←Recommendations of Karlie's Jitters (Monologue)

A dark, haunting, and compelling portrayal of intergenerational trauma. For Karlie, it's not complicated: She won't forgive her mother's past abuse and neglect. Her fiancé and his own mom, red flags flapping, press Karlie to forgive and invite Mother to the upcoming wedding. Girl, run! This powerful and complex monologue, with emotions burbling above and below the surface, will make an incredible audition piece.

Paul Donnelly once again shows his prowess at monologue writing. In this instance the story is told in great depth but with masterful brevity. The subject matters covered are many and various and the genres line up alongside each other - how does the writer pack the page with so much content and pack a punch with such great material?

It’s okay to hate your mother.

Trust me.

it’s okay not to forgive her… to cut her out of your fucking life.

What’s not okay… what’s aboslutley unacceptable… is denying someone their anger at being hurt.

What’s not okay is to respond so someone’s rage with, “You have to forgive her. She’s the only mother you’ve got.”

So, I’m Team Karlie.

Donnelly paints a vivid portrait of the scorched earth of intergenerational abuse. Not only the pain but the pragmatic self-preservation. When joy isn’t worth the risk.

A gut-punch.

A compelling monologue full of dark honesty and raw emotion!

Wow, Karlie packs a punch, and literally, I feel, given the chance.
I applaud Paul for this gritty monologue, for he has chosen not to allow his protagonist love for her mother after a lifetime of physical and verbal abuse. How can there still be love?
This would make an excellent, unique, audition piece.

This monologue is haunting. The listener feels Karlie's pain right to their very core. Too many years of abuse and embarrassment would turn anyone hard. I wouldn't forgive the mother for that kind of behavior.

This monologue is haunting. The listener feels Karlie's pain right to their very core. Too many years of abuse and embarrassment would turn anyone hard. I wouldn't forgive the mother for that kind of behavior.

Karlie has been hardened by a lifetime of pain. Yet somehow she has found love. Now, it is clear the next step is to find trust. Trust in herself and a willingness to be vulnerable to new potential pain. Karlie has strong, harsh and yet earned words for her mother. But, the softness is there. And the actor who performs this piece will have fun chipping through these layers!

A vivid, painful, and unblinkingly honest piece that pulls no punches and burns with raw emotion and lived-in trama.

The unpleasant truth of a tumultuous relationship interfering with marital bliss is well captured in this monologue of a bride-to-be. Well done.