STRAUSS'S HOUSES

by Jerry Polner

The real estate agent Freddie Strauss, still trying to live down her hard-scrabble youth, tries to put on the right airs to sell million dollar homes to the wealthy young professional set. Her newest customer couple is prepared to buy at the full asking price. But they want a guarantee that the “cultural identity” of the neighborhood – the ancestry, child-rearing, religiosity, and social habits of the...

The real estate agent Freddie Strauss, still trying to live down her hard-scrabble youth, tries to put on the right airs to sell million dollar homes to the wealthy young professional set. Her newest customer couple is prepared to buy at the full asking price. But they want a guarantee that the “cultural identity” of the neighborhood – the ancestry, child-rearing, religiosity, and social habits of the residents – are a good match for their sensitive palates. Freddie reluctantly agrees to carry out this investigation, right up until the community reacts to her probe by vandalizing her car, getting her evicted from her apartment, and pulling her realtor license. Isn’t culture supposed to be a good thing?

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STRAUSS'S HOUSES

Recommended by

  • Anna Tatelman: STRAUSS'S HOUSES by Jerry Polner
    “

    With biting snark and quick wit, Strauss's Houses examines the idiosyncracies of the middle and upper middle classes through the real estate market, the showmanship of the court of law, and our obsession with minutea like pie crusts. Though this play is a satire, and a brilliant one at that, Jerry Polner also gives his characters a dose of heart and sympathy. A solid piece!

    With biting snark and quick wit, Strauss's Houses examines the idiosyncracies of the middle and upper middle classes through the real estate market, the showmanship of the court of law, and our obsession with minutea like pie crusts. Though this play is a satire, and a brilliant one at that, Jerry Polner also gives his characters a dose of heart and sympathy. A solid piece!

    ”
  • Tom Erb: STRAUSS'S HOUSES by Jerry Polner
    “

    As a former Real Estate Broker, Jerry Polner's "Strauss's Houses" hit home. His satire explores authenticity, cultural values, and the search for a home. The witty dialogue between house-hunting characters and their real estate agent sheds light on our norms and personal aspirations. A delightful blend of humor and conflict drives this engaging story.

    As a former Real Estate Broker, Jerry Polner's "Strauss's Houses" hit home. His satire explores authenticity, cultural values, and the search for a home. The witty dialogue between house-hunting characters and their real estate agent sheds light on our norms and personal aspirations. A delightful blend of humor and conflict drives this engaging story.

    ”

Character Information

The play can be performed by a cast of 5, with doubling as indicated below.
These are all universal roles. You are encouraged to cast actors of color for any of them.

***
FREDDIE (woman), about 30
PAOLA / SKY (woman), about 22
DUGAN / ROGER (man), about 25
SHIRLEY / ALICE (woman), about 45
JUNIOR / BARTON (man), about 50
  • Junior
    Can double as BARTON.
    50
    Male
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      50s
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Male
  • Barton
    Can double as JUNIOR.
    50
    Male
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      50s
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Male
  • Paola
    Can double as SKY.
    22
    Female
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      20s,
      30s
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Female
  • Sky
    Can double as PAOLA.
    22
    Female
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      20s,
      30s
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Female
  • Dugan
    Can double as ROGER.
    25
    Male
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      20s,
      30s
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Male
  • Roger
    Can double as DUGAN.
    25
    Male
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      20s,
      30s
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Male
  • Freddie
    30
    Female
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      30s,
      40s
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Female
  • Shirley
    Can double as ALICE.
    45
    Female
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      40s,
      50s
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Female
  • Alice
    Can double as SHIRLEY.
    45
    Female
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      40s,
      50s
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Female