Blood Brothers
Performances September 5-8, 2024 | Rehearsals Begin June, 2024
Rehearsals Tuesday Evenings and Sundays (must be available most of August, 2024)
“Tell me it’s not true. Say it’s just a story...”
Blood Brothers, by the author of Educating Rita and Shirley Valentine, is a haunting rags-to-riches tragedy of our times. A woman with numerous children to support surrenders one of her newborn twins to her childless employer. The boys grow up streets apart, never learning the truth, but become firm friends and fall in love with the same girl. One prospers while the other falls on hard times. A narrator warns that the separation of twins commands a heavy price: the lives of the blood brothers, who die on the day they discover they are related.
Blood Brothers premiered at the Liverpool Playhouse in Liverpool, England in 1983. On April 11, 1983, the show opened in the West End at the Lyric Theatre. The Broadway production of Blood Brothers opened on April 25, 1993 at the Music Box Theatre, where it ran for over two years.
Character descriptions
MRS. JOHNSTONE (MOTHER): Female, 30’s (Range: Mezzo Soprano, F3-C5)cOriginal Mother of Mickey and Edward. After her husband walks out on her, she is left to take care of her children. Constantly trying to do what is best. Gets a job as a maid to support her children. While she tries her best, she cannot escape the society she has been born into.
NARRATOR: Male, Age Flexible (Range: Rock Tenor, G3-G4) “Did y’ hear the story of the Johnstone twins?” Takes the audience through the important sections of the story. Truthful, yet ominous at times. Also appears as Milkman 1, Gynaecologist, Bus Conductor, Milkman 2, Teacher, Rifle Range Man.
MRS. LYONS: Female, 30’s (Range: Mezzo Soprano, B3-D5) Mrs. Johnstone’s employer. Kind with good intensions but puts herself first—no matter the cost. Adopts Edward out of desperation towards her own insecurities. A compulsive liar who gets in over her head.
MR. LYONS: Male, 30-40 (Range: Ensemble/Non Singing) Proper Gentleman from the upper class. Is tricked into thinking his wife has had a child while he was on an extended business trip. Constantly busy, and leaves the homely responsibilities up to his wife.
MICKEY: Male, Plays 7-20’s (Range: Bari Tenor, D3-E4) Blood Brother raised in the poor part of town by Mrs. Johnston. A trouble maker pressured by the rules of society.
EDWARD: Male, Plays 7-20’s (Range: Tenor, D3-A4) Blood Brother raised in the upper class by Mrs. Lyons. Grows up with a privileged life due to his foster parents—From his opportunities with education to women.
SAMMY: Male, Plays 7-20’s (Range: Ensemble/Part Flexible) Mickey’s Brother. A bully and bad influence on Mickey. Constantly a trouble maker.
LINDA: Female, Plays 7-20’s (Range: Ensemble/Part Flexible) A lovely girl from the neighborhood. Finds the attention of both Mickey and Edward.
CHORUS
Catalogue Man, Finance Man, Children, Policemen, Neighbours, Wedding Guests, Doleites, Councillors, Nurses, Judge