The Human Comedy

THE HUMAN COMEDY is based on the novel by William Saroyan. Set in warfront America 1942, this coming-of-age tale tells the story of Homer Macaulay, a 15-year-old boy who delivers telegrams at night to make money for his family. During the course of three days, Homer grows from an idealistic boy to a mature young man as he struggles with the unfairness of the world around him and the pain of families to whom he...

THE HUMAN COMEDY is based on the novel by William Saroyan. Set in warfront America 1942, this coming-of-age tale tells the story of Homer Macaulay, a 15-year-old boy who delivers telegrams at night to make money for his family. During the course of three days, Homer grows from an idealistic boy to a mature young man as he struggles with the unfairness of the world around him and the pain of families to whom he delivers the War Department’s death notices. But in the midst of the decaying idealism of small town America, and the loneliness of growing up, Homer finds hope in humanity through Mr. Grogan, the old alcoholic telegrapher and Mr. Spangler, the manager of the telegraph office who becomes a father-figure. In these men, Homer learns to see the goodness in people no matter how desperate or broken they may be. He also finds the true meaning of home.
THE HUMAN COMEDY marries the simplicity of OUR TOWN and the theatricality of PETER AND THE STARCATCHER with an ensemble of 12 actors and 1 child playing 28 roles, (8m, 4w, 1 child) utilizing a minimal set and ensemble storytelling. In the end, it is a timeless American tale that celebrates our common decency. In our present society that is so divisive, THE HUMAN COMEDY has a lot to show us about our humanity and the important things that bring us together.

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The Human Comedy

MATTHEW MACAULEY: 50, A terrific storyteller. A spirit.
HOMER MACAULEY: 14 or 15 year old telegram messenger
ULYSSES MACAULEY: Homer's brother, age 7
WILLIE GROGAN: 67 year old telegrapher (Black or white)
ENSEMBLE OF 9 ACTORS PLAY MULTIPLE ROLES - Suggested Combinations
Actor 1: TOM SPANGLER - STUDENT - JOE HIGGINS (Black or White)
Actor 2: HOBO - SAM WASHINGTON - FAT
Actor 3: HUBERT ACKLEY - MARCUS MACAULEY - SAILOR
Actor 4: COACH BYFIELD - MR. COVINGTON - TEXAS
Actor 5: HENRY - JOSEPH BACA - TOBEY GEORGE
Actor 6: MISS HICKS - MRS. SANDOVAL - MRS. ELIOT
Actor 7: MARY ARENA - HELEN ELIOT - DIANA STEED
Actor 8: BESS MACAULEY - AUGGIE - GIRL IN SLIP
Actor 9: KATIE MACAULEY - PRINCIPAL EK
An ensemble of 9 actors play the following characters...
HOBO: any age - optimistic even in his circumstances
TOM SPANGLER: Late 30's, telegraph office manager - empathetic
HENRY: 20's, a desperate young man down on his luck
BESS MACAULEY: Homer's sister, 17, striving for independence
MRS. MACAULEY: Homer's mother 45 years old, wise and strong
MARY ARENA: Girl next door - innocent of the world, 17 years old
MISS HICKS: 70's, Ancient History teacher, caring, inspirational
JOSEPH BACA: 15, Mexican class clown
SAM WASHINGTON: 15, black, athlete, loyal
HUBERT ACKLEY III: 15, stuck up rich kid
HELEN ELIOT: 15, Pretty, smart, a snob - Homer is in love with her
PRINCIPAL EK: 40's, serious no nonsense woman
COACH BYFIELD: 30's, a prideful racist liar
AUGGIE TOMBAZIAN: 11 year old hard working paper boy
MARCUS MACAULEY: 22, a leader, strong, steady.
TOBEY GEORGE: 21, a soldier, loves to sing, looking for home
MRS. SANDOVAL: late 30's, Mexican widow who suffers great loss
MR. COVINGTON: 30's, runs the sporting goods store, a salesman
FAT: 20, Black soldier on leave - charming - a talker
TEXAS: 20, Latino soldier on leave - can take charge when needed
DIANA STEED: 20's, beautiful, larger than life, self-assured
JOE HIGGINS: 30's, a soldier, a beast of a guy
MRS. ELIOT: 40's, wealthy, classy, Helen's mother
GIRL IN A SLIP: 18, a prostitute who needs help.