THE VICTORY GARDEN PLAYS
by Tara Meddaugh
SIDES
CASTING BREAKDOWN with SIDES
RUBY (8-12, F) A spirited girl, appointed leader of the apartment building victory garden. She grows anxious as she realizes disease has struck her vegetables, the war may not be won after all, and her father may never return home.
SIDES FOR YOUNG RUBY AND MILLIE
MILLIE (15-20, F) Jaded by the losses she has experienced during the war, and the increase of her responsibilities taking care of the household. At the same time, relishing in the world of dancing, boys, being young and alive. She may be annoyed with her little sister at times, but also protects and comforts her.
SIDES FOR YOUNG RUBY AND YOUNG MILLIE
RUTH (20s, F) Strong, organized, generous, maintaining an upbeat appearance of a traditional wife who gives back to her community. Underneath, however, she harbors the knowledge that she cannot have children, and must finally reveal this secret to her husband.
SIDES FOR RUTH
HARRY ( 20s, M) A seemingly cheerful husband, but who harbors the guilt of not being able to fight in the war like many others. When his wife reveals a disappointing secret, his bitterness takes the forefront.
SIDES FOR HARRY
GRACE (40s-60s, F) A fair, kind but firm widowed woman with no living children of her own. After she takes in a Jewish refugee child from Germany, she struggles to find a way to connect with this boy who speaks no English.
SIDES FOR GRACE
LESTER (40s-60s, M) A wealthy yet generous owner of a chemical plant which has been commissioned by the government to make war-related products. He is confident and good natured, but struggles to accept the role forced upon him, and searches for a way to change his legacy.
SIDES FOR LESTER AND JERRY
JERRY (40s-60s, M) A tired and practical accountant who is charged by his old college friend to help him find a way to leave a meaningful post-war legacy. Yet with his son fighting overseas, he has his own more pressing worries.
SIDES FOR LESTER AND JERRY
ALICE (18-20s, F) A dreamy newlywed woman, holding both fear and optimism as she sends her overseas husband a letter containing important news of new life.
SIDES FOR ALICE
DOROTHY (20s-30s, F) A sad, wistful woman who has recently lost her husband in the war. Searching for intimacy and connection within an uncertain new start.
SIDES FOR DOROTHY AND JOHN
JOHN (20s-30s, M) A direct and honest man. He has seen death around him and is changed from his carefree high school days. He has feelings for his widowed high school sweetheart, but wishes that he didn’t.
SIDES FOR DOROTHY AND JOHN
OLDER RUBY (60s-70s, F) A spirited woman who is on the verge of life changes, experiencing real love for the first time. Yet she is anxious about what this may mean for her very close relationship with her sister.
SIDES FOR OLDER RUBY
OLDER MILLIE (60s-70s, F) Even at this age, she maintains her role as cautious older sister—caring and protective. She is faced with an exciting opportunity which would take her thousands of miles away from her current home, and she struggles to accept this new life apart from her sister.
SIDES FOR OLDER MILLIE