Stage Manager – Adult, age and gender open. Must be a good storyteller, able to command the stage and engage the audience. Loves people, easy going and grounded with a clear wisdom. This character is the all-knowing narrator, who may be speaking for the author. The Stage Manager literally sets the stage, describes the action and introduces the actors. Steps in and out of the action as other characters: a minister, a drug store owner, a neighbor lady passing by.
Joe Crowell – Young actor, either gender, age about 14. Delivers the newspapers and sets up important sense of friendliness among the neighbors of the small town. Actor will also play one or two ensemble roles.
Howie Newsome - Young actor, either gender, age about 14. Delivers the milk, leading the horse and wagon. Sets up important sense of friendliness among the neighbors of the small town. Actor will also play one or two ensemble roles.
Dr. Frank Gibbs – Male, 30-55. He is a doctor and family man. Romantic and in love with his wife.
Mrs. Julia Gibbs – Female, 30-55. Mother of George & Rebecca. Strong love for her family. A romantic who dreams of visiting Paris. Strong connection with her son.
George Gibbs – Male, 16 in 1901, ages to 20 and then 32. It is a 16 of 1901 which is a sincere and naïve age. He is an idealist and a romantic. The love story with him and Emily is the spine of the action of the play. He strongly and sincerely desires to be the best person he can be for the love of his life.
Rebecca Gibbs – Female, 11-13. Has a strong sense of energy and wonder about the world. Amazed at the stars and the earth’s place in the galaxy. Has a strong & important short speech about this at the end of Act 1.
Mr. Charles Webb - Male, 30-55. He is highly educated and is the editor and owner of the only local newspaper. Has a strong connection with his daughter.
Mrs. Myrtle Webb – Female, 30-55. Mother of Emily and Wally.
Wally Webb – Male, 11-13. Younger brother of Emily.
Emily Webb – Female, goes from 16 to 20. In 1901 the age 16 was more sincere and innocent than today. The love story between her and George is the spine of the action of the play. She has the strongest love of life and enthusiasm. Emily appears in Act 3 after her death, and she desires to relive everything that was so wonderful, but finally comes to a bittersweet wisdom about the fleeting and ephemeral state of living.
Simon Stimson - Adult (usually Male but open to Female casting; age unspecified). Leader of the church choir, but has deep problems and a clear drinking problem. Attitude is acerbic, he/she is possibly depressed. Stimson’s drinking is the town’s scandalous gossip.
Mrs. Soames - Adult Female, age unspecified. Sings in the choir and loves to spread gossip.
Actor will also play one or two ensemble roles.
Constable Warren - Male, age unspecified. Actor will also play one or two ensemble roles.
The following roles could be doubled:
Woman in Balcony – Adult Female
Man in Auditorium – Adult Male
Lady in the Box – Adult Female
Si Crowell – Young actor, either gender, age about 14.
Professor Willard – Male, 60s
Three Baseball Players (Larry, Moe, Curly) – Male, 20s
Sam Craig – Adult Male, age flexible
Joe Stoddard - Older Adult Male