On the Razzle
Directed by Tom Woldt

by Tom Stoppard

DIRECTOR’S CHARACTER NOTES/COMMENTS

Male
Weinberl: Likable (working-class) chief-whirligig of the comic antics through-out the play. Over-estimates his own
achievements…but not his potential. Quick thinker with a quick tongue. From a long line of comic “clever servant”
characters in the comic genre.

*Christopher: Weinberl's (periodically) wide-eyed young assistant. Has dreams for himself, but is also an adventure
seeker with little prodding. Sometimes has his own ideas about what being “on the razzle” means, but
mostly wonders, “Is the city always like this, Mr. Weinberl?”

Sonders: The handsome but possibly-slightly-too-slippery love interest of Zangler's niece and ward, Marie. Zangler
doesn't trust him. We might or might not understand why.

Zangler: Bombastic, blow-hard, butcher of produce and language, frequent gasket-blower-which reduces his speaking
and listening skills, romance seen as more of a business transaction than as a mystery of the heart. But also….somehow likeable,
periodically sympathetic, successful merchant. And wealthy….thanks entirely to his own hard work.

#A Foreigner: A middle-management-type lawyer or accountant or banker who bears the “big news” but lacks the savvy
or social skills to get it delivered properly. And the right language.

Melchior: The always-self-interested itinerate deal-maker. A salesman. Whatever you're buying, he's selling. Probably
“wanted” by authorities in every county—or country, but a chameleon and a survivor-by-wit-and-manipulation. But always
“well-liked”...(“He was such a friendly fellow…”)

#Hupfer: The local tailor. Although he is the best in Zangler's world (for the money!), everything about him is slightly
overdone and…too tight (his goods as well as all his sphincters.)

#Coachman: From Stoppard: “Large…immensely cloaked…wearing a tall hat….carries a whip. . . . Evidently has two
personalities, one for sexual interests and one for everything else.”

#Waiter 1: Has adopted all the attitudes, skills and opinions of a long-time server. May or may not be “Italian,”
but shows himself to be because it's the flair expected by the current management.

#Waiter 2: A guy doing a job the best he can. From the realist school of waitron service—“I'll work hard, try to attend to
your needs, but I'm neither capable of nor interested in putting on all the fru-fru….”

*Ragamuffin: The cycle begins again…at the end. The new Christopher.

Female
Marie: The beautiful but over-protected niece and ward of Zangler. Believes true love is….true love. Sonders is her
first “boy-man.” Not as dim as Zangler thinks she is. But as naïve as we think she is.

#Gertrud: The cranky spinster housekeeper who has learned all the tricks for tolerating Zangler through her many years in his employ.
Hears what she chooses to hear.

#Philippine: One of the three “girls who work upstairs” in Madame Knorr's “haute couture house catering to the beau monde.”
Might be an innocent young apprentice type. Or not.

Madame Knorr: Successful milliner who treats her customers well and provides excellent service and goods. Has not been as
successful in romance, partly because of her industrious attention to her work and partly because…well….successful business-women
in 19th century Austria would require a certain kind of mate, of which very few are available. Is coming to realize that there is more
to life than fabric and measuring tapes and her clock is ticking—but make no mistake, she is no old maid….she is
vivacious, fun-loving and will attend to a life partner with the same care as she has her business.

Frau Fischer: The smart, quick-witted, attractive friend of M. Knorr who, by walking a different path in her life, has been able
to refine her social skills and her understanding of how romance works with a keen and mischievous eye. She has her own
interests, but also remains true to and concerned about her old friend M. Knorr….and sometimes is required to run some
interference for her. Literally and figuratively.

#Fraulein Blumenblatt: Most people have a crazy old aunt who loves them unconditionally, but also is forgetful, talks in circles,
has a sense of humor and adventure (sometimes unknowingly), is not afraid to boss people around or tell her young friends
and relatives what they should do or decide. This is she. With a parrot that may or may not actually be speaking to her. What
people might call “kooky.”

#Lisette: At first glance, the typical “French Maid”….but when observed more closely, reveals that the takes crap from no one,
does what F. Blumenblatt (or anyone else) tells her when it suits her—and ignores the rest. Saucy and intrigued by (some) young men,
but can cut people off like a sharp knife if she is a) not interested or b) uncertain, deep down, what to do next.

*-May be cast with male OR female actors (“pants” roles.)
#-Will likely also take ensemble roles.

Ensemble
Lightning (the HORSE—2 strong people,) Zangler’s singing sextet, Waiters, “German Couple,” “Scottish Couple,”
Parade People ("watchers" and/or "paraders"), Dancing Couples (Waltz), Customers (Zangler's Shop, Restaurant, Knorr's Shop)