“Hollywood Melody of 1933”

Retired African-American entertainer who played stereotypical characters in silent movies and early talkies.

Housekeeper and assistant of a Broadway playwright .

An actual white entertainer from the early 20th Century but portrayed by a black man because the character often appears in blackface. (He also sings as another character, Joe, in one scene. In this audio recording it doesn’t matter but in a later stage show the other characters just think he is in blackface.)

A very aristocratic butler for a movie producer at a Hollywood party. (He also sings as a different character, George, in one scene.)

Blues singer performing at a Hollywood party and in a movie. (She also sings as another character in one scene.)