Up the Ladder, Down the Slide

by David Valdes

Old friends Laurel, Karen, and Oscar meet for cocktails each week as a safe harbor when they find themselves all at once in the crux of the "sandwich generation," parenting their own declining parents. Laurel's live-in dad has had Alzheimer's for years, while Karen's mom is newly diagnosed with dementia, and Oscar's mom is in hospice. Their bonds are tested by the unpredictable roller coaster of grief, hope...

Old friends Laurel, Karen, and Oscar meet for cocktails each week as a safe harbor when they find themselves all at once in the crux of the "sandwich generation," parenting their own declining parents. Laurel's live-in dad has had Alzheimer's for years, while Karen's mom is newly diagnosed with dementia, and Oscar's mom is in hospice. Their bonds are tested by the unpredictable roller coaster of grief, hope, anger, humor, shame, and an endless quest for "one last good day." The play mixes raw portraits of their lives with magical elements and features a POC and LGBT cast. 2019 National Showcase of New Plays.

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Up the Ladder, Down the Slide

Recommended by

  • Cheryl Bear: Up the Ladder, Down the Slide by David Valdes
    “

    A powerful look at family, care taking and loss. Moving and well done.

    A powerful look at family, care taking and loss. Moving and well done.

    ”
  • National New Play Network: Up the Ladder, Down the Slide by David Valdes
    “

    Up The Ladder, Down The Slide by David Valdes was featured in NNPN's 2019 National Showcase of New Plays.

    Up The Ladder, Down The Slide by David Valdes was featured in NNPN's 2019 National Showcase of New Plays.

    ”
  • Sammy Pontello: Up the Ladder, Down the Slide by David Valdes
    “

    I was lucky enough to see the reading at the Orlando Shakes and was absolutely floored by this play. Grateful to have the opportunity to read it here now, and there isn't a person alive I don't think wouldn't find at least one moment of grace, of worth, in this. A very real look at families and all of the kinds of grief - and love, and life - contained within them.

    I was lucky enough to see the reading at the Orlando Shakes and was absolutely floored by this play. Grateful to have the opportunity to read it here now, and there isn't a person alive I don't think wouldn't find at least one moment of grace, of worth, in this. A very real look at families and all of the kinds of grief - and love, and life - contained within them.

    ”
View all 4 recommendations

Character Information

The play is written for 8 with one actor playing Lonnie/Mike/Barback. Those roles could be split into three or two (one actor playing Lonnie, one playing Mike/Barback).
  • Laurel
    40's-50's
    African American
    Female-identifying
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      40s,
      50s
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      Black, African, Caribbean, or African American
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Female
  • Karen
    40s-50s
    Asian American
    Female-identifying
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      40s,
      50s,
      60s
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      Asian, Pacific Islander, or Asian American
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Female
  • Oscar
    Oscar is Latinx, born and raised in the US, no (or very little) accent.
    40s-50s
    Latinx
    Male Identifying
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      40s,
      50s
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      Latinx/o/a or Hispanic
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Male
  • The Commodore
    80s
    African American
    Cisgender Male
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      70s+
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      Black, African, Caribbean, or African American
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Male
  • JoAnn
    JoAnn has lived in the US her whole life, daughter of immigrants, with perfect English
    Late 60s-70s
    Asian American
    Cisgender Female
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      60s,
      70s+
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      Asian, Pacific Islander, or Asian American
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Female
  • Mamita
    Mamita speaks fluent English and Spanish alike; a daughter of immigrants, she was raised here
    69
    Latina
    Female
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      60s,
      70s+
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      Latinx/o/a or Hispanic
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Female
  • Vee
    Vee may be the same ethnicity as Karen, mixed, or any race if played as adopted.
    20s or early 30s
    Asian American (or,
    Any
    Female-identifying
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      20s,
      30s
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Female
  • Lonnie
    Lonnie also plays Mike and Barback, all genderqueer or gender nonconfirming but using male or neutral pronouns. Pronouns may be he or they depending on the performer cast.
    20s-30s
    Any
    gender non-conforming
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      20s,
      30s
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Non-binary

Development History

  • Workshop, Orlando Shakes, 2019
  • Reading, Keegan Theatre, Boiler Room Series, 2018

Awards

  • Ashland New Plays Festival
    Finalist
    2019
  • Eugene O’Neill Center National Playwrights Conference
    O’Neill Center
    Finalist
    2019
  • Artist Fellowship
    Massachusetts Cultural Council
    Finalist
    2019