The Gantry sisters somehow managed to survive a youth pockmarked with poverty and emotional abuse at the hands of a deeply ill mother. Returning home to be together at their mother’s deathbed, it's the first time all six women have been in the same house in years. The experience unearths old grudges, reveals new secrets, and confronts them with the question: Is shared trauma a strong enough bond to hold their family together?
Recommend
Download
Save to Reading List
THE GANTRY GIRLS
Recommended by
Cheryl Bear:
29 Jan. 2021
“
A spectacular, authentic portrait of a family that goes to the heart of the trauma and the bonds that unite these women. Well done. ”
Molly Wagner:
29 May. 2020
“
Great roles for actresses, each returning to their childhood home and mother with their own baggage. These sisters don't demand any pity from the audience, which is refreshing given the heavy subject matter that reunited them. As they discuss the past and the present we understand why they stayed apart, and why they came back together. ”
Heather Helinsky:
1 May. 2016
“
This play delivers a good emotional suckerpunch...or at the very least, a metaphorical bloody nose! Yes, there are family dramas aplenty set when a parental figure is dying, but this character-driven story about six half-sisters gathered together in their rural home one last time is fun, gritty, and tense. Would hate to see a story with six prime roles for actresses sit on the sidelines for too long---give it a chance, these characters are ready to get in the ring and duke it out about about family secrets and sisterhood. ”
The ages of the characters can be adjusted a few years younger or older, as long as the age difference between individual characters remains relatively consistent.
As these women are half-sisters, please feel free to cast diversely in terms of race and physical appearance.
Auggie
early 40s,
Female or Non-binary
the oldest; real name August; caretaker of their mother; accountant; likes to be in charge
Can be played by:
Age:
30s, 40s
Race/Ethnicity:
Any race/ethnicity
Gender:
Female, Non-binary
Ember
late 30s,
Female
the second-oldest; real name September; housewife married to a used car dealership owner; willing to sacrifice
Can be played by:
Age:
20s, 30s, 40s
Race/Ethnicity:
Any race/ethnicity
Gender:
Female
April
mid 30s,
Female or Non-binary
the third-oldest; also called Ape; bouncer; MMA fighter; able to take a beating
Can be played by:
Age:
20s, 30s
Race/Ethnicity:
Any race/ethnicity
Gender:
Female, Non-binary
Jan
early 30s,
Female
fourth-oldest; real name January; elementary school teacher; willing to pick a fight
Can be played by:
Age:
20s, 30s
Race/Ethnicity:
Any race/ethnicity
Gender:
Female
May
early 30s,
Female or Non-binary
second-youngest; also called Mayfly; tattoos, piercings, bold hair choices; burlesque performer and model; refuses to be the shy one anymore
Can be played by:
Age:
20s, 30s
Race/Ethnicity:
Any race/ethnicity
Gender:
Female, Non-binary
Junebug
late-20s,
Female
the youngest; real name June; drifter, singer; spends most of her time alone; a little too much like her mother