Sandcastles

by Lauren Davenport

When the Great Atlantic hurricane of 1944 passed over Cape May, New Jersey, it took more than the roof of Julie’s home. Ruby, a war journalist recently fired from her job in Philadelphia, comes down to help an old… friend. And Frankie loses his emotional mooring when a chance meeting with Erik elicits something other than hate.

When the Great Atlantic hurricane of 1944 passed over Cape May, New Jersey, it took more than the roof of Julie’s home. Ruby, a war journalist recently fired from her job in Philadelphia, comes down to help an old… friend. And Frankie loses his emotional mooring when a chance meeting with Erik elicits something other than hate.

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Sandcastles

Recommended by

  • Mike Solomonson: Sandcastles by Lauren Davenport
    “

    Using a hurricane that devastated New Jersey’s coast in 1944, Davenport creates war-weary characters that we care about. Their striving for a secure permanence, however, seems as elusive as the play’s title. Like many of the best historical dramas, we realize the playwright isn’t so much exploring the past as she is our present, or, as one character states: the “two Americas.” By the end, we recognize these characters, like ourselves, are products of a cultural schizophrenia who are forced to decide which America they will defend and who are the enemies to be destroyed. An enthusiastic...

    Using a hurricane that devastated New Jersey’s coast in 1944, Davenport creates war-weary characters that we care about. Their striving for a secure permanence, however, seems as elusive as the play’s title. Like many of the best historical dramas, we realize the playwright isn’t so much exploring the past as she is our present, or, as one character states: the “two Americas.” By the end, we recognize these characters, like ourselves, are products of a cultural schizophrenia who are forced to decide which America they will defend and who are the enemies to be destroyed. An enthusiastic recommendation!

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    ”

Character Information

  • Jimmy
    A US Navy soldier & Julie’s late husband. He’s a lockbox for secrets, including his own that Julie never had the key to.
    30
    Male
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      20s,
      30s,
      40s
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Man
  • Gerald
    An Army prison guard who isn’t one to mix his job with his extracurriculars - unless it’s the right person.
    40
    Male
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      30s,
      40s
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Man
  • Erik
    A White German Nazi prisoner of war.
    30
    White
    Male
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      20s,
      30s,
      40s
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      White
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Man
  • Frankie
    A domestic journalist based out of Philadelphia whose job is on the line for his liberal ideals. He’s Ruby’s husband of convenience.
    35
    Male
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      30s,
      40s
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Man
  • Ruby
    A war journalist whose self-confidence is a guiding light, even through the dangers of war. Her sense of invincibility inevitably starts to show some cracks. She’s Frankie’s wife of convenience and an old/new again flame of Julie.
    30
    Female
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      20s,
      30s,
      40s
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Woman
  • Julie
    A war widow. The only thing she has left of her late husband Jimmy, is the house they bought and fixed up before Mother Nature came along and wrecked it.
    30
    Female
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      20s,
      30s,
      40s
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Woman

Awards