“GRACE”  In her 40’s to early 50’s.  The owner and operator of the cafe.  She lives in an apartment above it.  She is a smart, kind, and nurturing woman with a dry sense of humor.  She enjoys a good laugh but is no nonsense when it comes to running her cafe.  She’s owned the cafe for some time, was once married, and has a yearning for a relationship which creates some loneliness in her life.  Not expecting it, she becomes romantically involved with Carl the bus driver during the bus’s stranded lay over.

“ELMA”  Range between 17 and 25.  A senior in high school and a waitress at the cafe.  She is growing up now and full of curiosity and romance.  She is wide-eyed, naive, innocent, and sincere.  A smart young girl who is sometimes embarrassed but  laughs easily.  She must stand on the counter top and recite Juliet with Dr. Lyman when they do the balcony scene from Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet.

“CARL”   Late 30’s to late 40’s.  The bus driver who’s route stops once a week at the cafe.  A sturdy man and firmly built, full of himself, he likes to crack jokes and likes to laugh.  A little loud at times but full of his responsibility as a bus driver.  Has had his eyes set on Grace for some time now, flirting with her every chance he gets.  He feels the snowstorm tonight has given him the chance he needs to get lucky with her. 

“WILL”  Late 50’s to early 60’s.  He is the town Sheriff, a large and jovial man who knows his place in life and is able to laugh and be at ease with himself and others.  He handles his duties as Sheriff with all the seriousness the job requires.  He watches over Cherie and when “Bo” pushes her too hard and it comes time for Will to confront  the cowboy in a physical altercation, Will is more than capable. 

“CHERIE”  In her mid to late 20’s.  She is a chanteuse or night club singer and dancer.  She is very pretty in a fragile, girlish sort of way, and she is not without talent.  She’s from the Ozarks but has managed to refine her accent a little.  She’s been around the block with her night club escapades but has a soft heart with a real yearning for true romance.  During the play she MUST SING “That Old Black Magic” in her best chanteuse style.  She’s ambivalent about “Bo” and his advances toward her.  He dragged her on the bus in order to marry her and it’s questionable whether or not she really wants to. 

“Dr. LYMAN”   In his 50’s to 60’s.  A scholarly professor who is now on the run from the last University where he taught because of his drinking problem and his penchant for chasing after younger girls.  A rather flamboyant and jovial man, he can laugh easily and at himself.  He’s articulate and recites poetry fluidly and easily.  He does Romeo and Juliet with “Elma”.  Deep within he is flawed and somewhat broken, but in the end comes to an understanding of his flaws.

“Bo”  In his 20’s to 30’s.  He is all cowboy, full of himself, loud, brash, and not willing to listen much to anyone.  He’s coming back from the rodeo where he won several prizes and brags enough to let everyone know it.  He’s in love with “Cherie” but doesn’t have a clue about how to go about romancing a woman.  He just bulls his way ahead thinking she naturally wants to marry him.  He chases her around like one of his prize steers.  She does set him straight however and in the end love triumphs.

“VIRGIL”  In his 40’s to 50’s.  He is a “good old boy”, tall and lanky and a cowboy through and through.  He’s “Bo’s” best friend, sidekick, mentor, nursemaid, and confidant.  He is laid back, easy going, and doesn’t need a lot of words.  He helps “Bo” at every turn.  He CARRIES A GUITAR AND PLAYS a favorite country western tune. He also ACCOMPANIES “Cherie” when she sings “That Old Black Magic”