George M. Cohan
Male
A brilliant, cocky, brash, driven, dynamic, demanding, and charismatic master showman. He writes, sings, dances, and acts with equally thrilling genius, commitment, and dexterity. He is obsessed with show business, and almost nothing in his personal life means as much to him. His only true loves are himself, his work, his parents, his sister, and Sam Harris. He wants to be a good husband and father but is just too self-involved. During the course of the show he ages from 20 to 42. (This role requires very accomplished singing, dancing, and acting abilities.) Baritone.

Old George
Male
An elderly, cantankerous, impatient, pissed-off version of his younger self. However, his dynamism, passion, and commanding star quality are still evident. He can’t fathom how or why the world has passed him by. Telling his story becomes an emotional rollercoaster ride for him. He is in his early 60s but looks and feels much older. (Very limited singing ability is required for this role). Baritone.

Sam Harris
Male
George M. Cohan’s best friend and producing partner. A scrappy, dynamic go-getter from the streets of New York’s Lower East Side. He would do anything for George. Their relationship is at the center of the story. During the course of the show, he ages from 22 to 60. (No singing or dancing ability is required for this role.) Non-singing.

Jerry Cohan
Male
George’s father. A smooth, accomplished song and dance man. He would probably have been content achieving only moderate success if George had not pulled the whole family into stardom. During the course of this show, he ages from 40ish to 60ish. (This role requires very accomplished singing, dancing, and acting abilities.) Baritone.

Nellie Cohan
Female
George’s mother. Warm, caring, and strong. A confident, versatile performer. During the course of this show, she ages from late 30s to late 50s. (This role requires very accomplished singing, dancing, and acting abilities.) Mezzo–Belt.

Josie Cohan
Female
George’s sister. Spunky and dynamic. Lights up the stage. Jealous that her brother is always the center of attention. During the course of this show, she ages from early 20s to early 40s. (This role requires very accomplished singing, dancing, and acting abilities.) Soprano–Belt.

Ethel Levey
Female
George’s first wife. A young and vibrant star in her own right. A savvy, wisecracking “gal” who can charm anyone with a wink, a joke, and a song. She is a dynamic, expressive singer and natural comic in the Fanny Brice mode. (This role requires very accomplished singing and acting abilities. Only limited dancing skill is required.) Soprano–Belt.

Georgette
Female
The 20-something daughter of George and Ethel. Eager to prove herself, and desperate to receive her father’s attention and approval. Her talents are a whacky, outrageous and unmodulated mix of the talents of both of her parents. She masks her insecurity with the false bravado typical of the children of famous parents. Soprano–Belt. (In previous productions, one actor played both roles, but they could be divided between two actors.)

Lou
Male
An ex-dancer, now in his 50s, who works as a stage doorman. A former employee and colleague of Old George. (Very minimal singing is required for this role.) Non-singing.

Young Lou
Male
George’s longtime dance captain and understudy. (This role requires an accomplished comic actor who is also a very good dancer. He also plays the role of the Henchman and can double as a member of the singing and dancing Ensemble if needed.)

Agnes Nolan
Female
Lovely, talented young Irish women with an eye for George. (This role requires accomplished singing and dancing abilities. This actor can also double as a member of the singing and dancing Ensemble.) Soprano–Belt.

Alice Nolan
Female
Lovely, talented young Irish woman with an eye for Sam. (This role requires accomplished singing and dancing abilities. This actor can also double as a member of the singing and dancing Ensemble.) Soprano–Belt.

Abraham Erlanger
Male
One of the most powerful and most successful producers in the show business. A real son-of-a-bitch. Ages from 40ish to 50ish.

Stage Manager
All Genders
Overwrought and over-extended. Struggling to keep all of the balls in the air and keep up with George. (In previous productions, one actor played both roles, but they could be divided between two actors. These roles require very little singing or dancing ability.)

The Champ
Male
Former heavyweight champion of the world. A big, handsome, musclebound lug who just happens to have natural performing abilities. 30ish.

Chick Gordon
Male
A driven, brash hipster agent who is working hard to shape and promote Georgette into stardom. His attitude and personality are reminiscent of George at the beginning of the show. 30ish. (In previous productions, one actor played both roles, but they could be divided between two actors. Can also be a member of the singing and dancing Ensemble. On their own, these duel roles require very little singing or dancing ability.)

Young Georgette
Female
Daughter of George and Ethel, eight years old. Non-singing.

Ensemble Roles
All Genders
The ensemble members primarily portray professional singers and dancers performing in George M. Cohan’s Broadway musicals, as well as the following: Stagehands (non-speaking) Old Union Soldier (non-speaking) 1st Reporter 2nd Reporter Harry – A bartender. Nurse (non-speaking