it in the divorce papers for his mother and father. Al agrees to pay if that's what Edward wants also him and Dagmar split up. In the end everybody goes their separate ways for college. Characters Edward Zanni - The novel's protagonist, a 17-year-old high school senior who dreams of attending Juilliard and is unsure of his sexuality. He spends his time acting, singing, dancing and participating in schemes to come up with the money for college. Kelly Corcoran - Edward's girlfriend and roommate at one point. She is also involved in musical theatre and eventually dates one of Edward's friends. She is relatively experimental with her sexuality. Doug Grabowski - Football player who joins the theatre group and reluctantly befriends the other “theatre kids." He is confident and surprisingly accepting as his friends reveal their darkest secrets to him. He dates Kelly and Paula during the novel. Paula D'Angelo - Edward's best friend, who leaves school a year earlier than him to attend Juilliard. She is wildly eccentric and unique. She is heavy set and makes it a priority to find a boyfriend while away at school. She helps Edward carry out his crazy plans to find money. Natie Nudelman - Edward's friend, a small, nerdy Jewish boy known as “Cheesehead” at school. He is the brains behind Edward's money making schemes. His parents are entirely too trusting, which gives him plenty of room to commit crimes with Edward. Ziba - Edward's friend, a glamorous Persian girl who joins the theatre group. She is much taller than the average girl and is also experimental with her sexuality. Al Zanni - Edward's tough, but ultimately loyal father. He refuses to pay for Edward's college, claiming that acting is a waste of time. He prefers that Edward go into business. Dagmar - Al's Austrian fiancée, whom Edward loathes. She gets caught up in one of Edward's revengeful plots, which ends up costing her a great deal of money. Ted Lucas - Edward's English teacher and drama coach, whom he looks up. He has an awkward run-in with Edward, revealing that he too has confusion surrounding his sexuality. Kathleen Corcoran - Kelly's mother, an alcoholic therapist, who takes Edward in when he runs away from home. She is very supportive of Edward and her own children, although she expresses her support in a rather unorthodox manner. Gloria "Aunt Glo" D'Angelo - Paula's