HIS Musical ASA

Dear Edwina is an uplifting musical about the pleasures of growing up. Thirteen year-old Edwina Spoonapple is desperate to be a part of the Kalamazoo Advice-a-palooza Festival. While her siblings both have ample evidence of their accomplishments, poor Edwina has no credibility. When a talent scout from the convention visits her hometown, she introduces her musical advice giving shows live from the family garage in hopes of finding her place in the spotlight. She is helped by her older siblings, quirky friends, and neighbors. Together they set out to tackle the world's problems with hysterical numbers about everything from birthday party etiquette to the proper table settings.

 

All performers, except Edwina, are part of the ensemble throughout the show and must sing and move well. They step forward to assume their character identities for individual songs. Some actors may be asked to play two or more parts.

Neighborhood Kids

 

EDWINA SPOONAPPLE – the creator of “The Dear Edwina Show,” she is a bossy but lovable girl who goes through many changes during the show. The actress in this role needs to have a strong, clear singing voice, be able to move/dance well, and needs a strong stage presence.

BECKY – the top cheerleader for the Paw Paw Wildcats. She loves practicing new cheers and showing them to her friends. She should be able to do a cartwheel.

SCOTT – the neighborhood nerd who is helplessly in love with Edwina and is always trying to get her attention. Strong comic timing is needed for the role, in addition to a strong singing voice.

KELLI – a neighbor who wants to be a ballerina and is very serious about her dancing.

BOBBY – Edwina’s new next door neighbor, he is a friendly and compassionate character who goes out of his way to help others.

LARS VANDERPLOONK – an accident-prone neighbor of Edwina’s who is one of the Vlanderploonk triplets and is always falling and getting hurt.

BILLY VLANDERPOONK – another of the Vlanderploonk triplets, Billy is also the box office manager for “The Dear Edwina Show.”

CORDELL – the third of the Vlanderploonk triplets, he also serves as the house manager for “The Dear Edwina Show.”

ANNIE – Edwina’s friend who is working hard to earn her Girl Scout badges. She is perky, energetic and helpful… sometimes too helpful.

 

Letter Readers (each with their own personalities)

 

APHRODITE – A girl who writes to Dear Edwina with a problem about her brother. Her letter is a solo song, so Aphrodite must be a strong singer.

CARRIE – A girl who writes to Dear Edwina because she doesn’t know which fork to use at the dinner table. Her letter is a solo song, so Carrie must be a strong singer.

ABIGAIL - A girl who writes to Dear Edwina because she thinks her brother is gross. Her letter is a solo song, so Abigail must be a strong singer.

ZIGGY - A boy who writes to Dear Edwina with a problem about his reggae band. His letter is a solo song, so Ziggy must be played by a strong singer.

 

Other characters:

 

VLADIMIR – Edwina’s strange uncle from Transylvania. He sings the song “Frankenguest” and needs a strong singing voice and an even stronger stage presence.

KATIE SPOONAPPLE – Edwina’s little sister and a math wiz. She helps Edwina to realize how special she is.

FRANK – a rude, self-centered, and bratty kid who is the subject of the song “Frankenguest.” The actor needs to “speak/sing” dialogue over the music of the song.

CHEF LUDMILLA – A famous chef who helps instruct the rest of the company on how to set a table in the song “Fork, Knife, Spoon.” The actor in this role should be a strong singer.

WILLIAM SONOMA - A silverware manufacturer who helps instruct the rest of the company on how to set a table in the song “Fork, Knife, Spoon.” The actor in this role should be a strong singer.

FAIRY FORKMOTHER – the “Queen of Cutlery” who helps instruct the rest of the company on how to set a table in the song “Fork, Knife, Spoon.” The actor in this role should be a strong singer.

SUSIE & THE NAPKINS – a 1950’s girl group who sing the song “Say No Thank You.” All the girls in the group should be able to sing and move well.

JOHNNY – a “greaser” from the 1950’s, this is a non-singing role.

QUEEN OF BOOLA BOOLA – the ruler of a faraway land, who grows and shares strange and exotic foods. The actor needs to “speak/sing” dialogue over the music of the song.

LOLA – a shy girl who has just arrived in America. She sings a portion of the song “Hola Lola” with several other characters and should be able to do a Spanish accent.

HARRY – Lola’s cousin who just wants to have a good time. He sings a portion of the song “Hola Lola.”

MARY SUE BETTY BOB – Edwina’s distant country cousin. The actor in this role should be a strong singer and be able to do a Southern accent. She sings most of the song “Put It In the Piggy.”

FARMER JERRY – Edwina’s uncle and Mary Sue Betty Bob’s dad, he sings part of “Put It In The Piggy.”