CAROLINE, OR CHANGE
Set in one of the most pivotal times in America's history, the Tony-nominated Caroline, or Change is riveting, moving and awe-inspiring. Featuring a virtuosic score by Jeanine Tesori (Shrek The Musical, Thoroughly Modern Millie), it blends blues, gospel and traditional Jewish melodies, creating a breathtaking medium for Kushner's provocative and personal story.
In 1963, the Gellman family and their African-American maid, Caroline, live in sleepy Lake Charles, Louisiana. Caroline is drifting through life as a single mother of four working in a service job to a white family. A fragile, yet beautiful friendship develops between the young Gellman son, Noah, and Caroline. Noah's stepmother, Rose, unable to give Caroline a raise, tells Caroline that she may keep the money that Noah leaves in his pockets. Caroline balks and refuses to take money from a child but her own children desperately need food, clothing and shoes. Outside of the laundry room, some of the greatest social advancements that the country has seen are being set in motion, and change is knocking on the door.
Caroline, or Change, produces a valuable theatrical experience that continues to thrill audiences the world over. It is a story that must be shared and will touch hearts. It is a story that will open minds. It is a story that will change theatergoers for the better. Featuring one of the most powerful female roles in musical theatre, Caroline, or Change is a true tour de force that will leave audiences breathless.
PERFORMANCES
October 31 and November 6, 7, 13, and 14 at 7:30pm
November 1, 8, and 15 at 2:00pm
VENUE
F. Scott Fitzgerald Theatre
Rockville Civic Center
603 Edmonston Drive
Rockville, MD
PRODUCTION TEAM
DIRECTED BY Rikki Howie Lacewell
MUSIC DIRECTED BY LeVar Betts
CHOREOGRAPHED BY Kaya Harrison
CREATORS
BOOK & LYRICS BY Tony Kushner
MUSIC BY Jeanine Tesori
AUDITIONS
Audition dates to be announced. Sign up below to receive a direct email when audition sign ups open.
Caroline or Change Character Breakdown
Please Note: The age ranges and gender identities listed indicate the age or gender that the character should appear onstage and does not need to match the age/gender identity of the performer. Caroline or Change requires casting for specific race or ethnicity as noted in the Character Breakdown below. All actors in adult roles must be 15 years of age or older.
Caroline Thibodeaux: Works as a maid to the Gellman family. She is a divorcee with four children and resistant to change in the world. Bitter, tired, devoted.
Role portrayed by a Black Female Identifying performer
Portrayed Age: 35 to 45
Vocal range top: E3 - E5
Emmie Thibodeaux: Caroline's only daughter. Observant, rebellious, outspoken.
Role portrayed by a Black Female Identifying performer
Portrayed Age: 16 to 18
Vocal range top: F3 - F5
Jackie Thibodeaux: Caroline's son. Though he is older than Joe, he is more sweet and naïve.
Role portrayed by a BIPOC Male or Female Identifying performer
Portrayed Age: 9 to 12
Vocal range top: A3 - D5
Joe Thibodeaux: Caroline's son. Though he is the baby of the family, he is outspoken and skeptical.
Role portrayed by a BIPOC Male or Female Identifying performer
Portrayed Age: 8 to 11
Vocal range top: B3 - D5
Noah Gellman: The son of Caroline's employer, Stuart Gellman. Shy, forgetful, and looks to Caroline for comfort and distraction.
Role portrayed by a White Male Identifying performer
Portrayed Age: 7 to 10
Vocal range top: G3 - E5
Stuart Gellman: Noah's father and Rose's new husband. He is also Caroline's employer. He has trouble connecting to his son and new wife.
Role portrayed by a White Male Identifying performer
Portrayed Age: 30 to 40
Vocal range top: B3 - G5
Rose Stopnick Gellman: An old friend of the Gellman's and Stuart's new wife. She has recently moved to the South.
Role portrayed by a White Female Identifying performer
Portrayed Age: 35 to 45
Vocal range top: G3 - E5
Mr. Stopnick: Rose's father is from New York City. A politically progressive man with dissenting opinions.
Role portrayed by a White Male Identifying performer
Portrayed Age: 65 to 75
Vocal range top: F3 - E5
Grandma Gellman: Stuart's mother and Noah's grandmother. She is concerned for her son's melancholy and an admirer of his new wife.
Role portrayed by a White Female Identifying performer
Portrayed Age: 55 to 65
Vocal range top: G3 - E5
Grandpa Gellman: Stuart's father and Noah's grandfather. He is aloof to the changes occurring in the South.
Role portrayed by a White Male Identifying performer
Portrayed Age: 60 to 70
Vocal range top: G3 - E5
Dotty Moffett: Caroline's high-spirited friend and fellow maid. A drinker and smoker, she is routinely admonished by Caroline for her behavior.
Role portrayed by a Black Female Identifying performer
Portrayed Age: 25 to 35
Vocal range top: F3 - D5
Washing Machine: Part narrator, part friend, and part subconscious to Caroline and her story.
Role portrayed by a BIPOC Female Identifying performer
Portrayed Age: Female, 20 to 50+
Vocal range top: G3 - E5
The Radio: Part narrator, part friend, and part subconscious to Caroline and her story. Played by three women.
Role portrayed by a BIPOC Female Identifying performers
Portrayed Age: 20 to 50
The Moon: Part narrator, part friend, and part subconscious to Caroline and her story.
Role portrayed by a BIPOC Female Identifying performer
Portrayed Age: 20 to 50+
Vocal range top: B3 - A
The Dryer: Part narrator, part friend, and part subconscious to Caroline and her story. Can double as The Bus.
Role portrayed by a BIPOC Male Identifying performer
Portrayed Age: 20 to 50+
Vocal range top: E3 - C6
The Bus: Part narrator, part friend, and part subconscious to Caroline and her story. Can double as The Dryer.
Role portrayed by a BIPOC Male Identifying performer
Portrayed Age: 20 to 50+
Vocal range top: G3 - B5
Caroline or Change is presented through special arrangement with Musical Theatre International (MTI).
All authorized performance materials are also supplied by MTI. www.MTIShows.com