Character List: Pollyanna

Pollyanna: Vivacious Young Orphan, niece to Miss Polly. Eager, chatterbox, optimist. Demonstrative. Has a range of emotions – usually very upbeat, but also seen sobbing in grief, and despondent after injury. She’s a bit gauche – talks about Aunt Polly being rich, doesn’t have the best table manners…she needs to have little faults and awkwardness to balance her sweetness, or she’ll just be annoying. Good listener, sympathetic.

Appears in – Act 1 – Scenes 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14 Appears in – Act 2 – Scenes 2, 4, 5, 8, 12, Scene 13 (recorded voiceover), 14 Sings in – “With All Our Love,” “Look Out the Window,” “Be Glad,” “Chocolate Fudge

and Fig Cake,” “The Mysterious Bony Surprise,” “Did You Ever?” “Be Glad Reprise,” “A Rainbow in Your Eyes Reprise,” “With All Our Love Reprise,” “I Really Wanted You,” “Finale.”

Aunt Polly: A lonely, spinster. Haughty, stern, cold, stiff, unfeeling (gradually transformed) – Pollyanna’s aunt. Mid-30’s. Pollyanna flusters her – she has to be genuinely surprised and taken aback by her loving behaviour – and gradually that thaws her out – especially after the accident. Still in love with Dr. Chilton, but too proud to help him start seeing her again. Embarrassed and shy about Dr. Chilton when Pollyanna mentions him.

Appears in – Act 1 – Scenes 2, 4, 5, 8, 11, 14 Appears in – Act 2 – Scenes 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 10, 12, 13, 14 Sings in – “Hurry, Nancy! Hurry!” “Chocolate Fudge and Fig-Cake,” “Whatever Does

That Mean?” “Our Moment in Time,” “Hurry, Hurry, Hurry!” and “Finale.”

Nancy: A kindly young servant to Aunt Polly. Cheerful. Not very well-educated. Appears in – Act 1 – Scenes 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 14 Appears in – Act 2 – Scenes 1, 4, 6, 7, 10, 13 Sings in – “Hurry, Nancy! Hurry!” “Look Out the Window,” “Be Glad,” “The

Mysterious Bony Surprise,” “Did You Hear?” “I Wouldn’ta Believe it!” “Hurry, Hurry, Hurry!” and “Finale.”

Mr. Pendleton: A rich, lonely, middle-aged bachelor, once in love with Pollyanna’s mother. Distractable and distant, but actually quite a softie, once he gets over the surprise of being spoken to. He’s very unhappy – Jimmy changes his life. Reclusive – never speaks to anyone. A bit miserly. Believed to be crazy, or to have some mysterious secret. Possibly a writer and a traveller. Bit of a hypochondriac/pessimist in the early stages. Sees himself as a cross, unlovable, unloved old man. He has to just be middle-aged, but he feels old.

Appears in – Act 1 – Scenes 1, 6, 8, 13 Appears in – Act 2 – Scenes 1, 3, 9, 11, 14 Sings in – “Pollyanna,” A Rainbow in Your Eyes,” and “A Rainbow in Your Eyes –

Reprise,” “Did you Hear?” “Life or Death,” “Shout for Joy and Be Glad,” “Pollyanna! Reprise,” and “Finale.”

Dr. Chilton: A well-respected and liked country doctor, once suitor to Aunt Polly. ALWAYS kind, pleasant, gentle, and good-natured. The most steady and positive figure in the play next to

Pollyanna, but in a more laid-back, manly way. He just gets a bit ruffled and uncertain about Aunt Polly. And he hesitates to go to Pollyanna because he’s proud.

Appears in – Act 1 – Scenes 1, (possibly 8 and 12), 13, 14 Appears in – Act 2 – Scenes 9, 12, 13, 14 Sings in – “Pollyanna!” possibly “The Mysterious Bony Surprise,” “Life or Death,” “Our

Moment in Time,” “Hurry, Hurry, Hurry!” “Pollyanna! Reprise” and “Finale.”

Reverend Ford: a forlorn and discouraged pastor, who is encouraged and transformed by Pollyanna. At first, he doesn’t know how to do anything but yell at his congregation – figures that’s the only way he can get their attention, by scaring and condemning them for their failings. But he’s really very gentle, and knows he’s doing it all wrong – so he’s sure he’s a failure.

Appears in – Act 1 – Scenes 1, 8, 12, 14 Appears in – Act 2 – Scenes 1, 6, 11, 14 Sings in – “Pollyanna!” “The Mysterious Bony Surprise,” “What a Fine Day/Be Glad,”

“Did You Hear?” “Shout for Joy and Be Glad,” “Pollyanna Reprise,” and “Finale.”

Mrs. Ford: The wife of Rev. Ford, head of the Ladies Aiders, a bit proud and arrogant, but tries to be gentle. Definitely a bit dismissive of children.

Appears in – Act 1 – Scenes 1, 8, 9, 14 Appears in – Act 2 – Scenes 1, 6, 9, 11, 14 Sings in – “Pollyanna,” “The Mysterious Bony Surprise,” “Did You Ever?” “Did You

Hear?” “Life or Death,” “Shout for Joy and Be Glad,” “Pollyanna Reprise,” and “Finale.”

Jimmy: a lonely, 10-year-old street child looking for a home. Uneducated, rough. Scrawny. Admires Pollyanna greatly (they get married in the future!). Proud and not afraid to stand up to himself. Not a beggar. Bit of a temper. Brave enough to face Aunt Polly to bring Chilton to see Pollyanna.

Appears in – Act 1 – Scenes 1, 8, 10, 14 Appears in – Act 2 – Scenes 1, 6, 9, 10, 11, 14 Sings in – “Pollyanna,” “The Mysterious Bony Surprise,” “Lost and Left Alone,”

**SOLO** “Did You Hear?” “Jimmy’s Plea,” **SOLO** “Shout for Joy and Be Glad,” “Pollyanna Reprise,” and “Finale.”

Mrs. Snow: A cantankerous, bedridden invalid, befriended by Pollyanna. She’s easily won over with a little happiness, though – she just becomes a bit humorously cranky. Dark, curly hair and blue eyes, as described.

Appears in – Act 1 – Scenes 1 (but disguised a bit), 7 Appears in – Act 2 – Scenes 1, 6, 11, and 14 (in a wheelchair). Sings in – “Pollyanna,” “Did You Hear?” “Pollyanna Reprise,” and “Finale.”

Dr. Warren: Aunt Polly’s trusted doctor. Gets into unexplained fist fight with the Conductor Appears in – Act 1 – Scenes 1, 12 Appears in – Act 2 – Scenes 1, 5, 10, 11, 14 Sings in – “Pollyanna,” “What a Fine Day/Be Glad,” “Did You Hear?” “Shout For Joy

and Be Glad,” “Pollyanna Reprise,” and “Finale.”

Millie Snow: Mrs. Snow’s daughter, Ladies Aider, and Choir member. Unkind and doesn’t like kids very much at first. Always gets the solo in the choir – good singer.

Appears in – Act 1 – Scenes 1, 8, 9, 12, 14 Appears in – Act 2 – Scenes 1, 6, 9, 11, 14 Sings in – “Pollyanna,” “The Mysterious Bony Surprise,” “Did You Ever?” “What a Fine

Day/Be Glad,” “Did You Hear?” “Life or Death,” “Shout for Joy and Be Glad,” “Pollyanna Reprise,” and “Finale.”

Window Benton: An elderly Ladies Aider and Choir member. Gossipy. “She sounds like a wounded screech owl.” Takes to wearing a blue scarf in the second act.

Appears in – Act 1 – Scenes 1, 8, 9, 12, 14 Appears in – Act 2 – Scenes 1, 6, 9, 11, 14 Sings in – “Pollyanna,” “The Mysterious Bony Surprise,” “Did You Ever?” “What a Fine

Day/Be Glad,” “Did You Hear?” “Life or Death,” “Shout for Joy and Be Glad,” “Pollyanna Reprise,” and “Finale.”

Mrs. Tarbell: A middle-aged Ladies Aider. Gossipy. Only has daughters, no sons. Doesn’t like boys. Believes she has a hard life, has a small house.

Appears in – Act 1 – Scenes 1, 8, 9, 12, 14 Appears in – Act 2 – Scenes 1, 6, 9, 11, 14 Sings in – “Pollyanna,” “The Mysterious Bony Surprise,” “Did You Ever?” “What a Fine

Day/Be Glad,” “Did You Hear?” “Life or Death,” “Shout for Joy and Be Glad,” “Pollyanna Reprise,” and “Finale.”

Mrs. Tom Payson: A newly-married Ladies Aider. She’s a bit anxious, because her husband doesn’t have a steady job. Even though newly married, she’s not happy before Pollyanna comes in. Was actually considering a divorce – they don’t communicate.

Appears in – Act 1 – Scenes 1, 8, 9, 12, 14 Appears in – Act 2 – Scenes 1, 6, 9, 11, 14 Sings in – “Pollyanna,” “The Mysterious Bony Surprise,” “Did You Ever?” “What a Fine

Day/Be Glad,” “Did You Hear?” “Life or Death,” “Shout for Joy and Be Glad,” “Pollyanna Reprise,” and “Finale.”

Conductor: A very kindly train conductor. Unexplained fist fight with Dr. Warren. Appears in – Act 1 – Scenes 1, 8, 12, 14 Appears in – Act 2 – Scenes 1, 6, 11, 14 Sings in “Pollyanna,” “The Mysterious Bony Surprise,” “Did You Hear?” “Shout for Joy

and Be Glad,” “Pollyanna Reprise,” and “Finale.”

Nora Hunt: A Ladies Aider and Pollyanna’s nurse. Claims she does NOT like gossip – her friends disagree. Capable nurse, calmly reassuring, but gets sentimental near the end of the play.

Appears in – Act 1 – Scenes 1, 8, 9, 12, 14 Appears in – Act 2 – Scenes 2, 5, 11, 14 Sings in “Pollyanna,” “The Mysterious Bony Surprise,” “Did you Hear?” “What a Fine

Day/Be Glad,” “Shout for Joy and Be Glad,” “Pollyanna Reprise,” and “Finale.”

Hattie Smith: A Middle-Aged Woman, Ladies Aider, and Housekeeper for Mr. Pendleton. She has eight children. Believes she is a wonderful singer with a three-octave range.

Appears in – Act 1 – Scenes 1, 8, 9, 12, 13, 14 Appears in – Act 2 – Scenes 1, 6, 9, 11, 14 Sings in – “Pollyanna,” “The Mysterious Bony Surprise,” “Did You Ever?” “What a Fine

Day/Be Glad,” “Did You Hear?” “Life or Death,” “Shout for Joy and Be Glad,” “Pollyanna Reprise,” and “Finale.”

Dr. Mead: A medical specialist from New York. Pretty blunt, but not unkind. Appears in – Act 2 – Scene 5

***NOTE: This actor CAN be added to other Townspeople scenes in “disguise.”

Extra Ladies Aiders and Townspeople – for all crowd scenes (limited in Act 1, Scene 8 and Act 2, scene 9) – lines can be added

JUNIORS:

Town Children *** Eight of these kids need to be Hattie Smith’s and should stick near herAppear in Act 1 – Scenes 1, 8, 12, 14Appear in Act 2 – Scenes 1, 11, 14

Rainbow DancersAppear in Act 1 – Scene 13Appear in Act 2 – Scene 14