IN A HOUSE THAT JACK BUILT

by Brigitte Viellieu-Davis

Rewrite 8.15.20 [FULL LENGTH] With humor, heart, and a touch of the supernatural, IN A HOUSE THAT JACK BUILT tells the story of Joan & John, a long married couple who have come back to his Annapolis ancestral home to clear out the remnants of his recently deceased parents. But when Hurricane Norma heads for the coast, family secrets and the forces of tradition threaten to blow the couple apart. They find...

Rewrite 8.15.20 [FULL LENGTH] With humor, heart, and a touch of the supernatural, IN A HOUSE THAT JACK BUILT tells the story of Joan & John, a long married couple who have come back to his Annapolis ancestral home to clear out the remnants of his recently deceased parents. But when Hurricane Norma heads for the coast, family secrets and the forces of tradition threaten to blow the couple apart. They find themselves struggling to survive the storms of middle age, long-told lies, and regret. A contemporary drama about legacy, forgiveness, and the price we pay for following all the rules.

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IN A HOUSE THAT JACK BUILT

Recommended by

  • Cheryl Bear: IN A HOUSE THAT JACK BUILT by Brigitte Viellieu-Davis
    “

    We have everything figured out until we start uncovering family secrets. A storm's brewing, but Mother Goose, an ancestor of the family, is watching and has some magic to send their way. Questions arise and what's truly important is uncovered. Imaginative and very well done!

    We have everything figured out until we start uncovering family secrets. A storm's brewing, but Mother Goose, an ancestor of the family, is watching and has some magic to send their way. Questions arise and what's truly important is uncovered. Imaginative and very well done!

    ”
  • Unicorn Theatre: IN A HOUSE THAT JACK BUILT by Brigitte Viellieu-Davis
    “

    This play was a SEMIFINALIST for the 2019-2020 In-Progress New Play Reading Series at Unicorn Theatre in Kansas City, Missouri. It is our pleasure to support IN A HOUSE THAT JACK BUILT.

    This play was a SEMIFINALIST for the 2019-2020 In-Progress New Play Reading Series at Unicorn Theatre in Kansas City, Missouri. It is our pleasure to support IN A HOUSE THAT JACK BUILT.

    ”

Character Information

  • Joan Maver
    Third generation Italian American – dark hair, olive skin. A touch of the bohemian. A struggling writer – jaded but hopeful. Married to JOHN for 25 years.
    49
    Italian American
    Female
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      40s,
      50s
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      Latinx/o/a or Hispanic,
      Middle Eastern, North African, or Arab American,
      White
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Female
  • John Moyelle
    East Coast conservative/preppy, but liberalized by 20 years in NYC. Looks as at home in a suit, as he does in jeans and a flannel. His silvering hair makes him look almost presidential. Married to JOAN for 25 years. Recently orphaned.
    50
    White
    Male
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      50s
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      White
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Male
  • Mother Goose
    Resembles the classic children’s book cover. A Welsh woman from the 1600’s. She is a survivor – fierce, unsentimental, crass and dogged. Sings.
    50-70
    White
    Female
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      50s,
      60s,
      70s+
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      White
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Female
  • Beverly Simpson (formerly Moyelle)
    JOHN’s aunt. An Annapolis country club native. Overly tennis tanned and no stranger to a gin and tonic. BEV is sharp-tongued and wearily bitter, but always up for a party.
    79
    White
    Female
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      60s,
      70s+
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      White
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Female
  • Kevin Simpson
    AUNT BEV’s son and JOHN’s first cousin. A WASPy lawyer who has never left Annapolis, he is the kind of entitled guy who ruled his high school.
    46
    White
    Male
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      30s,
      40s,
      50s
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      White
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Male
  • Barbry Allen
    A local Annapolis girl dying for adventure. She is pretty, wide-eyed and feisty.
    28
    Any (but probably white)
    Female
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      20s
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      Latinx/o/a or Hispanic,
      Middle Eastern, North African, or Arab American,
      White
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Female

Development History

  • Reading, Ensemble Studio Theatre MemberFest, 2018
  • Reading, Ensemble Studio Theatre Playwrights Unit, 2017

Awards