An aspiring teenaged pop songwriter who becomes the quintessential singer/songwriter and undisputed pop star in her own right. Appealing, funny and vulnerable, a girl from a Jewish family in Brooklyn who against all odds makes a splash as a musical prodigy at 16. A reluctant star with no pretense and a passion for music who became the voice of a generation of young women.

Carole’s boyfriend, songwriting partner and eventual husband. Exceptionally charming and innately sympathetic, wounded and tortured. An ambitious artist always striving for more. Gerry has many powerful scenes that give insight into the mental illness that plagued him his whole life.

A new lyricist who quickly becomes Carole’s best friend and eventually Barry’s romantic interest. Sophisticated, smart and chic with a quick wit, as contemporary as Carole is old-fashioned. Self-confident and sarcastic, and extremely likeable.

A fellow composer at 1650 Broadway who becomes good friends with Gerry and Carole and romantically involved with his lyricist Cynthia Weil. Good natured, appealing, competitive, ambitious and very neurotic, but genuinely likeable.

One of the most influential music publishers and producers of the era. A fast-talking, energetic force of nature. Powerful, direct and sometimes intimidating, but with a real affinity for his writers and artists. There is a great deal of footage of the real man online, and his vocal inflections and syntax are unmistakable.

Carole’s Jewish mother. Once an aspiring playwright, broken down by life and her husband’s infidelity. Protective of Carole and unforgiving of her husband’s mistakes, she is a strong guiding force and a reliable shoulder.

Strong pop belt altos who can hold a solo harmony line, and good movers in that elegant, enchanting girl-group manner. They also play additional roles throughout.

The lead singer and spokesperson of the Shirelles. Strong and confident about her group’s sound and style, and very vocal in transforming material to fit that image.

Based on pop singer Jeannie Reavis of The Cookies. Beautiful, elegant and exceptionally talented, her star quality catches Gerry’s discerning ear and wandering eye. Delivers the Act One showstopper. Also plays a Shirelle.

The Goffins’ teenaged babysitter who ends up being the prodigy who sings their attempt at the dance-song craze. A strong singer, talented beyond her years. Also plays a Shirelle.

A local New York artist in the smoky basement club scene. Also the fourth Shirelle.

Four strong singers who can carry their own line of four-part harmony, comprised of strong pop tenors and a strong bass. Good movers who can execute guy-group choreography of the day, in the vein of The Temptations and the Four Tops.

One half of The Righteous Brothers.

One half of The Righteous Brothers.

Another artist and mistress of Gerry’s, based on singer Marilyn Powell, the first woman to record a Beatles cover at the age of 15.

Contemporary singer-songwriter of the day, who happened to have once dated Carole in high school, and wrote a song about it.

One of the best-selling teen idols of the day.

The legendary Los Angeles music executive who produced Carole’s Grammy-winning album Tapestry.

A club musician who admires Carole’s talent and has a romantic interest in her after her separation.

Don Kirshner’s secretary.

Carole’s childhood friend.

Contemporaries on the music scene, friends, musicians at recording studios and clubs, and fellow songwriters at 1650 Broadway. Some also recreate pop icons of the day performing the hits of Goffin, King, Weil and Mann.