Patrick Flanagan (Lead role - 40-55): Veteran Canadian actor; can be loud, boorish and arrogant; a drinker and a bit of a bully; he is resentful of co-star’s success in the US but avoids venturing in that direction himself because of his own insecurities; is supposed to have an Italian accent in the play-within-a-play. He’s a bit of a psychopath who calls people at three in the morning, drinks too much, and is crazy.
Jessica Logan (Lead role – 40-55): She too is a veteran Canadian actor (past her ‘best before date’, who has had success in the US and has returned to star in a Canadian play; diva of sorts; she has major conflicts with her co-star; witty, charming and ‘sarcastic’; she is very insecure and hoping this play will be the vehicle to bring her back to a Broadway success.
Phil Mastorakis (Major role - 35-45): Neurotic and insecure actor; still lives with his mother; has difficulty remembering lines and is terrified of losing his lines on stage; whiny, finicky, complains about everything; can be demanding; very comedic role. The neuro=c Phil is insulted by the hideous wig, terribly too-tight pants and squeaky shoes. He wants a prompter because he muffs his lines frequently. In short - he is hilarious.
George Ellsworth (Major role - 35-45): Patient and long-suffering director; level-headed and diplomatic; tries to make everyone happy and the show a success; dry wit. The director who must cajole, persuade, kiss derrieres and calm down egos to keep things moving and get the play to open.
Robert Ross (Major role - 25-38): Anxious and somewhat depressed young playwright; his first play was a success, and he is terrified this one, his second, won't be; attends every rehearsal for fear that any word of his play might be changed. A nervous pill-popping playwright of “The Care and Treatment of Roses”, who is defensive of his script and a pain to deal with.
Tom Kent (Major role - 20-30): Talented young ‘novice’ actor hoping to make it big; still wide- eyed, innocent and enamoured with everything to do with the theatre; drinks a bit too much at his father's wedding and shows up drunk opening night of the show.
Nick or Nicky (Minor M/F role - 25-35): Pedantic stage manager; obsessed with rules and proper procedure; sarcastic and somewhat humourless; always trying to get things moving on.
Susi (Minor role - 20-30): Front-of-house assistant, though does pretty much everything in the theatre; hard-working; efficient and calm; sarcastic, but sweet.
Peggy (Minor role – 25-35): Assistant Stage management, hard-working, attentive, has an affection for Patrick. Always there when she is needed.