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't leaving...

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

Character Information

5 Women.

  • GRANDMA
    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.
    70s-80s
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      60s,
      70s+
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Female
  • MOM (CAROLYN ERLICH)
    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.
    50's-60s
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      50s,
      60s
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Female
  • SADIE
    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.
    25-35
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      20s,
      30s
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Female
  • BECCA
    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.
    40-45
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      30s,
      40s
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Female
  • STEPHANIE
    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.
    45-50
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      30s,
      40s,
      50s
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Female

Development History

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

Production History

  • Professional, NeoPolitical Cowgirls- Monologue Online Festival, 2020