The Glue People by Sarah Bierstock

Carolyn Erich is off her rocker. Her dead mother, Grandma, says so herself. Carolyn's very pregnant youngest daughter returns home at Christmas to keep an eye on her, and her siblings join with trepidation. Which version of their mother they will discover is entirely unclear, as one never knows where her mental illness will lead them. One thing is clear: Mom's off her meds and Grandma's ghost isn...
Carolyn Erich is off her rocker. Her dead mother, Grandma, says so herself. Carolyn's very pregnant youngest daughter returns home at Christmas to keep an eye on her, and her siblings join with trepidation. Which version of their mother they will discover is entirely unclear, as one never knows where her mental illness will lead them. One thing is clear: Mom's off her meds and Grandma's ghost isn't leaving anytime soon. The three daughters navigate mom’s idiosyncrasies and outlandish behavior with humor and wit, while attempting to handle their own issues of infidelity, birth and illness.
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The Glue People

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Character Information

5 Women.

  • GRANDMA
    70s-80s
    Matriarch of the family. Born and raised in Burlington, VT. Sharp as a tack, but small minded. Prac,cal, playful, opinionated, and completely inappropriate. She knows no boundaries when it comes to family.
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      60s, 70s+
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      Any race/ethnicity
    • Gender: 
      Female
  • MOM (CAROLYN ERLICH)
    50's-60s
    Mother of SADIE, BECCA and STEPHANIE. She is provincial but also highly intelligent and insighmul. Think Judith Light. She is well travelled, but a true blue Vermonter. A re,red nurse. Mentally and emo,onally erra,c. She is mourning the loss of her mother and needy of her daughters’ affec,on.
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      50s, 60s
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      Any race/ethnicity
    • Gender: 
      Female
  • SADIE
    25-35
    The youngest daughter of the family; in her second trimester of pregnancy. A C-list actor and playwright, has experienced both privilege and great disappointment. She has a an endearing op,mism and spunk that defies all circumstances. The baby of the family- - she’s somewhat spoiled and self involved, but loving, smart, funny, and deeply ironic. She is the glue of the family; the one they pinned their dreams on.
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      20s, 30s
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      Any race/ethnicity
    • Gender: 
      Female
  • BECCA
    40-45
    The middle sister of the family. She is Jewish, spiritual, a vegan, a seeker; has strong convictions and also easily abandons them. A Reiki healer and numerologist. Speaks with a mysteriously foreign accent.
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      30s, 40s
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      Any race/ethnicity
    • Gender: 
      Female
  • STEPHANIE
    45-50
    The eldest sister of the family. She is a lawyer; acerbic, witty, rarely loses control. Perfectly manicured, the perfectionist. Has a great sense of humor. Has recently been through a cancer scare that has rattled her. Think Christine Baranski.
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      30s, 40s, 50s
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      Any race/ethnicity
    • Gender: 
      Female

Development History

  • Reading
    ,
    Neo-Political Cowgirls
    ,
    2021
  • Reading
    ,
    Quarantine Play Readings
    ,
    2020
  • Reading
    ,
    Florida Studio Theater
    ,
    2019
  • Workshop
    ,
    Florida Studio Theater- Playwright's Collective
    ,
    2019
  • Reading
    ,
    Florida Studio Theater
    ,
    2018
  • Workshop
    ,
    Florida Studio Theater- NNPN - Women in Playwriting Festival
    ,
    2018

Production History

  • Professional
    ,
    NeoPolitical Cowgirls- Monologue Online Festival
    ,
    2020