17 Cast Members – 9 Males, 6 Females

 

CHARACTER                DESCRIPTION

HARRY                               Houdini; World famous illusionist. Muscular with short stature.  Dark, wavy hair. 
                                           Age range: 18 - 50; determined, confused.  An ability to perform magic illusions;
                                           Rough New York accent when young; more refined when older. 

MAMA                                Harry’s possessive mother; hard-faced; Jewish look; slim.  Age Range: 30-50;                                                   black/grey hair.  Her accent is a mixture of Hungarian and New York American. 

BESS                                One of the Floral Sisters; becomes Harry’s pretty and caring wife; brunette; slim;                                                petite.  Age range: 17 – 50.  Flexible and able to perform as magician’s assistant.                                              Optimistic,  tolerant and friendly.  American accent.

ARTHUR                           Arthur Conan Doyle, famous author of “Sherlock Holmes” mysteries.  Tall and slim,                                            with greying hair and moustache. Age range: 40 - 60. Posh, “plum in the mouth”.                                                English accent. 
SAM                                  Harry's first, 'small time' agent; tough.
SALVO                              Salvation Army Officer.
ANNOUNCER 2                Act 2, Scene 2.
M. CHORUS 2                  General group chorus scenes.

JEAN                                Lady Conan Doyle; psychic wife of Arthur.  Mysterious, friendly, well-dressed and
                                         slightly plump.  Age range:  40 - 60.  Posh English accent.
FLORAL SISTER 1          Sister to Bess; member of Song and Dance troupe.
SOLO SPIRIT 3                Numerous scenes.
F. CHORUS 2                   General group chorus scenes.

DASH                                Harry’s younger, taller brother.  Rough New York Accent. 
BOBBY 1                           Comical, stupid and uncoordinated.
M. CHORUS 8                   General group chorus scenes.

YOUNG HARRY                Angelic, boyish.  Rough, New York accent.
PAPER BOY                      Numerous street scenes.
BOBBY 2                           Comical, stupid and uncoordinated.

SLATER                             Distinguished London agent.
TIMEKEEPER                    Water torture cell.
ANNOUNCER 1                 Act 2, Scene 2.
REPORTER 2                    Act 2, Scene 4.
WHITEHEAD                     From McGill University - fresh; enthusiastic.  Age 18.
M. CHORUS 1                   General group chorus scenes.

O'REILLY                           Moustached (false).  Short.  Scotland Yard Senior Sergeant.
ASSISTANT 2                    Water torture cell.
SAILOR 1                           Act 1, Scene 4.
HARRY'S DOUBLE 2        Same height and build as Harry; performs stunts in Act 2, Scene 2.
M. CHORUS 8                   General group chorus scenes.

MANAGER                         Garrick Theatre boss; nervous.
BUSINESS MAN                Act 2, Scene 1.
BOBBY 3                            Comical, stupid and uncoordinated.
STUDENT 2                        Act 2, Scene 8.
M. CHORUS 3                    General group chorus scenes.

GOVERNOR                      Rotund Chief of Scotland Yard.  Bass voice.
SOLDIER                           Act 2, Scene 1.
DEAN                                 McGill University Head; white hair; wears academic gown.
M. CHORUS 4                   General group chorus scenes.

PORTER                            Black; comical; tall; bass voice.
ASSISTANT 1                    Water torture cell.
SAILOR 2                           Act 1, Scene 4.
TELEGRAM BOY              Works at Copenhagen Hotel.
REPORTER 1                    Act 2, Scene 4.
PRISONER 1                     Inmate at Scotland Yard.
M. CHORUS 5                   General group chorus scenes.

RABBI                                Numerous scenes. 
RABBI (PAPA)                    Act 2, Scene 11.
SOLO SPIRIT 2                 Numerous scenes.
PRISONER 2                     Effeminate inmate at Scotland Yard.
M. CHORUS 6                   General group chorus scenes.

DOCTOR                           Dedicated Detroit M.D.; pushy but caring.
HARRY'S DOUBLE 1        Same look and build as Harry.  Lowered into the water torture cell Act 1.
COCKNEY DRUNK           Down and out; bloodshot eyes; red nose. 
M. CHORUS 7                   General group chorus scenes.

BARMAID                          Comical, Cockney, buxom and loud 'worldly' woman.
ASSISTANT 2                    Water torture cell.
REPORTER 3                    Act 2, Scene 4; Act 2, Scene 6.
ANNOUNCER 3                 Act 2, Scene 2.
F. CHORUS 1                    General group chorus scenes.

BEGGAR GIRL                  Young girl from the streets of New York.
FLORAL SISTER 2            Sister to Bess; member of Song and Dance troupe.
F. CHORUS 3                     General group chorus scenes.

WOMAN                             Numerous scenes.
SOLO SPIRIT 1                  Numerous scenes.
REPORTER 4                     Act 2, Scene 4 and Act 2, Scene 6.
F. CHORUS 4                     General group chorus scenes.