Characters and Vocal Ranges

Jacob’s Follies

Characters and Vocal Ranges

The Choral Ensemble-All characters in the show, except for Jacob, Rachael, and Esau, will become part of the Vocal Ensemble when not playing his or her specific character. Therefore, all cast must be able to sing a simple vocal part (soprano, alto, tenor, or bass) when singing with the Ensemble. The Ensemble will at various times become party guests, camp followers, the Bedouins, etc.

Jacob(Baritone) Early twenties to mid – thirties. Fiery young man. And smart as a whip.

Rachael(Soprano, middle range. Minimum singing) Early twenties to mid – thirties. Even tempered, lovely and wise. She acts also, from time to time, as a narrator – often voicing the words of God.

Abisham(Baritone. Minimum singing) Late teens to early thirties. Jacob’s man-servant. A little dense.

Ophar(Baritone. Minimum singing) Another male servant. A weeper.

Mizapah(Choral singing only – tenor or bass) Male. Early twenties to mid- thirties. Esau’s confidant. A no nonsense guy.

Esau(Non- singing) Male. Early twenties to mid – thirties. A hearty outdoorsman with a low boiling point. Underneath, however, there’s a heart of gold.

Isaac(Choral singing only – tenor or bass) Male. Should be able to credibly play an old man through voice and gesture. Quirky and love to “party.” Almost blind.

Rebekah(Soprano, middle range) Should be able to credibly play a “youngish” middle age. She is gutsy and used to taking charge.

Lazarus(Choral singing – tenor or bass) Male. Any age. Rebekah’s servant. An incurable gossip and a little flighty.

Nephew(Choral singing only – tenor or bass) Male. Any age. An eager conspirator.

Fina(Country Western belt. Alto range) Female with a Southern drawl.

Inkizah(Choral singing only – soprano or alto) Any age. Female servant. Prudish, nit-picking.

Uncle Niphi(Choral singing only – tenor or bass) Any age. An oddball who wear glasses thick as coke bottles.

Fina’s Friend(Choral singing – soprano or alto) Any age. Another eager conspirator.

Laban (Choral singing – tenor or bass) Male. Middle age type. An eccentric, a trickster. Will do the unexpected at the drop of a hat.

Leah(Choral singing only – soprano or alto) Young female – early twenties. Laban’s daughter. Also a bit eccentric.

Dinah(Soprano) Should be able to play a young female in her late teens to early twenties. Bright personality, sweet and sincere.

Mourners(A variety of vocal ranges from alto to high soprano) Several ladies of varying ages who have a good time wailing.

Bedouin

King(Baritone) An older middle-age type. Larger – than – life, rambunctious, and lives for the spotlight.

Bedouin

Queen(Soprano, big and brassy) Huge personality with a bent toward the melodramatic.

Bedouin

Kids(Higher vocal range – unison singing) A mix of male and female. Very cute and very loud.

Elishibaba(Choral singing only) Female. Any age. Bedouin waitress with a piercing Middle Eastern-esque accent.

Mr.

Dodobaba(Choral singing only) Male. The Bedouin Game Show Host with a big over-the-top announcer voice.