Adult Roles:

(Children’s roles listed below):

ROSE – Vocal range F3 to C5

The quintessential stage mother. Lives her life vicariously through her two daughters, whom she’s put into show business. She is loud, brash, pushy and single-minded, but at times can be doting and charming. She is holding down demons of her own that she is afraid to face.  Superb acting skills required along with a powerhouse Broadway belt. Minimal dance, but must move well. Comic timing a must.

LOUISE/GYPSY ROSE LEE – Vocal range G3 to E5

The older version of Baby Louise.  Must be able to transform from the mousy and awkward Louise, into the sophisticated and seductive Burlesque stripper Gypsy Rose Lee. Basic dance skills required but should be able to move well, strong acting skills needed. Must be comfortable with the character’s profession: strip tease. The character is very scantily clad but never actually appears in the nude.

JUNE – Vocal range G3 to F5

The older version of Baby June. The older she gets the more frustrated with her mother’s domination she becomes. A Shirley Temple type child star. Must be able to belt a song and have strong dancing skills. The ability to do splits, high kicks, tap/jazz dance, baton twirling is a big plus, but not required.

HERBIE – Vocal range C3 to D4

Manager for Rose’s act and Rose’s loyal boyfriend. He has a heart of gold but also has the power to defend the people he loves with strength. Minimum dance but must move well. A baritone, strong acting role.

TULSA – Vocal range C3 to G5

Boy-next-door type. Strives to break out of the troupe with an act of his own. Sings and dances “All I Need Is the Girl.” Extremely strong dancer in all styles of show dance including tap.  Good singer, charming young man.

TESSIE TURA – Vocal range B3 to D5

Experienced and wise burlesque performer, just past her prime.  She was once a ballerina and still has some of the moves. A course “broad” who’s been around the block. Very funny. Strong movement/dance required, specialty: Ballet Stripper.

MAZEPPA – Vocal range G3 to D5

Bold and brassy trumpet playing burlesque stripper, past her prime. Tough and physically intimidating. Strong movement/dance required. Trumpet playing skills would be a plus, but not required.

ELECTRA – Vocal range B3 to D5

Ditsy and sweet burlesque stripper, past her prime. Quieter than her counterparts but her costume is wired with lights, allowing her to “shine” without working up a sweat. Basic dance skills required.

YONKERS—Vocal range G to G

Member of June’s “Farmboys.”  Strong singer and dancer.

L.A. —Vocal range G to G

Member of June’s “Farmboys.”  Strong singer and dancer.

ANGIE—Vocal range G to G

Member of June’s “Farmboys.”  Strong singer and dancer.

AGNES—Vocal range G to G

Singing and dancing member of the “Hollywood Blondes”. 

MARJORIE MAY—Vocal range G to G

Singing and dancing member of the “Hollywood Blondes”. 

DOLORES—Vocal range G to G

Singing and dancing member of the “Hollywood Blondes”. 

UNCLE JOCKO—(non-singing)

Grouchy master of ceremonies at a weekly kids’ talent show.

GEORGIE—(non-singing)

Jocko’s Assistant

POP—(non-singing)

Rose’s father.  He does not believe that Rose or the girls will ever amount to anything.

WEBER—(non-singing)

Theater manager in Los Angeles.

MR. GOLDSTONE—(non-singing, non-speaking)

Representative of the Orpheum Circuit.  Needs to move well.

MISS CRATCHITT—(non-singing)

Secretary at Grantziger’s Palace.  Has no patience for “small-time” acts or pushy mothers.

CIGAR—(non-singing)

Brusk, street-wise Burlesque theater manager in Wichita. 

PASTEY—(non-singing)

Burlesque stage manager in Wichita.

PHIL—(non-singing)

Louise’s big time press agent. 

BOURGERON-COCHON—(non-singing)

Famous French photographer.

ANNOUNCER—(non-singing)

Offstage voice announcing Louise’s act in various theaters across the country.

Members of the ensemble will play a variety of roles listed above.  Others include WAITRESS, RICH MAN, FRONT/REAR OF COW, etc.  Ensemble members will also be a critical part of keeping the show flowing by helping with transitions.

Children’s Roles:

DAINTY JUNE – Vocal range C4 to E5

A Shirley Temple-like, up-and-coming vaudeville star. Her on-stage demeanor is sugary sweet, cute and precocious. Strong singer and must have good dancing skills. The ability to do splits, high kicks, tap/jazz dance, baton twirling is a big plus, but not required.

YOUNG LOUISE – Vocal range C4 to E5

Rose’s shy older daughter, and has always played second fiddle to her baby sister. She is awkward, a little sad and subdued; she doesn’t have the confidence of her sister. Strong acting skills needed. The character always dances slightly out of step, but the actor playing this part must be able to dance.

RICH BOY—Vocal range E to E

Driver’s son, “kidnapped” by Rose.  A singing and dancing member of the Newsboys.

TAP DANCER—Vocal range E to E

Roadside kid, “kidnapped” by Rose.  A singing and dancing member of the Newsboys.

BOY SCOUT—Vocal range E to E

Another roadside kid with a strong high note, “kidnapped” by Rose.  A singing and dancing member of the Newsboys.

BALLOON GIRL—(non-singing/speaking)

Auditioning child.

CLARENCE—(non-singing/speaking)

Auditioning child who plays the clarinet.  Clarinet playing skills are a big plus, but not required.

Members of the children’s ensemble may play more than one role listed above. Ensemble members will also be a critical part of keeping the show flowing by helping with transitions.