The Suitcase: Characters

The cast should consist of 12 actors: six women, four men, & two children (one boy & one girl). Roles are meant to doubled/tripled as follows: Troy/Herr Dietrich, Mrs. Jenkins/Ms. Clara, Mr. Jenkins/The Shopkeeper, Lord Charles/Günter, Ms. Atkinson/Marjorie, Kenneth/Baldwin, & Miss. Charlotte/Lottie/Victoria.

Main Characters: in Reality

The Honourable April Bianca Emily Ellis:
Female | 20s | Mezzo soprano | Accent: RP
An ambitious young noble woman, April dreams of writing and producing a legendary play that will free her from a stifling existence of duty and a past of failure. Although April often doubts her abilities, she is approachable, dependable, daring, and more talented than she knows.

Regina Borman:
Female | 20s | Soprano | Accent: GA
A captivating lover of stories, Regina has explored much of the world with a single suitcase, a locket, and a mind full of books. She is an imaginative, loyal, intuitive, and compassionate young woman still affected by the loss of her family and suppressed memories of what once was.

William Troy Gillenwater:
Male | Late 20s | Tenor/Baritone | Accent: GA
Compelling actor and soldier in the 69th Infantry Division of the U.S. Army, Troy is strongly resolved, artistically sensitive, and deeply sincere. A man of two estranged sides, he fights to reconcile his current life with his broken past in a war of history, art, and self.

Mr. Jenkins:
Male | 50+ | Low Baritone (strong high range, optional E2) | Accent: RP
The butler of Wimberly Manor, husband of Mrs. Jenkins, and proud ally of “Miss. Ellis,” Jenkins seems to be a man of imposing pomp and circumstance. He is amiable, humorous, and always strives to keep things sailing smoothly—though he cannot pick a lock.

Mrs. Jenkins:
Female | 50+ | Alto | Accent: RP
The housekeeper of Wimberly Manor and wife of Mr. Jenkins, Mrs. Jenkins practically raised “April, pet” and is one of her staunchest supporters. The trusty Mrs. J is motherly, dignified, and more than a tad on the fiery side.

The Rt Hon. The Lord Charles Frances Edward Ellis III:
Male | 50s | Non-singer (but must be able to speak on rhythm) | Accent: RP
April’s narcissistic father, Lord Charles is embittered, condescending, and set in his ways. His lordship loathes (and fears) his daughter’s ambitions and leads a double life as philandering man-about-town though he allows no one else to stray from the confines of societal perfection.

Ms. Clara:
Female | 50+ | Non-singer | Accent: RP
Proud owner of “Ms. Clara’s Wartime Shop of Useful Odds and Ends” where April works, Ms. Clara is a bubbly busy-body and indulgent “Auntie” to all. She is sprightly and prim, nurses an incurable sweet-tooth, and will sell every little thing from fine China to monkey wrenches.

The Shopkeeper Next Door or “Joe”:
Male | 50+ | Low Baritone (strong high range, optional E2) | Accent: RP/Cockney (Estuary)
Owner of a grocery and butcher shop next door to Ms. Clara’s, the Shopkeeper is a very jovial and good hearted, though rather bumbling, old chap. He is head-over-heels in love with Ms. Clara and will to anything for her… yes. Anything.

Ms. Hilary Atkinson:
Female | 40s | Non-singer | Accent: RP
Staunch woman of the war effort and Ms. Clara’s best friend, Ms. Atkinson organizes drives, raises funds, and volunteers for whatever cause comes her way (“On we charge—merrily, merrily!”). She is a whirlwind: madly busy and grimly optimistic. She has a passion for Shakespeare.

Kenneth Oliver:
Male | 20s | Non-singer | Accent: Cockney
A jack-of-all-trades from London’s East End, Kenneth is quiet, intelligent, and charmingly quirky. He wears a pair of thick spectacles and works on the innards of aeroplanes—along with anything else that needs a fixin’ up or crackin’ open. He is Charlotte’s adoring husband.

Charlotte Ida Oliver:
Female | 20s | Non-singer (but must “play” a typewriter on rhythm) | Accent: Costal “Old” Southern
A former Red Cross clubmobile girl, Miss. Charlotte is a sweet-as-pie young lady from Natchez, Mississippi. All smiles and hospitality despite her current humble circumstances, she loves “swinging” and types at a blazing 100 words per minute for business. She is Kenny’s doting wife.

Lottie Elders:
Female | Late 20s | Non-singer | Accent: RP
The sleek, sophisticated, and skilled Ms. Elders is a renowned West End actress who April (and The Whole Wide World) admires. Though Lottie would never sink to become the bratty prima donna, she is quite oblivious of most everything but herself and her ambition.

In the Remembered

Leona Borman:
Female | 30s | Soprano | Accent: GA
Finn and Regina’s mother, mentor, and beloved playmate. Leona is a writer of faerie stories. Appalled by her husband Günter’s ideology and violent actions, she fights to protect Finn and Regina from following in his footsteps.

Young Finn:
Male | 13 | Treble | Accent: GA (also speaks in German)
Caring, dedicated, and wise beyond his years, Young Finn dreams of being an actor. He strives to meet the standards of his father, though he prefers performing stories with his sister, Regina, and studying works by the great playwrights.

Young Regina:
Female | 9 | Treble | Accent: GA
Full of life, wonder, and joy, Young Regina lives in a spellbound world of adventure and imagination. She thrives on Leona’s stories, has a deep relationship with Finn, and intends to one day travel ‘round the world in a hot air balloon.

Günter Borman:
Male | 40s | Tenor | Accent: German (also speaks in German)
Finn and Regina’s father, Günter is a former army officer working for the National Socialist German Workers’ Party of Germany. Once a bookish young romantic, he is now harsh and sadistic. Günter’s violent nationalism fractures his family, shattering his relationship with Leona and twisting Finn’s future.

In the Imagined

Victoria Leitz:
Female | 20s | Non-singer | Accent: GA (Transatlantic/Old Hollywood)
Heroine of April’s play, Victoria is an undercover journalist. Vivacious, cynical, and deeply untrusting, she ventures into Berlin during the Great War to report on a radical “Allianz der Mutigen.”

Herr Dietrich:
Male | Late 20s | Tenor | Accent: GA (Transatlantic/Old Hollywood)
Byronic hero of April’s play, Herr Dietrich is the fierce yet enigmatic political master of Die Allianz der Mutigen. Driven and tormented, he might have known Victoria many years ago.

Marjorie Lee:
Female | 40s | Non-singer | Accent: GA (Transatlantic/Old Hollywood)
Femme fatale of April’s play, Marjorie is a power-hungry American who has ambitions to lead Die Allianz. The stately “Frau Lee” is sultry, sly, and desperate for control.

Baldwin Röth:
Male | 30s | Non-singer | Accent: German (Cliché Hollywood Style)
“Villain” of April’s play, Baldwin is a dubious, moody, and excessively suave German army officer. Exceedingly jealous of Herr Dietrich, he longs to overthrow him.

THE SUITCASE
Book by Luscinda L. Dickey
Music, Lyrics, & Orchestrations by Luscinda L. Dickey
Additional Lyrics by Kira Byler