ROSEMARY

by James O'Connor

We see the world of Rosemary, the eldest daughter, and the third of nine children, and her tragedy, which unfolded in secret, and which preceded her family’s ascent to the fame and heartbreak witnessed by the world. The time period is 1936 to the recent past.

Rosemary struggles with her father for respect and understanding. Her self-control, intellect, and social skills clash with those of her graceful...

We see the world of Rosemary, the eldest daughter, and the third of nine children, and her tragedy, which unfolded in secret, and which preceded her family’s ascent to the fame and heartbreak witnessed by the world. The time period is 1936 to the recent past.

Rosemary struggles with her father for respect and understanding. Her self-control, intellect, and social skills clash with those of her graceful siblings, Joe, Jr., Kathleen, and Jack, and her father sees her outbursts as a threat to the well-being of the family. He arranges a lobotomy, which renders her infantile and helpless. In the world of the play, however, she soars as a Kennedy exemplar, and is able to confront her father on common ground after he suffers a debilitating stroke.

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ROSEMARY

Recommended by

  • Lisa Dellagiarino Feriend: ROSEMARY by James O'Connor
    “

    This play is wonderful. "Rosemary" is about Rosemary Kennedy and the first of the tragedies to befall the children of Joe and Rose Kennedy. It is told in such a brilliant way, and so theatrically. I thoroughly enjoyed every page!

    This play is wonderful. "Rosemary" is about Rosemary Kennedy and the first of the tragedies to befall the children of Joe and Rose Kennedy. It is told in such a brilliant way, and so theatrically. I thoroughly enjoyed every page!

    ”

Character Information

The Joe, Jr., Jack, Kathleen, and Rose actors double at times, for single scenes where they play: physicians, nurses, companions to Rosemary, and her fellow patients in long-term care.

ROSEMARY is based upon the published record, and the history of the Kennedy family. This is a sort of pre-history of the family we are familiar with from the 1960's and beyond. Thus it is free from the obligation to duplicate that imagery, as we see attempted in some film projects.

Since ROSEMARY portrays real people, the ethnic and gender descriptions are narrow. But open casting can be considered as a worthwhile option in the appropriate circumstances.
  • Rosemary Kennedy
    Brief: ROSEMARY is attractive and curious, a little different from the rest of the family.

    Full: Rosemary is 17; sly, quiet, curious, gentle, elusive, and shy. She is attractive, with a winning smile and a haunted quality that sets her apart. She is dyslexic, slow to mature, slow as a child, and sheltered by her mother. She is limited and peculiar in her intellectual and emotional capacity but has the personality and support to appear perfectly "normal" much of the time. Tutored specially to keep pace for school subjects, she nonetheless
    cannot master simple physical tasks. She needs help, which is given freely within her family, but she is unable to
    compete in the races, golf and tennis matches that bond her brothers and sisters in a constant cycle of aggressive play. She is thus "special," and isolated within the family. Her own private worlds are far more developed than her social skills.

    17 - 44
    White
    Female
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      30s
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      White
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Woman
  • Joseph P. Kennedy
    JOE is mercurial and dominant. He rules the family, and is their fierce promoter and protector, despite his frequent absences.
    48 - 75
    White
    Male
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      40s,
      50s
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      White
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Man
  • Rose Kennedy
    ROSE is cool and distant, a loner. Catholicism is her refuge from the stresses of child-rearing and the marriage.
    46 - 73
    White
    Female
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      40s,
      50s
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      White
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Woman
  • John F. Kennedy
    JACK is warm and engaging; he has a skeptical, antic humor.
    19 - 46
    White
    Male
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      20s,
      30s
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      White
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Man
  • Joseph Kennedy, Jr.
    JOE, JR.,is athletic, serious, a leader and Joe's surrogate.
    21 - 29
    White
    Male
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      20s
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      White
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Man
  • Kathleen Kennedy
    KATHLEEN is the life of any party, a bright flame.
    16 - 28
    White
    Female
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      20s,
      30s
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      White
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Woman

Development History

  • Workshop, Actors Studio, 2006
  • Reading, Irish Rep, NYC, 2005
  • Workshop, Capital Rep, Albany, 2003
  • Workshop, National New Play Network "New Play 2000", 2000
  • Reading, Abingdon Theatre, NYC, 1997

Production History

  • Professional, InterAct Theatre, 2003

Awards

  • Joseph Jefferson Citation "Outstanding New Work"
    Joseph Jefferson Committee
    Winner
    2002