As a tornado threatens to tear the town apart, Hannah finds herself to be an unexpected guest in Doug and Vivian’s basement refuge. It’s 1965, and civil rights meet civil war as the trio struggle to survive this shelter from the storm.
NOTE: 2020 Premiere at Phoenix Theatre in San Francisco was postponed due to the coronavirus.
The younger version of Vivian is written to be played by the same actor.
The character of Al is written as a double for the actor playing Doug.
However, the casting choice can be made to add a younger actor for the young version of Vivian, and a young actor for the role of Al.
Vivian Smiley
42,
White
,
Female
Housewife, ex-Mennonite. White, forty-two years old, and one scene at the age of eighteen. Can be doubled, or cast as two separate roles.
Can be played by:
Age:
Teens, 20s, 40s
Race/Ethnicity:
White
Gender:
Female
Hannah Jackson
48,
African American / Black
,
Female
Junior college instructor. Black, forty-eight years old.
Can be played by:
Age:
40s, 50s
Race/Ethnicity:
Black, African, Caribbean, or African American
Gender:
Female
Doug Smiley
42,
White
,
Male
Vivian's husband. Sells insurance, likes to talk.
Can be played by:
Age:
40s
Race/Ethnicity:
White
Gender:
Male
Al Smiley, Jr.
19,
White
,
Male
Doug's deceased older brother, at the age of nineteen. Always wears his high school letter jacket. Can be played by the actor playing Doug, or as a separate role.
Can be played by:
Age:
Teens, 20s
Race/Ethnicity:
White
Gender:
Male
Announcer/Newsman
Male
Voice-over of radio announcer or newsman, to sound like a radio announcer from the era.