Saints Go Marching

by Matt Barbot

[FULL LENGTH] Jo's grandfather—a decorated veteran—has died, leaving emotional wreckage and unpaid debts in his wake. As she prepares for the funeral, Jo's heart is set on keeping grandpa's burial flag; to get it, she'll have to deal with her despondent mother, an attempted exorcism, and competition from a secret aunt young enough to be her little sister. It won't be easy, but nothing an aspiring saint like Jo...

[FULL LENGTH] Jo's grandfather—a decorated veteran—has died, leaving emotional wreckage and unpaid debts in his wake. As she prepares for the funeral, Jo's heart is set on keeping grandpa's burial flag; to get it, she'll have to deal with her despondent mother, an attempted exorcism, and competition from a secret aunt young enough to be her little sister. It won't be easy, but nothing an aspiring saint like Jo can't handle.

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Saints Go Marching

Recommended by

  • Cheryl Bear: Saints Go Marching by Matt Barbot
    “

    A moving tale of sorting through the grief and ones family as they move forward in the world. Well done.

    A moving tale of sorting through the grief and ones family as they move forward in the world. Well done.

    ”
  • Nilsa Reyna: Saints Go Marching by Matt Barbot
    “

    This play is part fantasy, but also has a naturalistic, lived-in feel. It welcomed me in and made me feel like a benevolent ghost observing grief. The ending especially charmed me.

    This play is part fantasy, but also has a naturalistic, lived-in feel. It welcomed me in and made me feel like a benevolent ghost observing grief. The ending especially charmed me.

    ”
  • Reuven Isaiah Glezer: Saints Go Marching by Matt Barbot
    “

    Rarely do we get works like SAINTS GO MARCHING - ones that composite grief, ghosts, and getting on with life in such rich tapestries. If only aspirant sainthood applied to theater because I'd call someone up immediately to assign Matt's play such a title. Rich, loving, exceptional.

    Rarely do we get works like SAINTS GO MARCHING - ones that composite grief, ghosts, and getting on with life in such rich tapestries. If only aspirant sainthood applied to theater because I'd call someone up immediately to assign Matt's play such a title. Rich, loving, exceptional.

    ”
View all 9 recommendations

Character Information

  • Jo
    Desperate to test her mettle and get out into the world, whenever she can get the chance.
    30
    Latinx
    woman
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      20s,
      30s,
      40s
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      Latinx/o/a or Hispanic
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Female
  • Miriam
    Jo’s secret aunt; snark compensating for something missing that she can’t quite put her finger on.
    23
    Latinx
    woman
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      20s
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      Latinx/o/a or Hispanic
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Female
  • Nate
    Well-read and tragic, has been holding a candle for Jo since high school.
    Late 20's
    Any
    Man
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      20s,
      30s
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      Asian, Pacific Islander, or Asian American,
      Black, African, Caribbean, or African American,
      Indigenous, First Nation, or Native American,
      Latinx/o/a or Hispanic,
      Middle Eastern, North African, or Arab American,
      Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander,
      South Asian or South Asian American
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Male
  • Dolores
    Jo’s mother, Miriam’s half-sister. Dedicated and fierce.
    50's
    Latinx
    woman
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      40s,
      50s,
      60s
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      Latinx/o/a or Hispanic
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Female
  • Oscar
    Jo’s father, left rudderless in a grief-stricken household.
    50's
    Latinx
    Man
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      50s,
      60s
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      Latinx/o/a or Hispanic
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Male
  • Father Tim
    Youngish for a priest, having difficulty tending his flock.
    30's
    Any
    Man
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      30s,
      40s
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      Asian, Pacific Islander, or Asian American,
      Black, African, Caribbean, or African American,
      Indigenous, First Nation, or Native American,
      Latinx/o/a or Hispanic,
      Middle Eastern, North African, or Arab American,
      Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander,
      South Asian or South Asian American
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Male
  • Ernesto
    Dolores and Miriam’s father, Jo’s grandfather, though he appears as a youngish man; the ghost a hardbitten war veteran with regrets.
    Late 20's, 30's, 40's
    Latinx
    Man
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      20s,
      30s,
      40s
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      Latinx/o/a or Hispanic
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Male
  • Ignacio
    Saint Ignatius Loyola, founder of the Jesuits. Dry wit and mounting impatience. **Played by the actor who plays Father Tim.**
  • St. Joan
    ...of Arc. Brash and precocious with a flair for the dramatic. **Played by the actor who plays Miriam.**
  • Michael
    The archangel who fought the devil and won. Another grizzled army vet; a drill sergeant. **Played by the actor who plays Nate.**

Development History

  • Reading, Piper Theatre, 2020
  • Reading, Teatro Latea, 2020
  • Reading, TuYo Theatre, 2020
  • Reading, Project Y Theatre, 2018
  • Workshop, Columbia University School of the Arts, 2017
  • Reading, The Cherry Lane Theater, 2017

Awards

  • In-Progress New Play Reading Series
    Unicorn Theatre
    Finalist
    2017
  • The Mix
    Steppenwolf
    Selection
    2018