Everybody’s Got
A Little Music…
Pamela Parker’s
Second Samuel Character Descriptions
Set in the 1940s, the inhabitants of this sleepy southern town prepare for the funeral of
one of their most beloved citizens. But their serenity is suddenly shattered when dark
secrets are revealed and the folks of Second Samuel are in for a summer they will never
forget.
B-Flat:
The heart and soul of the play and of Second Samuel. Considered
“Simple” by the rest of the town… B-Flat is the moral compass of the
community and probably the wisest person for 100 miles. He should
appear 14-18 years old.
Mary Sue:
Precocious 8-12 year old African-American child with a fly swatter.
Precocious is probably the understatement of the century… Omaha
calls her “Devil-Child?” NOTE: needs to be able to act like a Devil-Child…
Not Be a Devil-Child!
Loo-Ray:
Mary Sue’s frazzled Mother… got blinders on when it comes to her
daughter.
Mr. Mozel:
Local Hog Farmer, Mr. Mozel was born at the turn of the century… he
has survived two World Wars and the Great Depression, as such he’s a
little ‘onery about just about everything, as well as being a product of
ideas about Race, Gender, and Color that dominated the early 20th
Century. Bottom Line – He’s got a heart… but he ain’t gonna let nobody
see it! Mr. Mozel should appear 55-85
Doc:
One of the town’s Elders… in fact… He who knows everybody’s secrets,
has looked in all their closets, and knows where the bodies are buried…
but, he ain’t telling! Doc should appear 45-75 years old.
June:
The town’s neurotic and a bit absent-minded undertaker… he knows
how to embalm and bury a body… but is clearly out of his element with
what he’s encountered! June should appear 35-55 years old.
Jimmy DeeAnne:
The wife of the local Baptist Preacher, she’s the farthest from what you
would expect in a preacher’s wife… vain, bitchy beauty queen, with an
angel’s voice… she ain’t exactly evil… just… self-absorbed… completely.
Jimmy DeeAnne should appear 25-35 years old.
Ruby:
The assistant hair dresser at the Emporium… Ruby is sweet, plain and
demure until she takes a well-deserved whack at Jimmy Deanne. Ruby
should appear under 30 years old.
The following roles will be cast “Age Appropriate” to a corresponding Character… for
example… Marcella and Mansel are married… Omaha and Frisky are married as well. In
addition, U.S. has to appear a few years younger than Frisky… for that reason there is a
wide range of acceptable ages in casting these roles.
Frisky:
The best good old boy you’ll ever meet,
Frisky owns the local watering hole / bait shop and
is completely devoted to his wife Omaha (even
though he doesn’t like to show it in front of the
guys) From a well-to-do family, Frisky was basically
raised by US’s momma, and considers US a brother.
Mansel: A harmless redneck who tends to find
trouble and likes to have a drink. Mansel is married
to Marcella and even though he “Gets” a lot… he
gives as good as he gets…
U.S.:
A diligent, hard working, soft-spoken
African-American man… If B-Flat is the moral
compass, then US is the pilot, quietly guiding
Second Samuel in the right direction.
Omaha: The cute stylish owner of the
Emporium… the local beauty shop. Omaha’s heart
as big as the entire south, and if she’s talking you’re
not gonna get a word in edgewise, cattawampus, or
any other way.
Marcela: A good-natured, hard-working country
woman who’s relationship with her husband
Mansel, defines the old phrase, “which came first…
the chicken or the egg?” The question is… Was
Marcella being crazy drive Mansel to drink… or did
Mansel’s drinking make Marcella crazy? Either way,
she’s determined to make a “Good Man” out of
Mansel.