LEAD CHARACTER – WILL BE DOUBLE CAST
VELMA KELLY - Female
– SOLO SINGER (F3 – D5) – CONFIDENT DANCER
A vaudeville star who (allegedly) murdered her husband and her sister in a fit of jealous rage. Velma is always looking out for Number One—herself. She’s smart, confident, and assertive, and she likes being the center of attention. Must be a dynamic belter, actor and dancer.
ROXIE HART - Female
– SOLO SINGER (B3 – E5) – CONFIDENT DANCER
Becomes a celebrity overnight when the news of Fred Casely’s death gets picked up by the papers. Formerly dissatisfied with her life, Roxie revels in her newfound fame. Roxie is resourceful, cunning, and willing to do anything to stay out of jail. Must be a great belter, dancer, and actor.
MATRON “MAMA” MORTON - Female
-SOLO SINGER (Ab3 – B4) – NON-DANCER -
The keeper of the keys at the Cook County jail. Although she’s technically on the right side of the law, she’s not above making deals that would not exactly hold up legally upon closer inspection. She is shrewd and business savvy. For Matron Mama Morton, it all comes down to money, and who can make it for her. Must be a talented singer and actress who can command the stage and isn’t afraid to make bold character choices with good comic timing!
BILLY FLYNN - Male
-SOLO SINGER (Bb2 – G) – MINIMAL DANCE -
The best criminal lawyer in Chicago. He revels in the fast-paced world of criminal defense, thrives by thinking on his feet, and trusts his ability to spin every situation to his client’s (and his) advantage. He is a master manipulator with a ton of charisma and charm. Must be a good singer and actor.
AMOS HART - Male
- SOLO SINGER (C3 – F#4) – NON-DANCER
Roxie’s hard-working husband. While Amos isn’t the sharpest knife in the drawer, he truly loves Roxie and wants what’s best for her. Though at first he is angry at her betrayal, he is willing to forgive her for the sake of their family. Must be an actor who can mine the comedy from this role without making Amos into a cartoon character and creating sympathy in the audience.
- MASTER OF CEREMONIES - Any Gender
- NO SOLO SINGING – NON-DANCER
A mystical character that appears throughout the show to introduce the various “acts”. Existing outside the events of the play, the M.C. speaks to the audience directly and often provides insight into the characters or situations. Commanding stage presence required.
SUPPORTING CHARACTERS – NOT DOUBLE CAST
THE MERRY MURDERESSES – VOCAL RANGE (A3 – C5)
The girls feature throughout most of the musical in numerous songs and scenes, almost like a Greek Chorus. The actors must use excellent diction, have a great sense of rhythm, and be effective storytellers. Must be strong singer, dancers and actors in these roles.
LIZ (“Pop”) - Female
- BELTER – CONFIDENT DANCER
Liz killed her partner, Bernie, for popping his gum too loudly. She is quite matter-of-fact about the murder and isn’t afraid to tell anyone her story. Rather crazy, loud and mad! A big, fast character.
ANNIE (“Six”) - Female
- BELTER – CONFIDENT DANCER
Annie poisoned her boyfriend, Ezekiel Young, with arsenic after finding out he lied to her and had six wives. Annie is the perfect friend... who you never want to upset! Happy, go lucky with a scary side!
JUNE (“Squish”) - Female
- BELTER – CONFIDENT DANCER
She killed her husband, Wilbur, with a knife after he aggressively accused her of having an affair with the milkman. June is the toughest of the prisoners.
KATALIN HUNYAK (“Uh Uh”) - Female
- CONFIDENT SINGER & DANCER
An Hungarian woman accused of murdering her husband with an axe. She speaks almost no English except for the words “not guilty.” Though all the women in the Cook County jail claim they aren’t guilty, Hunyak the only one who is truly innocent. The audience should sympathize with her, making the news of her execution even more shocking. Her monologue is spoken in Hungarian. Would be an advantage to be graceful dancer, must seem sweet and innocent, contrasting the other prisoners.
MONA (“Lipshitz”) - Female
- BELTER – CONFIDENT DANCER
She killed her sensitive, artistic boyfriend, Alvin Lipshitz, for repeatedly failing to be faithful to her. She appears sweet and unassuming when she tells her story, but with a tough side.
MARY SUNSHINE - Female
- SOLO SINGER (F#4 – E5/G5+ optional) – MINIMAL DANCE -
Mary is the soft-hearted crime reporter from the Evening Star whose opinion Billy sways. She is a tenacious reporter and has lots of readers, and she is famous for humanizing the criminals she writes about. Must be a good singer and great actor in this role; she must hold her own sharing the stage with the flashy Billy Flynn.
FEATURE ROLES – NOT DOUBLE CAST
FEATURE ROLES WITH NO SOLO SINGING AND MINIMAL DANCE
FRED CASELY - Male
The furniture salesman whom Roxie kills. Though for much of the show he is onstage through the lens of Roxie’s imagination, he should be easily recognizable by the audience. The actor playing Fred does not have to be a singer, but he should be a good actor.
FOGARTY - Any Gender
The policeman who responds to Roxie’s crime and interviews Amos. Must be an actor who can play a tough, streetwise cop.
REPORTER - Any Gender
One of the press room reporters with Mary Sunshine. She breaks the story of Kitty murdering Harry and his girlfriend and also interrupts Juror One just before Roxie’s verdict is declared.
KITTY - Female
Is an opinionated, wealthy socialite who kills her boyfriend, Harry, when she walks in on him at home with someone else. Needs a solid actor who can make a big impression.
HARRY - Male
Kitty’s boyfriend whose affair unfortunately ends his life.
HARRISON - Any Gender
Billy Flynn’s opposite, must be strong and confident. Male or female.
THE FOLLOWING ROLES WILL BE CAST WITHOUT AUDITION
JUDGE - Any Gender
Presiding over Roxie’s trial.
TAP DANCER – Short, significant tap-dancing solo
ENSEMBLE ROLES – NOT DOUBLE CAST
VERONICA KELLY - Female
JUROR 1 - Any Gender
PHOTOGRAPHER - Any Gender
REPORTER 1 - Any Gender
REPORTER 2 - Any Gender
REPORTER 3 - Any Gender
REPORTER 4 - Any Gender
REPORTER 5 - Any Gender
HARRY’S NEW GIRL - Female
ENSEMBLE
BILLY’S GIRLS – Must be strong dancers
THE HUSBANDS - (Bernie, Ezekiel, Wilbur, Charlie) – Mime their deaths
REPORTERS – Strong singers with energy!
JURY
PRISON GIRLS – Ensemble singing and dancing