While this story is based on actual history, the authors encourage a diversity of race, ethnic background, gender, physical type, and ability in casting. No need to cast any part on a gender/ethnic/racial basis. Any actor can play any role.  For instance, in a high school production, a teenage female played Kirby, and in a Seattle production of the show the female actress playing Roz doubled as Simon. 

Kirby is always played by one actor, but this story has a large ensemble that can double based on production needs. 

If using five actors, the double casting here reflects the ensemble doubling in the original NYC production. Doubling can happen as the theater sees fit, though we encourage keeping the doubling of Stan and the fan at the end of the piece. In a larger production, roles can be unpacked for any number of actors. For possible ensemble breakdowns, see the script.

Conceptually, for a high school production, the role of Kirby could also be played by (or passed along to) several actors. Please contact Uproar for permission in this case.

Other than Kirby himself, who is on stage for most of the show, the many other characters are played by ensemble members.  


A NOTE ON CASTING

Gruff, streetwise artist of Austrian-Jewish parents from the Lower East Side of Manhattan. An incredible combination of inner-city toughness and transcendental, cosmic dreamer. The play tracks his life literally from the age of 8 to 80. 

JACK KIRBY

First Jack’s protegee, then, later, his boss, then, even later, his nemesis. Bombastic and melodramatic, born to be a media darling. Begins the play at 16, ends at 60. 

STAN LEE aka STANLEY LEIBER

Jack’s artistic partner through the first part of his career. Practical to a fault, he is the cynical voice-of-reason to Jack’s tendency of day-dreaming. Jack sees comics as a calling; Joe sees comics as a job. The big brother in their friendship.

JOE SIMON

Another tough Jewish Brooklynite, fiercely protective of her husband. In many ways a much bigger fighter than he is. Next to the phrase “Doesn’t suffer fools gladly” in the dictionary is Roz’s picture.

ROSALINE “ROZ” KIRBY

One actor plays a revolving door of business-savvy, tyrannical, and just plain bizarre owners of comic book publishers in the mid-1940s. 

The primary actors will likely double up in numerous smaller roles, delineated in the script breakdown, depending on company size. 


“THE BOSSES”

Crank callers, soldiers, secretaries, animators, spacemen, union organizers, radio announcers, and more.

THE ENSEMBLE

Original Underscoring and Sound Effects

King Kirby

“King Kirby” traces the creative and business ups and down of a great comic book artist, Jack Kirby.

The Amazing Adventures of Pencil Man

Who could guess that a play about the life of the renowned comic book artist, Jack Kirby (August 28, 1917 – February 6, 1994), would be filled with so much humor, pathos and fact-dropping narrative? The play, written by comic book artist Fred Van Lente and playwright Crystal Skillman, is so new, its Kickstarter page […]

Review: ‘King Kirby’ at Off the Quill, Performing at Greenbelt Arts Center

A portrait of Jack Kirby, one of the most influential artists in the history of comic books, “King Kirby” runs through Jan. 23 at Ballard Underground.

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This is a must-see production, even if you’re not a fan of comic book heroes or the box office blockbusters they now command.

Review: King Kirby captures sad tale of comic book genius

A huge part of Kirby's legacy was diversity in comic books — a fight that's still being fought today.

X-Men creator Jack Kirby was the original comic book social justice warrior

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Festival Cut

Squeaky Clean

The incredible and tragic story of the Jewish-American artist behind the Marvel Universe.