Only Child

by Aaron Ricciardi

In a landscape of distorted and fractured memories, a teenage prince meets Jess, a lonely schoolteacher, and becomes ensnared in her marriage, her family, and her fantasies. Boundaries fall away, and childhood is stolen—from The Prince, from Jess’s daughter, and from the students who came before.

In a landscape of distorted and fractured memories, a teenage prince meets Jess, a lonely schoolteacher, and becomes ensnared in her marriage, her family, and her fantasies. Boundaries fall away, and childhood is stolen—from The Prince, from Jess’s daughter, and from the students who came before.

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Only Child

Recommended by

  • Samantha Marchant: Only Child by Aaron Ricciardi
    “

    The doubling of characters is so well done. The threat of what these relationships actually are is always bubbling at the surface making some great tension.

    The doubling of characters is so well done. The threat of what these relationships actually are is always bubbling at the surface making some great tension.

    ”
  • Cary Simowitz: Only Child by Aaron Ricciardi
    “

    This play was deeply illuminating, in a variety of respects. I applaud Mr. Ricciardi for telling this particular story, and will keep a curious eye on its continuing theatrical development.

    This play was deeply illuminating, in a variety of respects. I applaud Mr. Ricciardi for telling this particular story, and will keep a curious eye on its continuing theatrical development.

    ”
  • Cheryl Bear: Only Child by Aaron Ricciardi
    “

    A fascinating exploration as lives merge and rich relationships are formed sparking self examination as history is investigated. Well done.

    A fascinating exploration as lives merge and rich relationships are formed sparking self examination as history is investigated. Well done.

    ”

Character Information

This play is performed by four actors, who play the following roles:
Actor 1 plays Jess.
Actor 2 plays Pat.
Actor 3 plays The Prince and Scott.
Actor 4 plays Abbi and Mom.
  • Abbi
    female
    ranges from infant to prepubescent
    Pat’s and Jess’s daughter
    wears kid clothes, which are not unlike the PJs of a home-bound cancer patient
    has a sweet, fragile laugh
    (played by an actress in her fifties or sixties, which at times is kind of ridiculous)
    fifties/sixties
    Any
    female or female-identifying
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      50s,
      60s
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Female
  • The Prince
    male
    Jess’s student
    wears a crown, until he doesn’t.
    bites his nails
    (played by an actor who looks to be a teenager)
    looks to be a teenager
    Any
    Male or male-identifying
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      Teens
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Male
  • Scott
    male
    a teenager
    Jess’s student
    Wears Abercrombie-type clothes and doesn’t wear a crown
    bites his nails
    (played by the actor who plays The Prince)
    looks to be a teenager
    Any
    Male or male-identifying
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      Teens,
      20s
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Male
  • Mom
    female
    fifties/sixties
    Jess’s mom, Pat’s mother-in-law
    wears the PJs of a home-bound cancer patient, which are not unlike kid clothes
    has a fuckin’ great smoker’s laugh
    (played by the actor who plays Abbi)
    fifties/sixties
    Any
    female or female-identifying
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      50s,
      60s,
      70s+
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Female
  • Jess
    female
    thirties/forties
    Pat’s wife/owner
    uses her lips a lot: purses, licks, bites, pouts, kissy faces, chews her cheeks
    feels a bit like a faded movie star – delusions of grandeur and glamour
    thirties/forties
    Any
    female or female-identifying
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      30s,
      40s
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Female,
      Non-binary
  • Pat
    male
    thirties/forties
    Jess’s husband/puppy dog
    smiley
    thirties/forties
    Any
    Male or male-identifying
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      30s,
      40s
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Male,
      Non-binary

Production History

  • University, Indiana University, 2019