• Mark Cohen, a struggling documentary filmmaker, the narrator of the show. He is Roger and Collins’s roommate until Collins moves out; he is also Maureen’s ex-boyfriend.

• Roger Davis, a once successful, but now, struggling musician. He hopes to write one last meaningful song in his lifetime. He is Mark’s roommate.

• Tom Collins, a computer genius and a teacher; vagabond anarchist. He was formerly a roommate of Roger and Mark.

• Benjamin “Benny” Coffin III, Landlord of Mark, Roger and Mimi’s apartment building and ex-roommate of Mark, Collins, Roger, and Maureen. Now married to Alison Grey of the Westport Greys and is considered a yuppie sell-out by his ex-roommates.

• Joanne Jefferson, an Ivy League-educated public interest lawyer. Joanne has very important parents (one is undergoing confirmation to be a judge, the other is a political figure).

• Angel Dumott Schunard, a drag queen, street percussionist.

• Mimi Márquez, Roger’s love interest. She lives downstairs from Mark and Roger.

• Maureen Johnson, a performance artist; Mark’s ex-girlfriend, and Joanne’s current girlfriend.