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5 or 6 women (Cleta Sue can double as Parsley)
5 or 6 men (Mature William can double as Prof. Burris)
Cleta Sue, Young Mary’s friend who plays cupid to Mary and William.Young Mary, A sophisticated town girl who falls in love with a country preacher from a hell-fire and brim-stone tradition.
Mature Mary, A wiser, but still sophisticated lady who learned many interesting, sometimes harsh lessons, but who comes to call the Redwine Circuit, “The Homeplace of My Heart.”
Young William, A country preacher who falls for a city girl of a different religious background that proves to be challenging when he takes her to the Redwine Circuit to live.
Mature William, older William who helps set the stage with his memories that contrast to Mature Mary’s.
Davy Dyer, the blacksmith and county’s only infidel who attends the Redwine church for the music, but finds it necessary to keep his brown jug near by.
Sister Meadows, the watchdog of the Redwine community, who is certain of God’s orders and with “pharisaical doggedness, proceeds to carry them out...”
Jimmy Meadows, Sister Meadows’ caring, independent son who falls in love with Paisley, an outcast of the community.
Paisley Conner, who in the past “had a baby born in sin” that died shortly after coming into it’s poor, fatherless, unforgiving world. Paisley’s goodness and repentance brought her little favor with the Redwine folks.
Glory White, level-headed, loving, tolerant, “Not perfect mind you, but a fine, ‘normal’ Christian,” she tells Mary, “Whatever that means!”
Sam White, Glory’s husband, a pillar of the church with the most sensitive conscience; “afraid of what he might do to shake loose the foundation he had built and like most of us, afraid to live and afraid to die.”
Prof. Burris, the Singing School Master, who conducts a Sacred Harp Singing School; then later entertains the theatre attendees in a fun time of audience participation.
