Cast of Characters
Jimmy
Jimmy is our male counterpart to Millie. Self-assured and cocky, cast a Jimmy who is charming, a great singer, a reasonable mover and who has a good sense of comic timing. Jimmy should be attractive in a cute, goofy sort of way.
Mrs. Meers
Mrs. Meers is the villain of our story. Think Cruella DeVille meets Miss Hannigan. Cast an over-the-top "scenery chewer" who has an excellent sense of comedic timing.
Miss Dorothy
Miss Dorothy is the perfect role for a young lady with a voice that is more classical than Broadway. She should be attractive, a good actress and should contrast physically with Millie.
Miss Flannery
Miss Flannery is the office manager. She's uptight (think librarian) and stern, a real no-nonsense kind of gal. Cast an up-and-comer who's not quite ready for a huge lead, but is definitely ready to break out of the chorus. Having tap skills and a good sense of comedy are definite pluses for this gem of a role.
Ching Ho
Ching Ho and Bun Foo are brothers and emigrants from China. These two are working to bring their dear mother to the United States from China. While it's nice to cast performers of Asian descent in these roles, it is not always possible. These characters must learn some Chinese, so cast kids who live for great challenges and have a keen sense of adventure. Ching Ho must be played by a boy and is the more demanding role; Bun Foo can be played by a girl. These characters sing, dance, and act, all in Chinese.
Bun Foo
Ching Ho and Bun Foo are brothers and emigrants from China. These two are working to bring their dear mother to the United States from China. While it's nice to cast performers of Asian descent in these roles, it is not always possible. These characters must learn some Chinese, so cast kids who live for great challenges and have a keen sense of adventure. Ching Ho must be played by a boy and is the more demanding role; Bun Foo can be played by a girl. These characters sing, dance, and act, all in Chinese.
Trevor Graydon the Third
Trevor Graydon the Third is Millie's boss and she's determined to marry him. Cast your best-looking singer who's not afraid to be a bit of a goof ball.
Hotel Priscilla Girls
The Hotel Priscilla Girls are the fellow boarders at the Hotel Priscilla. If possible vary them widely in size, shape, color and attitude. They should be good singers and actresses. The girls with solo lines include: Ruth, Gloria, Rita, Alice, Cora, Lucille and Ethel Peas.
Mama
Mama is Ching Ho and Bun Foo's mother from China. She makes a surprise cameo appearance during the finale of the show. This is a great walk-on part for the principal, a local celebrity or parent. No singing, no dancing involved.
Ensemble
The cast can be expanded in many ways and in many places. You can augment the ladies staying at the Hotel Priscilla. Street scenes, the speakeasy, the jail scene, etc. offer innumerable opportunities for many, many students to participate.