The Front Page is a fast-paced comedy set in the corrupt and chaotic world of 1920s journalism. A star Chicago newspaper reporter, Hildy Johnson, is about to quit his job and marry, but is pulled back into the newsroom by his manipulative editor, Walter Burns, to cover the story of a condemned anarchist’s escape.

CAST OF CHARACTERS

HILDEBRAND “HILDY” JOHNSON (Herald-Examiner) Top reporter for the Examiner; extremely confident. He’s ready to quit the newspaper business to get married until he stumbles upon a great break in the Earl Williams story, allowing him an exclusive. 

WALTER BURNS Hildy's boss at the Examiner; cold, calculating boss of the paper to include breaking the law; desperate to keep his star reporter; he will go to any lengths to entice Hildy to stay; able to talk himself out of trouble. 

EARL WILLIAMS A convicted murder who escapes from jail; simple and naive; actor would need to be comfortable being confined in a small space. 

SHERIFF HARTMAN The sheriff in charge of the search for Earl Williams; bumbling and inefficient. He’s eager to gain popularity from the hanging of Williams; an overall blundering fool. 

THE MAYOR A city official who is caught in the events of the play; corrupt as usual. 

PEGGY GRANT The strong and popular fiancé to Hildy; ready to settle down and tries to maintain control over her beau in direct conflict with Mr. Burns’ plans for Hildy. 

MRS. GRANT The mother of Hildy’s fiancé and skeptical his commitment to the upcoming marriage; reveals key information about the murder suspect. 

ROY BENSINGER (Chicago Tribune): A neat freak, and especially protective of his desk area. He is the owner of the big, ornate desk; Williams hides inside of it.

MOLLIE MALLOY Lady of the night who has befriended the convicted Earl Williams. She’s led a hard life and finds comfort in her relationship with Williams. She is a tough cookie who does not respect the reporters, newspapers or authority much since the system always let’s her down. 

ENDICOTT (Post) A police reporter for the Post. Recently married and inclined to complain about the job. 

MURPHY (Journal) Hardest of the hardboiled. 

MCCUE “MAC”(City Press) Fairly new to the press room, and has been put on fielding the local precincts for news to chase for all the reporters. He is good on the phone, charming and seems to have the connections. 

SCHWARTZ (Daily News) Has chronically sick wife and two kids who live with his sister. 

KRUGER (Journal of Commerce) Singer who fiddles with a banjo, but does have talent to play & sing. 

MRS. SCHLOSSER The long-suffering wife of a reporter, Herman, who works for the Examiner.

WOODENSHOES EICHHORN More engaged with the reporters than most of the local police; he is regarded as inept and slow, and often dismissed by the reporters despite his study of psychology. 

DIAMOND LOUIE A local thug who works as a circulation manager at the paper; ex-gangster in Burns' employ.

JENNIE Cleaning lady for the municipal building who is sweet, hardworking, woman; she thinks the reporters aren’t very nice people. 

MR. PINCUS A hapless messenger. 

CARL A deputy; chorus on the Sheriff’s staff. 

FRANK A deputy; chorus on the Sheriff’s staff. 

POLICEMEN (at least 2) Chorus on the Sheriff’s staff.