ELLERY by Jennifer O'Grady

Bechdel Group Selection / Included in THE BEST WOMEN'S STAGE MONOLOGUES

(Full length) Becca hates her psychic abilities, and is being haunted by her dead but still-critical mother and dead grandmother, for reasons none of them understands. When a dead young woman appears and pleads confusingly for help, Becca turns away--but unwittingly gives her best friend the chance to pursue a dangerous...
Bechdel Group Selection / Included in THE BEST WOMEN'S STAGE MONOLOGUES

(Full length) Becca hates her psychic abilities, and is being haunted by her dead but still-critical mother and dead grandmother, for reasons none of them understands. When a dead young woman appears and pleads confusingly for help, Becca turns away--but unwittingly gives her best friend the chance to pursue a dangerous course that could harm Becca and another living woman. Mom Linda and Grandma Ida see and come to the rescue, but can ghosts help? A play about living responsibly and being different. (Play 2 in The Ghost Trilogy of standalone plays)
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ELLERY

Recommended by

  • Jacquelyn Floyd-Priskorn:
    6 Dec. 2020
    “ This is a great paranormal, mystery that had me leaning in and eager to see what happened next! The characters are all very likeable and well developed. Many strong roles for female-identifying actors of all ages! Designers will have a blast creating theatrical magic. I truly enjoyed this piece! ”
  • Christine Foster:
    23 Apr. 2020
    “ Entertaining and clever with strong (intergenerational) parts for women - crafted and plotted with skill, suspense, irony, and great dialogue. And it's about the supernatural and life and death and philosophy and relationships and all sorts of things that matter. ”
  • Emily Hageman:
    23 Jul. 2018
    “ O'Grady has a gift for writing unique plays that celebrate the strengths of women. Ellery is a PHENOMENAL show for actresses--and for any audience and director and designer! It's creative and unique and heartfelt and very funny. What I really like about O'Grady's plays is that they celebrate the beautiful things in the world even while paying attention to the dark things. O'Grady also really has a gift for writing pretty dream male characters who aren't threatened by the successful women they adore. Another strong showing from O'Grady here--check it out! ”

Character Information

Roles for 5W (late teens to 70s), 1M (20s). THE GIRL is silent and uses mime throughout.

  • Becca
    24
    A sensitive (can see and hear dead people).
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      20s
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      Any race/ethnicity
    • Gender: 
      Female
  • Linda
    52
    Her mother. Dead.
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      50s
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      Any race/ethnicity
    • Gender: 
      Female
  • Ida
    76
    Her grandmother. Dead.
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      70s+
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      Any race/ethnicity
    • Gender: 
      Female
  • Liesel
    25
    Her friend.
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      20s
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      Any race/ethnicity
    • Gender: 
      Female
  • Dominic
    26
    A police officer.
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      20s, 30s
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      Any race/ethnicity
    • Gender: 
      Male
  • The Girl
    Late teens.
    Dead. Wet hair and clothing.
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      Teens, 20s
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      Any race/ethnicity
    • Gender: 
      Female

Development History

  • Reading
    ,
    The Bechdel Group
    ,
    2019

Awards

Selection
,
The Bechdel Group
,
2019
Selection
,
The Best Women's Stage Monologues
,
Smith and Kraus
,
2017
Shortlist
,
Gulfshore Playhouse