FELICITY BIRCH (50s)—founder and CEO of foob. An award-winning film actress, now a wellness icon. She is dazzlingly luminous, an ethereal Nordic goddess born and bred in L.A.; California radiates from her pores. Felicity was thirty when her father died of cancer following a harrowing, years-long, traditionally-Western treatment regimen (chemo, surgery, etc.). After his passing, she pivoted into alternative medicine and wellness. Opaque to all but those nearest and dearest. White. Pop alto belt.
NEVAEH FREEMAN (late-20s)—Social Media Director at foob, soon promoted to SVP of Communications. A light-skinned Black woman from the South Bronx, whose superb academic record in the Prep for Prep gifted education program landed her a scholarship to Andover, where she met Felicity (a trustee) and began a series of “fast track” internships at foob. Brilliant and formidable; sees Felicity as the mentor to whom she owes her career. Biracial (Black/White). Powerhouse soprano belt; vocal agility a plus.
REYNOLDS WHITAKER (30s)—the creator of a now-defunct women’s co-working space in Manhattan, which came under fire for mistreatment of its employees of color. She soon moves cross-country to begin working at foob. A whip-smart, intensely driven, meticulous P.R. savant; a girl-boss on her apology tour. Her charm masks just how tightly wound she is. White. Crystalline mezzo mix/belt.
EZRA MARGOLIN (late-20s)—the gay, Jewish Art Director in foob’s Communications Department and Nevaeh’s best friend from Yale, now her housemate in West Hollywood. Wry, neurotic, and often the only male voice in the room. Born into a Hasidic community in Brooklyn. Feels an expectation to be Pete Buttigieg, Jonathan van Ness, and Adam Rippon rolled into one. White. Soulful high baritone.
CANDICE FREEMAN (late-30s)—Nevaeh’s older half-sister who lives in the South Bronx. While Candice’s father was out of the picture, Nevaeh’s father died in the Iraq War and became a saint in death to their mother. Just like Jesus, thought Candice, another dead white man who could do no wrong! Honest, perceptive, tells it like it is; trying hard to overcome old wounds to be a good sister. Black. Warm alto/mezzo.
RHONDA LUPINO (50s)—Felicity’s best friend, and the iron-willed CFO to Felicity’s CEO. Came up fighting in the archetypally male finance world of the early ‘90s, navigating “boys’ clubs” and grittily resigned to using her looks as a bargaining chip. Scrappy, deadpan, no-nonsense, deeply loyal, and not afraid to bruise her knuckles in a board meeting. White. Brassy alto belt.
SAM BIRCH (mid- to late-20s)—Felicity’s son by way of sperm donor. An actor with his mother’s good looks and talent for playing the ingenue, he’s silver-tongued and affable. A heartthrob on the cusp of major studio stardom. The child of nepotism, but cops to it. White. Lyric tenor.
DEREK BENNETT (late-20s — early-30s)—Reynolds’ boyfriend, a fitness influencer who moves cross-country to L.A. with her to become foob’s new “D.E.I. Fitness Ambassador,” and one of their few Black employees. Perfectly polished, with a hit trampoline cardio intensive. Black. Pop tenor.
GORDON ALWORTH (late-50s — 60s)—the Chairman of foob’s Board of Directors, and the company’s longtime angel donor. An old Wall Street chum of Rhonda’s. Funny, suave, chauvinistic, impossibly wealthy. Quickly rose through the ranks at Credit Suisse. White. Character baritone.
LUNA FREEMAN (13)—Candice’s daughter; Nevaeh’s niece. A bright Prep for Prep student just like her Aunt Nevaeh, whom she idolizes like no other. Winsome and hopeful. Black. Light soprano mix.
ENSEMBLE—foob employees and customers, including:
CHEYENNE LUPINO (mid- to late-20s)—Rhonda’s adopted daughter. Has been in love with Sam forever. Sweet, sycophantic. Mezzo.
MONICA, TORI, SAVANNAH, BELLA, CHLOE, JASMINE, BELLA, and KAYLA (20s-30s)—Any ethnicity. Any vocal type.
MIGUEL, GRIFFIN, and ZANE (20s-30s)—Any ethnicity. Any vocal type.