April Showers

A weary, talented vaudeville performer and devoted father, Joe carries the pride and pressure of keeping his family’s act afloat. He oscillates between a desire for independence and the need to rely on others, especially his wife and son. His struggle to provide for the family drives some of the conflicts, but his love for Buster and June anchors his decisions. In the climax, he fights to protect his son and repair the broken bond with June.

A capable and nurturing performer who once worked with Billy, June anchors the family’s emotional core. She values stability and is wary of Billy’s intrusion, prioritizing her child and marriage as much as the act. Her ambivalence towards Billy strains the relationships, but she remains central to the act’s revival and the family’s reconciliation. She ultimately reaffirms her partnership with Joe and Buster.

The teenage talent of the act, Buster brings energy and cleverness to the troupe. He navigates adult conflicts with maturity beyond his years, often acting as the catalyst for change. His loyalty to his family and his instinct to keep the act alive drive several key plot moments. He is the emotional bridge between Joe and June and the spark that inspires the final revival.

A skilled but ambitious performer who enters the act as a rival to Joe, stirring jealousy and ambition. He resents and challenges Joe’s leadership, and his presence unsettles the family dynamic. Billy’s manipulation and bravado push the plot toward conflict, but his actions ultimately collide with the family’s drive to stay united. He serves as the foil that forces the Tyme family to confront its vulnerabilities.