Ensemble Cast:

10+ Roles (flexible / double-casting possible)

4-6 Men / 4-6 Women, Optional Chorus

Dance Requirements: Minimal

CHARACTER DESCRIPTIONS

PROFESSOR JACKSON (TENOR 2): A well-educated man who has devoted his life to science. He keeps a cool head and provides the voice of reason. He is hesitant to admit his attraction to his graduate assistant due to their age difference and inappropriateness of a work relationship. He makes misogynistic comments, but not purposefully or in a mean-spirited way; he is a product of his time. Early-mid 30s.

STEPHANIE YATES (ALTO/MEZZO SOPRANO): Brilliant but somewhat underappreciated graduate assistant to PROFESSOR JACKSON. She is a highly competent and loyal scientist-in-training. She has a not-so-secret crush on the PROFESSOR, who seems oblivious to her overtures. Mid 20s.

ELIZABETH (ALTO/MEZZO SOPRANO): Recent high school graduate and friend of PENNY. They were probably childhood friends whose circles have grown apart, and PENNY continues to hang out with her due to a mixed sense of obligation and pity. ELIZABETH is the obvious fifth-wheel of the group and often gets taunted by the boys and AMY. She is stuck in her own world and a real “wet blanket.” Late teens.

PENNY (ALTO): The “good-girl” in the group of recent high school graduates. She’s the only one in the group who likes ELIZABETH and invited her along on the trip despite the others’ objections. She attempts to maintain civility between her friend and the others. PENNY is ready to jump into life as a married woman as soon as possible with her boyfriend, GEORGE. Late teens.

GEORGE (TENOR 2): The “Boy Scout” of the group of recent high school graduates. He generally tries to do what is right, sometimes only because his girlfriend, PENNY, will not be happy if he doesn’t. He is reasonably level-headed, resourceful, and inquisitive, and a bit of a “brown-noser.” Late teens.

AMY (ALTO): The “mean girl” of the group of recent high school graduates. She seems upset by the very idea of being seen in the same campsite as someone like ELIZABETH, and often makes that known to the others, including her boyfriend, JONATHAN. She’s a bad-girl in a 1950s suburban teen way. Late teens.

JONATHAN (TENOR/BARITONE): The “not-so-bright guy” of the group of recent high school graduates. He would be voted most likely to make bad life choices. He is a bit of a thrill-seeker, and will do just about anything his girlfriend, AMY, tells him to do in hopes of getting what he wants. Late teens.

LOBO / MONSTER (BARITONE/TENOR): LOBO (aka Michael Kaiser) is a shell-shocked veteran of World War II who unknowingly killed his wife during a period of psychosis. After being released from a mental hospital he moved to the woods to live like a hermit so that he wouldn’t hurt anyone else. He falls into atomic waste and transforms into the MONSTER, a mutated human-algae hybrid. As the MONSTER, he subconsciously retains some of his human qualities. 30s-40s. (May be played by an actor of any gender.)

THE FOLLOWING CHARACTERS MAY BE PLAYED BY INDIVIDUAL ACTORS OR DOUBLE-CAST (PLAYED BY 2 ACTORS) - THEY MAY ALSO BE PLAYED BY ACTORS OF ANY GENDER:

GRUFF (BASS): Jaded blue-collar laborer who has accepted a waste disposal job of questionable legality without second thoughts. An abrasive, no-nonsense curmudgeon channeling the voice of Harvey Fierstein. (May double as GUSTAV.) 30s-60s.

GUSTAV (BASS): An officer of the law who patrols Phantom Lake by canoe with his trusty partner, SVEN. Although he’s cheerful most of the time, when it comes to crime on Phantom Lake, he’s all business. He speaks with a folksy Minnesota accent. (May double as GRUFF.) 30s-60s.

TOADY (BARITONE/TENOR): Younger, spineless laborer who is more hesitant about destroying the environment than his partner, GRUFF. (May double as SVEN.) 30s-60s.

SVEN (BARITONE/TENOR): An officer of the law who patrols Phantom Lake by canoe with his trusty partner, GUSTAV. Although he’s cheerful most of the time, when it comes to crime on Phantom Lake, he’s all business. He speaks with a folksy Minnesota accent. (May double as TOADY.) 30s-60s.

SPOOKY TREE 1 & 2 (BARITONE): They are part of ELIZABETH’s hallucination while she’s lost in the forest by herself. (May be doubled by SVEN and GUSTAV or others.)

RADIO DJ: An early 1960s disc jockey broadcasting on Phantom Lake Radio. (May be doubled in a different voice by SVEN, GUSTAV, etc. and/or pre-recorded.)

CHORUS: A chorus is not necessary, but there are several parts within the music that should be sung at a minimum by offstage cast members.