CLIFTON FEDDINGTON - 55 year-old Mutual Announcer, front man for WOV’s Nash-Kelvinator Mystery Theatre. Wears wire-frame glasses like Glenn Miller. Known for being cheap. Has a crush on Judith.
WILLIAM ST. CLAIRE - 70 year-old, retired star of stage and screen. With a great mane of dramatic white hair, William is a bit of a curmudgeon and looks down on radio as one of the bastard children of the stage. William’s 31 year-old son David was killed in the Air Force in France in June 1943. A guest performer in tonight’s show, Mr. St. Claire plays Scrooge.
CHARLES “CHOLLY” BUTTS - 35 year-old funny man. Has a day job as a baker at Weequahic Diner (where his specialty is the nesselrode pie). A little stout. Lives in Jersey City, with his wife, Midge, has no kids, and has a hopeless and unrequited crush on Margie.
MARGIE O’BRIEN - Brassy, flippant, with a voice to match (think Ginger Rogers in “Stage Door”). As a show regular, plays the comic roles. This 30 year-old Irish-American comedienne lives with her two sisters, Zazu and Vi, in a two-room apartment in Queens. She works days as a bookkeeper/typist/stenographer/receptionist.
JUDITH DAVENPORT - Although quite the cutup herself, Judith is the resident “leading lady” playing all such roles as a regular. Has two kids and two ex’s and wants no more of either. Determined and stubborn. Considers herself a “legit” actress. Day job working as a switchboard operator. In her 30s.
FRITZ CANIGLIARO - Once an east-coast Florsheim Shoe salesman (and still plugs them whenever he gets an opportunity for a little commission), now a WOV regular. The resident masher, cynic and wise-guy, Fritz plays Frank Nelson cameos in comedy sketches. In his early 40s.
“LITTLE” JACKIE SPARKS - Not actually “little,” but young. A tenor with a high speaking voice. Having just graduated from high school, Jackie, only 17, lives with his mom in suburban Newark. Calls home probably a dozen times a day. Teased a lot. Still has a Sunday paper route.
SALLY SIMPSON - 20 year-old Sally seems sweet and gentle, but is a tough lady. Lives on the lower east side of Manhattan. As a show regular, plays all animals, babies, insects, little kids. Makes the long train ride to Babylon, Long Island, three days a week, to contribute to the war effort by working for Republic Aviation operating drill presses and riveting guns. Always trying to recruit the other WOV women to join “the cause.”
ISADORE “BUZZ” CRENSHAW - His life is his work. The 24 year-old “sound effectician” at WOV. Has a sharp wit and is always agreeable, whistling, and in a good mood. Born and raised in Bayonne by his Aunts Lulu and Gilly. Wears an FDR button. Spends a lot of time with Sally Simpson. Buzz lives alone.
TOOTS NAVARRE - Musical director, composer and pianist/organist for the Mystery Theatre. (Could be a man or woman.) Besides his/her usual musical chores for WOV, he/she and his/her wife/husband Faith/Frank provide both underscoring to the radio drama as well as their new and old holiday songs for the broadcast.
ESTHER LEWIS PIRNIE - Backstage audio engineer and transmitter supervisor for WOV Radio.
HAROLD J. MULLINS - Concierge of the Hotel Aberdeen in Newark.
Note: The show contains four-part harmony that requires four strong voices:
Soprano, Mezzo Soprano/Alto, Tenor, and Baritone, who may be doubled or
tripled by others, as desired. Each singer has individual moments to
"shine," as well! The two solo songs are sung by JUDITH (Soprano) and
MARGIE (Mezzo/Alto).
The musical director/pianist is an on-stage
character (man or woman, TOOTS). While all the accompaniment is written
out, the pianist is encouraged to improvise in the style of the period.
Pre-recorded accompaniment tracks are also available.
ESTHER and
HAROLD are optional characters, whose lines can be distributed as noted
in the script. The characters of MARGIE and JUDITH could be collapsed
into JUDITH, as could FRITZ be absorbed by CLIFTON. Below are the vocal ranges for casting:
Soprano: Ab3-F5
Mezzo Soprano: G3-D5
Tenor: C4-G5
Baritone/Bass: F2-E4