Eugene Jerome
A fourteen-year-old student, Jack and Kate’s son, and Stanley’s brother. Eugene is at the center of the play, observing and taking part in the action and commenting directly to the audience about what’s going on and what’s already happened. Eugene dreams of becoming either a writer or a baseball player, and he often spins out elaborate fantasies of himself in these roles. Eugene is going through puberty and thinks about girls frequently, particularly his cousin Nora. He learns about growing up, including the changes in his body, from Stanley, whom he idolizes.
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Jacob “Jack” Jerome
A middle-aged working man, Kate’s husband, and Eugene and Stanley’s father. Jack is a responsible family man, holding down two jobs so he can support his own family and his sister-in-law’s family. His hard work makes him look older than his years and he suffers a minor heart attack that forces him to take several weeks off work. Everyone in the household turns to Jack to make the important decisions. Aside from his own family’s problems, Jack worries about the rise of Hitler in Europe and how it will impact his Jewish relatives. He believes war is imminent.
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Kate Jerome
A middle-aged housewife, Jack’s wife, Blanche’s sister, and Eugene and Stanley’s mother. Kate has spent her entire life taking care of others – first her parents, and now her husband and kids, as well as her sister’s family. Kate manages the household on little money but lets her husband Jack make the important decisions for the family. While Jack recovers from a heart attack, however, she proves herself capable of handling problems on her own. Kate feels like she has given up things in her own life for those she loves but she has repressed this anger for decades.
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Blanche Morton
An unemployed widow, Kate’s sister, and Nora and Laurie’s mother. Blanche has been widowed for six years, and after her husband left her with no money, she was forced to depend upon Kate and Jack’s charity for the support of her and her daughters. Blanche is unable to get a job due to her poor eyesight and asthma, but she takes in sewing at home to help pay for Nora’s dance lessons. Blanche has never truly been independent but realizes that she needs to learn to take care of herself and her daughters.
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Stanley Jerome
An eighteen-year-old young man, Jack and Kate’s son, and Eugene’s brother. Stanley went to work straight after high school to help support his family. He tries to live by the principles of fairness and risks his job standing up for a fellow employee. Stanley also is his brother’s confidante for issues and questions surrounding sexuality. He believes he has let his family down when he loses his salary, but by the end of the play, Stanley comes to realize that he can’t run away from his problems and needs to stick with his family.
Nora Morton
A sixteen-year-old high school student, Blanche’s daughter, and Laurie’s sister. Nora has spent many years studying dance and wants to be a performer on stage. She feels angry when her mother Blanche follows Jack’s advice not to let her audition for a Broadway musical. Nora resents her mother’s inability to make the decision on her own or let her be part of the process, and she longs for more independence. Nora misses her father and feels like her mother neither pays attention to her nor shows her love.
Laurie Morton
A thirteen-year-old student, Blanche’s daughter, and Nora’s sister. Laurie has been diagnosed with a weak heart, so her mother believes she is fragile and keeps her in the house. Laurie uses her weak heart to get out of chores. She has few responsibilities to the household and no friends. Laurie spends her time reading and studying. She has few memories of her father.
