Everybody In This House

by Laura J. Axelrod

Father O'Donnell turns a deaf ear to Mary Turner's pleas about her marriage. Several weeks later, she is dead. What happened to Mary Turner? He soothes his conscience by visiting the family, only to have his fears justified. He finds the reality of domestic violence and child abuse, and confronts his own powerlessness in the face of evil.

Reviewed by The Stage (Edinburgh, Scotland), this play is called...

Father O'Donnell turns a deaf ear to Mary Turner's pleas about her marriage. Several weeks later, she is dead. What happened to Mary Turner? He soothes his conscience by visiting the family, only to have his fears justified. He finds the reality of domestic violence and child abuse, and confronts his own powerlessness in the face of evil.

Reviewed by The Stage (Edinburgh, Scotland), this play is called "superbly written" and "totally uncompromising."

read more
  • Inquire About Rights
  • Recommend
  • Download
  • Save to Library

Everybody In This House

Character Information

  • John Turner
    A man from the old school.
    Fifties
    Any
    Assigned male at birth
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      50s
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Man
  • Mary Turner
    "Mama." She looks similar to Nina. A woman who is chronically exhausted.
    Late 40s
    Any
    Cis female
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      40s
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Woman
  • Dennis Turner
    A sensitive boy in a man's body.
    Teens
    Any
    Assigned male at birth
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      Teens
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Man
  • Mary Margaret Turner
    Eleven years old with long dark hair. She is petite and speaks well beyond her years.
    Early Teens
    Any
    Cis female
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      Teens
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Woman
  • Terry Turner
    Naturally pretty with long, reddish unstyled hair. She already has a woman's body. Older than Nina.
    Teens
    Any
    Cis female
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      Teens
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Woman
  • Father Joseph O'Donnell
    Catholic priest who has lived by the rule of the church for his entire life. Now he must question how he has lived and preached to others.
    Fifties
    Any
    Assigned male at birth
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      50s
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      White
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Man

Production History

  • Fringe, Edinburgh Fringe Festival, 1998
  • University, Brown Bag Theatre, San Francisco State University, 1998
  • University, City College of San Francisco, 1998

Awards

  • Rod Marriott Senior Playwriting Award
    New York University, Tisch School of the Arts
    1992