diff --git a/screenplain/parsers/fountain.py b/screenplain/parsers/fountain.py
index 587eadc..d004d48 100644
--- a/screenplain/parsers/fountain.py
+++ b/screenplain/parsers/fountain.py
@@ -27,8 +27,10 @@
 title_page_key_re = re.compile(r'([^:]+):\s*(.*)')
 title_page_value_re = re.compile(r'(?:\s{3,}|\t)(.+)')
 
+character_re = re.compile(
+    r"^[^a-z]*[A-Z][^a-z]*([ \t]*\(.*\))?$"
+)
 centered_re = re.compile(r'\s*>\s*(.*?)\s*<\s*$')
-dual_dialog_re = re.compile(r'^(.+?)(\s*\^)$')
 slug_re = re.compile(r'(?:(\.)(?=[^.])\s*)?(\S.*?)\s*$')
 scene_number_re = re.compile(r'(.*?)\s*(?:#([\w\-.]+)#)\s*$')
 section_re = re.compile(r'^(#{1,6})\s*([^#].*)$')
@@ -134,14 +136,15 @@ def append_dialog(self, paragraphs):
             return False
         if character.startswith('@') and len(character) >= 2:
             character = character[1:]
-        elif not character.isupper():
+        elif not character_re.match(character):
             return False
 
         if paragraphs and isinstance(paragraphs[-1], Dialog):
-            dual_match = dual_dialog_re.match(character)
+            dual_match = character.rstrip().endswith('^')
             if dual_match:
+                character = character.rstrip()[:-1]  # remove the caret
                 previous = paragraphs.pop()
-                dialog = self._create_dialog(dual_match.group(1))
+                dialog = self._create_dialog(character)
                 paragraphs.append(DualDialog(previous, dialog))
                 return True
 
diff --git a/tests/files/dialogue-parentheticals.fountain b/tests/files/dialogue-parentheticals.fountain
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..54fa5c3
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/files/dialogue-parentheticals.fountain
@@ -0,0 +1,5 @@
+GIRL
+Let me tell you something.
+
+      GUY (On the phone)
+  I don't wanna.
diff --git a/tests/files/dialogue-parentheticals.fountain.html b/tests/files/dialogue-parentheticals.fountain.html
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..1d50f65
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/files/dialogue-parentheticals.fountain.html
@@ -0,0 +1,2 @@
+<div class="dialog"><p class="character">GIRL</p><p>Let me tell you something.</p></div>
+<div class="dialog"><p class="character">GUY (On the phone)</p><p>I don't wanna.</p></div>