QUEENIE “MAD WOMAN” MALONE – Matron of the New York State Women’s Penitentiary. The main operative in a black-market baby ring run out of the prison. Strong brash voice. She talks a mean patriotic tune. Dressed in prison blues, night stick, gun belt, key chain and warden’s hat with bright red hair. She calls the inmates her girls. And in return for her favors and her abuse, she convinces her girls to get pregnant while in the poky and to give up their babies. Age range: 40s.
SAMMY “PRETTY BOY” BAMBINO – Handsome hunk of a prizefighter. Big on muscle and short on brains. He is a dupe for “Queenie” and the D.A. and receives payoffs to play stud for the prison baby racket. He’s not too wise on what’s happening. Wears a tank top, suspenders and pleated trousers. A ladies’ man. He’s married to Trixie Callahan. Sammy is also a radio-announcer. Melodic singing voice suited to old-time radio. Age range: late 20s to mid 30s.
MRS. TRIXIE CALLAHAN BAMBINO – Very attractive buxom blonde. She dresses simply and has a very unusual speaking voice almost like Betty Boop. She pushes her newly adopted baby girl around in a baby carriage. She admires Ruby Devine as she has always wanted to be an actress. Madly in love with her husband, Sammy “Pretty Boy” Bambino, she is naive and accepts anything he tells her as gospel truth. Age range: late 20s to early 30s.
GUIDO GRIMALDI – A G-man in disguise as a Catholic nun, Sister Guido Marie Grimaldi. Dressed in old-fashioned nun’s habit. Walks with a cane. Strong Italian accent. Speaks broken English. Wears a shoulder holster under his habit. Age range: 40s to 50s.
BUNNY “BABES” BERINGER – Blonde chorine from Brooklyn. Aspiring actress. Just broke out of the New York State Women’s Penitentiary. Former call girl at Sophie’s Den of Decadence. Bunny claims to be innocent of all crimes except for the crime of passion. She had a child sired by Sammy Bambino while in the pen. She was forced to give up this baby girl that “Queenie” Malone and the D.A. sold to Sammy to take home to his wife. Bunny Beringer plans to kidnap her child tonight. Age range: mid 30s to early 40s.
SOPHIE DAVENPORT – Man dressed as a woman. Brooklyn accent. Formerly the madam of Sophie’s Den of Decadence. She was forced out of business by the Atlantic City D.A. who sent all of her girls, one by one, up the river. The D.A. and “Queenie” had no use for Sophie in the baby scam, therefore, she was never arrested. She is currently employed as a cigarette girl in the Imperial Ballroom. Quick-witted. Age range: 30s to 40s.
MISS RUBY DEVINE – Famous sultry silent screen star. British accent. Since the dawn of talkies her career has quickly faded. In an effort to salvage her career, she is making her debut tonight as a singer. She had latched on to the D.A., who believes that Ruby has a future on Broadway. Despised by Sophie and the girls because of her relationship with the D.A., she is known as “No-talent Devine.” Blonde. Legitimate (operatic) singing voice. Age range: mid to late 40s.
“BABY CAKES” RODRIGUEZ – (Incidental role. Can be played by Stage Manager.) Formerly one of Sophie’s girls. Bunny Beringer’s cohort and best friend. Sharp-tongued brunette. She was in the New York State Women’s Penitentiary for only one year of a triple life sentence for sending two G-men to their heavenly reward. But the F.B.I. arranged a deal for her when “Baby Cakes” turned informant. The D.A. tried to block her parole. Thanks to Sophie, she just got a job as a cocktail waitress in the Imperial Ballroom. No one is aware that she is with child. Age range: 20s to 30s.
And…
“LUCKY” LARRY LAMÉ (This character is never seen. He is only referred to in the show.) – Atlantic City District Attorney. Suave, sleazy, aggressive and debonair. He has a wife, Lucy, and two children, Little Lucy and Larry Jr., at home. He flaunts his accomplishments in the D.A.’s office. He’s known for putting people away for excessively long prison terms. He’s the matron’s partner in the prison baby racket. He sends innocent women to prison on trumped-up charges, and “Queenie” handles the rest of the business. He is Miss Devine’s escort for her special appearance tonight in the Imperial Ballroom. Age range: late 40s to early 50s.