Hellmouth

by Joe Zarrow

Hellmouth: A Neo-Medieval Pageant Play about the 1980s Satanic Panic

A rebellious carnival barker must confront demons of trauma, memory, and belief when her overbearing evangelical mother interrupts her 1980s Satanic Panic pageant.

Hellmouth: A Neo-Medieval Pageant Play about the 1980s Satanic Panic

A rebellious carnival barker must confront demons of trauma, memory, and belief when her overbearing evangelical mother interrupts her 1980s Satanic Panic pageant.

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Hellmouth

Recommended by

  • Cheryl Bear: Hellmouth by Joe Zarrow
    “

    A moving look at overcoming trauma and finding one's own voice as they grapple with what they've been taught. Well done.

    A moving look at overcoming trauma and finding one's own voice as they grapple with what they've been taught. Well done.

    ”

Character Information

BARKER 30ish, femme. She runs the show.
MOM 50s/60s, femme. Barker's mom.
THE DEMONS The ensemble. They wear unitards or something equally ridiculous and easily transformed. Could be played by anybody. They play all the characters in the various playlets.
BEELZEBUB plays JACK, DR. PAZDER, MR. BOSS, AMAZON PRIME, FATHER, and JUDGE.
ASMODEUS plays HELLMOUTH, BOOT, TAPE RECORDER, FAITH, CHILD, and WITNESS.
MOLOCH plays WARREN WEBBER, MICHELLE, TOYOTACOROLLA, and PROSECUTOR
All 3 voice OGRE together.
  • Barker
    30ish
    Femme
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      20s,
      30s
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Female
  • Mom
    50s/60s
    White
    Femme
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      50s,
      60s
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      White
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Female
  • Asmodeus
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      20s,
      30s,
      40s,
      50s,
      60s,
      70s+
  • Beelzebub
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      20s,
      30s,
      40s,
      50s,
      60s,
      70s+
  • Moloch
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      20s,
      30s,
      40s,
      50s,
      60s,
      70s+

Development History

  • Residency, Invulnerable Nothings Barn Lab, 2022
  • Workshop, Jackalope Playwrights Lab, 2021