STRAUSS'S HOUSES

by Jerry Polner

The real estate agent Freddie Strauss, still trying to live down her hard-scrabble youth, tries to put on the right airs to sell million dollar homes to the wealthy young professional set. Her newest customer couple is prepared to buy at the full asking price. But they want a guarantee that the “cultural identity” of the neighborhood – the ancestry, child-rearing, religiosity, and social habits of the...

The real estate agent Freddie Strauss, still trying to live down her hard-scrabble youth, tries to put on the right airs to sell million dollar homes to the wealthy young professional set. Her newest customer couple is prepared to buy at the full asking price. But they want a guarantee that the “cultural identity” of the neighborhood – the ancestry, child-rearing, religiosity, and social habits of the residents – are a good match for their sensitive palates. Freddie reluctantly agrees to carry out this investigation, right up until the community reacts to her probe by vandalizing her car, getting her evicted from her apartment, and pulling her realtor license. Isn’t culture supposed to be a good thing?

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STRAUSS'S HOUSES

Recommended by

  • Anna Tatelman: STRAUSS'S HOUSES

    With biting snark and quick wit, Strauss's Houses examines the idiosyncracies of the middle and upper middle classes through the real estate market, the showmanship of the court of law, and our obsession with minutea like pie crusts. Though this play is a satire, and a brilliant one at that, Jerry Polner also gives his characters a dose of heart and sympathy. A solid piece!

    With biting snark and quick wit, Strauss's Houses examines the idiosyncracies of the middle and upper middle classes through the real estate market, the showmanship of the court of law, and our obsession with minutea like pie crusts. Though this play is a satire, and a brilliant one at that, Jerry Polner also gives his characters a dose of heart and sympathy. A solid piece!

  • Tom Erb: STRAUSS'S HOUSES

    As a former Real Estate Broker, Jerry Polner's "Strauss's Houses" hit home. His satire explores authenticity, cultural values, and the search for a home. The witty dialogue between house-hunting characters and their real estate agent sheds light on our norms and personal aspirations. A delightful blend of humor and conflict drives this engaging story.

    As a former Real Estate Broker, Jerry Polner's "Strauss's Houses" hit home. His satire explores authenticity, cultural values, and the search for a home. The witty dialogue between house-hunting characters and their real estate agent sheds light on our norms and personal aspirations. A delightful blend of humor and conflict drives this engaging story.

Character Information

The play can be performed by a cast of 5, with doubling as indicated below.
These are all universal roles. You are encouraged to cast actors of color for any of them.

***
FREDDIE (woman), about 30
PAOLA / SKY (woman), about 22
DUGAN / ROGER (man), about 25
SHIRLEY / ALICE (woman), about 45
JUNIOR / BARTON (man), about 50
  • Dugan
    Can double as ROGER.
    Character Age
    25
    Character Gender Identity
    Male
  • Roger
    Can double as DUGAN.
    Character Age
    25
    Character Gender Identity
    Male
  • Freddie
    Character Age
    30
    Character Gender Identity
    Female
  • Shirley
    Can double as ALICE.
    Character Age
    45
    Character Gender Identity
    Female
  • Alice
    Can double as SHIRLEY.
    Character Age
    45
    Character Gender Identity
    Female
  • Junior
    Can double as BARTON.
    Character Age
    50
    Character Gender Identity
    Male
  • Barton
    Can double as JUNIOR.
    Character Age
    50
    Character Gender Identity
    Male
  • Paola
    Can double as SKY.
    Character Age
    22
    Character Gender Identity
    Female
  • Sky
    Can double as PAOLA.
    Character Age
    22
    Character Gender Identity
    Female