Characters

LEADS

Sonny Malone

Tenor

Sonny is a hunky but temporarily uninspired California chalk artist. He takes great pride in his art work, and is heartbroken when he makes errors or isn’t entirely pleased with his work. Sonny is on the verge of killing himself over another artistic disappointment when Kira, a lovely Australian woman on rollerskates (who is actually a muse from Mount Olympus), appears and offers him inspiration. Sonny, at his best, is optimistic, hard-working, and determined, if not always the sharpest tool in the shed. He’s a typical 1980s California beach bum. The actor playing Sonny should have a strong pop tenor with a high C. He should also have some physical adeptness in roller skates, as he performs a few scenes on skates.

Clio (Kira)

Soprano

Pronounced KLAI-oh / KEE-rah. Clio is the Greek muse of history, the youngest of the nine muses, and their de facto leader. More information about Clio can be found here: (https://www.theoi.com/Ouranios/MousaKleio.html). She is pretty, perky, and precocious, but is also very honest and determined. Clio loves inspiring artists, but it struck when she discovers how much she loves to create art herself. She falls in love with the human chalk artist Sonny Malone. When she is playing Kira, she must be able to do an Australian accent (possibly a mediocre one.) The actor playing Clio should be an exceptionally strong comic performer with a large singing range and a high pop belt. She should also be incredibly proficient on roller skates, since she spends almost 95% of the musical on skates.

SUPPORTING

Danny Maguire

Tenor

At first glance, Danny Maguire is a hard-ass real estate manager with no time for shenanigans. He is more interested in making money than he is in fostering new businesses or providing opportunities to young people like Sonny Malone, who wants to rent one of his real estate holdings, the decrepit Xanadu theatre. As a young man, however, Danny was a professional clarinetist who loved a woman named Tangerine, and he wanted to build the Xanadu as a music venue for her. Danny eventually softens when he recognizes a kinship with Tangerine in a woman named Kira (actually Clio, a muse from Mount Olympus) who is helping Danny. 

Melpomene

Mezzo-Soprano

Pronounced mel-POH-muh-nay. Melpomene is the muse of tragedies and the mother of the Sirens. More information is available here: (https://www.theoi.com/Ouranios/MousaMelpomene.html). The eldest of the nine muses, Melpomene resents Clio, the youngest, for becoming the leader of the muses. Zeus overlooked Melpomene because he thought she had too much on her plate with the children. Melpomene is a self-confessed “evil woman” and plot Clio’s downfall along with her sister Calliope. 

Calliope

Mezzo-Soprano

Pronounced cal-AYE-oh-pay. The muse of epics and sidekick to her eldest muse sister, Melpomene. More information about Calliope can be found here: (https://www.theoi.com/Ouranios/MousaKalliope.html). Like Melpomene, Calliope is jealous of Clio for being designated the leader of the muses, while the older sisters are ignored. Along with Melpomene, Calliope comes up with a plot to curse Clio and have her banished from Mount Olympus. 

FEATURED

Erato

Mezzo-Soprano

Pronounced AIR-ah-toe. The muse of lyrics and erotica, and one of Kira’s older sisters. More information about Erato can be found here: (https://www.theoi.com/Ouranios/MousaErato.html). She is sensual and has excellent control over her body. 

Thalia

(Female Presenting)

Tenor

Pronounced tuh-LAI-uh. The muse of comedy, and one of Kira’s older sisters. This actor plays the role of Thalia in drag. You can find more information about Thalia here: (https://www.theoi.com/Ouranios/MousaThaleia.html). The actor playing Thalia also plays a Siren, a 1980s rocker, Cyclops (who appears on Mount Olympus), and Young Danny (the young version of Danny Maguire, who performs a ballroom and tap number). The actor playing Thalia should have a strong pop/rock voice with a pop falsetto to high C and great physical stamina.

Euterpe

Soprano

Pronounced you-TER-pay. The muse of music, and one of Kira’s older sisters. You can find more information about Euterpe here: (https://www.theoi.com/Ouranios/MousaEuterpe.html). 

Terpsichore

Tenor

Pronounced terp-SIH-kor-ee. The muse of dance, and one of Kira’s older sisters. You can learn more about Terpsichore here: (https://www.theoi.com/Ouranios/MousaTerpsikhore.html). This actor plays the role of Terpsichore in drag. The actor playing Terpsichore also plays a Siren, a 1980s rocker, Centaur (who appears on Mount Olympus), and Hermes (the noble and upstanding messenger god-- at least until he’s provoked). The actor playing Terpsichore should have a strong pop/rock voice with a pop falsetto to high C, great facility with movement, and excellent physical stamina.

FEATURED ENSEMBLE

Eros (Cupid)

EROS was the mischievous god of love, a minion and constant companion of the goddess Aphrodite. Has featured solo lines in Strange Magic. More information about Eros can be found here: (https://www.theoi.com/Ouranios/Eros.html).

Zeus

Zeus is the hard-nosed, powerful king of the gods, who is set to punish Clio for falling in love with Sonny -- until Sonny’s conviction in their love convinces him otherwise. More information about Zeus can be found here: (https://www.theoi.com/Olympios/Zeus.html). 

Hera

Hera is one of Zeus’ wives. She is the Olympian queen of the gods, and the goddess of marriage, women, the sky, and the stars of heaven. Sings in a Trio with Thetis and Aphrodite. More information about Hera can be found here: (https://www.theoi.com/Olympios/Hera.html).

Thetis

Thetis is one of Zeus’ wives. She is a goddess of the sea and the leader of the fifty Nereides. Like many other sea Gods she possessed the gift of prophesy and power to change her shape at will. Sings in a Trio with Hera and Aphrodite.More information about Thetis can be found here: (https://www.theoi.com/Pontios/NereisThetis.html).

Aphrodite

Aphrodite is one of Zeus’ wives. Aphrodite is the Olympian goddess of love, beauty, and pleasure. Sings in a Trio with Thetis and Hera. More information about Aphrodite can be found here: (https://www.theoi.com/Olympios/Aphrodite.html). 

Cyclops

Cyclopes were primordial giants and master craftsmen characterized by a single round eye in the middle of their forehead. Has featured solo lines in Have You Never Been Mellow. More information about Cyclops can be found here: (https://www.theoi.com/Gigante/GigantePolyphemos.html).

Medusa

THE GORGONES (Gorgons) were three powerful, winged daimones named Medousa (Medusa), Sthenno, and Euryale. Of the three sisters, only Medusa was mortal. Medusa is one of Zeus’ wives. Has featured solo lines in Have You Never Been Mellow. More information on Medusa is available here: (https://www.theoi.com/Pontios/Gorgones.html).

Centaur

THE KENTAUROI (Centaurs) were a tribe of half-man, half-horse savages who inhabited the mountains and forests of Thessalian Magnesia. Has featured solo lines in Have You Never Been Mellow. More information on Centaurs are available here: (https://www.theoi.com/Georgikos/KentauroiThessalioi.html).

Hermes

HERMES was the Olympian god of herds and flocks, travellers and hospitality, roads and trade, thievery and cunning, heralds and diplomacy, language and writing, athletic contests and gymnasiums, astronomy and astrology. He was the herald and personal messenger of Zeus, King of the Gods, and also the guide of the dead who led souls down into the underworld. Has featured solo lines in scene 6. More information on Hermes is available here: (https://www.theoi.com/Olympios/Hermes.html).

ENSEMBLE

SINGING AND DANCING ensemble and other minor roles, including:

Young Woman

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