Alice Murphy: Lead, 34-42, Mezzo-soprano; portrays Alice at age 38–an editor of a southern literary magazine; intelligent, attractive, professional–but with an air of melancholy; the same actress will also play Young Alice as a teenager — rebellious, high-spirited, sexually forward, adventurous–looking to break out of small-town life and experience the world; must be a very strong actress and singer and comfortable in folk and bluegrass styles. Ethnicity: Any

Jimmy Ray: Lead, 34-42, Tenor; will play Jimmy Ray in his early 20s in flashbacks–Mayor Dobbs’ son and young Alice’s beau; handsome, boyishly charming, well-built, and intelligent; an independent thinker who is not afraid to stand up to his father for what he believes in; he has a sense of personal responsibility and morality as well as a deep reserve of passion and emotion; must be very strong actor and singer; the same actor will also play an adult Jimmy Ray at age 40. Ethnicity: Any

Billy Cane: Lead, 22-25, Tenor; a soldier returning home from WWII; an aspiring young writer; fresh, open, optimistic, charming, and a little naive. Ethnicity: Any

Margo Crawford: Supporting, 22-25, Soprano; a small-town bookstore owner; a childhood friend of Billy’s who now harbors romantic feelings towards him; a natural beauty with a keen intellect. Ethnicity: Any

Mayor Joshua Dobbs: Supporting, 56-67 Baritone; Mayor of Zebulon; a political and financial powerbroker – distinguished, even elegant, an imposing and controlling presence; has a genuine interest in protecting his son’s future and his family name, but in doing so, is ultimately pushed to a point of extreme and irrevocable cruelty. Ethnicity: Any

Daddy Murphy: Supporting, 56-67 Baritone; Alice’s father; an authoritative and a stern disciplinarian; devoutly religious, hard-working, a poor but proud farmer. Ethnicity: Any

Mama Murphy: Supporting, 50-64, Mezzo-soprano; Alice’s mother; a caretaker to her family and her rural community; a warm, loving, sensible woman; hardworking, with great inner strength and compassion. Ethnicity: Any

Daddy Cane: Supporting, 55-65 baritone; Billy’s father; a widower; spry, good-looking; kind-hearted, if a bit lonely. Ethnicity: Any

Daryl Ames: Supporting, 30-45 Baritone/Tenor; works for Alice in Asheville. An assistant at a literary magazine; funny, with a dry and officious sense of humor; insecure, and perhaps a bit socially awkward, but endearing and innately likable; some character singing required but not a major singing role; should be able to move well. Ethnicity: Any

Lucy Grant: Supporting, 25-35 Soprano; a junior editor at a literary magazine; an ambitious, professional young “modern” career woman of the 1940’s; sexy, forthright, and provocative with a sharp sense of humor; must be able to vocally carry a big up-tempo foot stopping drinking song and dance/move very well. Ethnicity: Any

Max: 20– 30; a customer at Margo’s bookstore, at first, he has a crush on Margo, but later becomes Edna’s beau. Will also double in the ensemble. Ethnicity: Any

Florence: An employee at Margo’s bookstore and a childhood friend of both Billy and Margo. Will also double in the ensemble. Ethnicity: Any

Edna: An employee at Margo’s bookstore. Will also double in the ensemble. Ethnicity: Any

Stanford Adams: Loyal assistant to Mayor Josiah Dobbs. Will also double in the ensemble. Ethnicity: Any 

Dr. Norquist: The local family doctor in Zebulon. Will also double in the ensemble. Ethnicity: Any

Ensemble: Chorus / Ensemble will play multiple characters throughout the show; the ensemble is integral to the show and rarely leaves the stage. Must be able to sing and move well. Ethnicity: Any