Sonny Malone
Male, Lead, Tenor
Sonny is a hunky but temporarily uninspired California chalk artist. He takes great pride in his artwork, 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 roller skates (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)
Female, Lead, 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: http://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.
Danny Maguire / Zeus
Male, Supporting, 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 loved a woman named Tangerine, and 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. The actor playing Danny also plays Zeus, 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: http://www.theoi.com/Olympios/Zeus.html. The actor playing Danny/Zeus should be an excellent comic actor with a great deadpan.
Melpomene / Medusa
Female, Supporting, Mezzo-Soprano
Pronounced mel-POH-muh-nay. Melpomene is the muse of tragedies and the mother of the Sirens. More information is available here: http://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. The actor playing Melpomene also plays Medusa, one of Zeus’ wives. More information on Medusa is available here: http://www.theoi.com/Pontios/Gorgones.html. The actor playing Melpomene/Medusa should be a gifted comedic actor with inventiveness, wit, and incredible control. She should also be an accomplished singer with a strong upper range.
Calliope/Aphrodite
Female, Supporting, 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: http://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. The actor playing Calliope also plays Aphrodite, one of Zeus’ wives. Aphrodite is the goddess of love. More information about Aphrodite can be found here: http://www.theoi.com/Olympios/Aphrodite.html. The actor playing Calliope/Aphrodite should be an exceptional comedian with great comic timing (especially when placed alongside the actor playing Melpomene). She should have a good character voice.
Erato
Female, Featured, 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: http://www.theoi.com/Ouranios/MousaErato.html. She is sensual and has excellent control over her body. The actor playing Erato also plays a Siren, an Andrews Sister, Eros (a bright and perky archer of the arrow of love), and Hera (one of Zeus’ wives). To learn more about these characters from Greek mythology, start here: http://www.theoi.com/. The actor playing Erato should have a strong pop/rock voice and great stamina.
Thalia
Female, Featured, 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: http://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). To learn more about these characters from Greek mythology, start here: http://www.theoi.com/. The actor playing Thalia should have a strong pop/rock voice with a pop falsetto to high C and great physical stamina.
Euterpe
Female, Featured,Soprano
Pronounced you-TER-pay. The muse of music, and one of Kira’s older sisters. You can find more information about Euterpe here: http://www.theoi.com/Ouranios/MousaEuterpe.html. The actor playing Euterpe also plays a Siren, an Andrews Sister, and Thetis (one of Zeus’ wives). To learn more about these characters from Greek mythology, start here: http://www.theoi.com/. The actor playing Euterpe should have a strong pop/rock voice and great physical stamina.
Terpsichre
Male, Featured, Tenor
Pronounced terp-SIH-kor-ee. The muse of dance, and one of Kira’s older sisters. You can learn more about Terpsichore here: http://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). To learn more about these characters from Greek mythology, start here: http://www.theoi.com/. 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.
