“SAM HARVEY” played by Robert W. Evans

Fresh-faced and hopeful, Sam just wants to sing and play music. He has talent, but he also has the worst case of stage fright you’ve ever seen. His voice crAcKs, he forgets lyrics, he strums sour notes. And when the nerves get really bad, he compulsively twists an old friendship bracelet he wears on his wrist. From the moment Sam stumbles into the Throne Room, he’s desperate to leave. If he’s brave enough to play his song well, he just might find a way to free himself – and others too.

“ISABEL” played by Talia Steinberg

Isabel is the Throne Room’s coffee girl who makes disdain look chic. She hates listening to the open mic performers, so she keeps her ears plugged with broken headphones – even static is better than their off-key warbling. Oddly, Isabel can’t remember ever being anywhere else; no one knows what landed her behind this coffee counter. She’s intrigued by newcomer Sam, who might just become her first friend if she lets him.

“PAPA JOE” played by Bill Suplee

Papa Joe is the omniscient owner of The Throne Room Café. He’s the ringleader of this circus, but no one has ever heard him play a tune or divulge a single detail about his past. Nonetheless, he is the gatekeeper who decides when the musicians have done their time and earned a flush back to the real world.

“MADAME BOA” played by Damara Reilly

Madame Boa is the eccentric feather-clad queen of the Throne Room – she’s been here the longest, second only to Papa Joe. She’s a true professional, an old Hollywood icon whose dedication to her craft is unmatched – at least in her opinion. Because of their secret personal history, Madame Boa and Papa Joe have a tempestuous relationship. She complains often that he keeps her here unjustly, but in truth she wouldn’t leave even if she could. The Throne Room is her home, and the show must go on.

“JENNY” played by Tracey Leigh

Jenny is afraid of sounding completely unoriginal. She spends most of her time composing the perfectly unique song, certain that this is her only ticket out of the Throne Room. Though she’s a kind soul, she spends the rest of her time dodging her devoted admirer, Milton, who suffocates her with gifts and songs to prove his love.

“KURT” played by Mario Sellitti

Kurt’s done 15 years on the throne, and legend has it that he’s the reincarnation of a has-been rocker who just can’t seem to quit the Throne Room habit. Before wandering into the café, Kurt was a bum-turned-entrepreneur who made a killing off his dating website for homeless people. He’s a sensitive soul who seeks only peace and happiness. But you’d never guess that from his uncontrollably demonic vocal melodies.

“MILTON” played by Andy Prescott

Milton is the only regular who actually savors the soup du jour. It inspires him to write an entire notebook of songs. The only thing Milton loves more than soup is…Jenny. He loves her a lot. Mixed tapes a lot. Bathroom stall style graffiti a lot. He once managed to escape from the Throne Room, but girls on the outside just couldn’t compare. So he came back for round two, completely unaware that his behavior might strike some critics as stalker-esque.

“MELODY” played by Rose Bae

Melody is a Southern belle who grew up traveling the beauty pageant circuit. She has an amazing voice, a love of country music, and a good pair of dancing boots. She enjoys being one of the most legitimately talented singers in the Throne Room, but she’s afraid of true success. Offstage, she hides behind her charm and hospitality.

“MAYA” played by Lynnix Elishaw

Maya is a new-age hippie who channels the different energies of the universe. She takes herself and her spiritual forces very seriously -- sometimes speaking in tongues and uttering pieces of wisdom that no one is able to appreciate. Offstage, she keeps to herself, preferring peace and quiet to chatting with the other performers.

“CELESTE” played by Missy Hairston

Celeste is a fortune-teller from New Orleans. She’s obsessed with the future, but none of her predictions ever seem to come true. Nevertheless, she believes very strongly in her clairvoyance. She’s never had her own fortune told, afraid of what she might learn. Offstage, Celeste tries to convince her peers that she’s the one who controls their destiny – not that fraud Papa Joe.

“JONATHAN” played by Sean Hill

Jonathan is a spoken-word poet who seeks true love and performs under the pseudonym, “Aphrodite’s Admirer.” His optimism and ability to appreciate beauty strike some of his fellow performers as insincere, but he means everything he says in his eloquent poems. Secretly though, he wonders if he’ll ever find the love that he writes about, and suspects it might not live up to his romantic words.

“EDWARD” played by Chris Pentzell

A successful Wall Street banker before the crash, Edward is accustomed to the protocols of a sophisticated lifestyle. No one from his circle of friends and family knows that he spends his newfound free time performing dirty rap songs with his sock-puppet alter-ego. Is the crass, crude version of Edward the real one? He’s afraid to find out.

“SANJAY aka ANTONIO” played by Anup Sugunan

Since a young age, Sanjay has dealt with ethnic identity issues. Fascinated by Mexican culture, he convinces himself that he’s descended from the ancient Mayas. He forces everyone to call him Antonio, performs exclusively Mariachi music, and has been struggling for years to complete the perfect Mariachi ballad. He believes he needs to finish this song in order to leave the Throne Room, but perhaps instead he should accept his own family’s traditions.

“ROHAN” played by Krishnan Unnikrishnan

The fashion-forward Rohan has a gift for R&B. He constantly seeks validation from his peers in the audience, because he can’t decide for himself what he wants to be. This manifests in his singing style – he never commits to a note for fear of ruling out other good possibilities. Rohan is eager to please everyone, and won’t accept that this may not be possible. He’s afraid of being misunderstood – join the club.