered, bratty, offensive, disrespectful, socially inept child and the subject of Vladimir’s song, Frankenguest. This non-singing role requires the actor to speak their lines during musical breaks in the song.
Gender: Male
Chef Ludmilla
Part of a team to instruct the rest of the company on how to set a table in “Fork, Knife, Spoon.” Each actor should have strong music and vocal skills.
Gender: Any
William & Sonoma
Two kids who are part of a team to instruct the rest of the company on how to set a table in “Fork, Knife, Spoon.” Each actor should have strong music and vocal skills. Actors may be selected from the company or, depending or your cast size, carry just their one role.
Gender: Any
Fairy Forkmother
The answer to a table setter’s prayer, this role sings the pseudo-operatic lead in “Fork, Knife, Spoon.” This actor should have strong music and vocal skills.
Gender: Female
Susie & The Napkins
Susie and The Napkins are a local band who have just come from a Battle of the Bands concert at the Paw Paw Community Center to sing “Say No Thank You.” Susie and The Napkins should be able to move well, if you choose to choreograph the number. Johnny and The Queen act out the story in the lyrics. They are not required to sing, but to merely speak in rhythm during the song. Be sure you cast someone who can ‘feel the beat.’ Your actors may be selected from the company or, depending on your cast size, carry their one role.
Gender: Any
Johnny and Queen Of Boola Boola
Johnny and The Queen act out the story in the lyrics. They are not required to sing, but to merely speak in rhythm during the song. Be sure you cast someone who can ‘feel the beat.’ Your actors may be selected from the company or, depending on your cast size, carry their one role.
Gender: Male and Female, respectively
Lola
New to America, Lola expresses her shyness in the song, “Hola, Lola.” It would be helpful if this actor speaks Spanish or has a good ear for languages.
Lola’s cousin and the reason she flies from Lima, Peru, to Honolulu. He is a fun, happy-go-lucky character show just wants to make sure his favorite cousin is having a good time.
Gender: Male
Mary Sue Betty Bob
Countrified girl who struggles with spending her money and sings on “Put it in the Piggy.”
Gender: Female
Farmer Jerry, Girls and Pigs
Mary Sue Betty Bob’s backup for “Put it in the Piggy.” The girl company members play the “Girls” and the “Pigs” are played by the boy company members.
Gender: Various
Katie Spoonapple
Edwina’s little sister and a math wiz. Although she arrives at the end of the play, she has the very important role of influencing Edwina’s thoughts and feelings. It is Katie that brings about the climax of the play, showing Edwina the “best advice of all.”
Gender: Female
Ann Van Buren
The Kalamazoo Advice-A-Palooza talent scout. She is represented only by a brief voice-over that may be recorded beforehand. When it comes to casting this voice, think very L.A., “sweetie darling.”
Gender: Female
Myra/Myron Spoonapple
Edwina’s little sister/brother and musical director of The Dear Edwina Show (played by the Musical Director).
Gender: Any
Joe/Jo Spoonapple
Edwina’s older brother/sister. Percussionist of The Dear Edwina Show.
