The House of Blue Leaves Character Descriptions

Style of the Show
Some lines and monologues are spoken directly to the audience, but in most cases, the fourth wall stays in place. Lines should be delivered at a fast clip, but they are also extremely funny, so actors will need to carefully gauge the audience reaction and hold for laughs when necessary. The show has elements of farce, and actors should be comfortable with physicality, and a broader style of acting than most dramas call for. However, there are moments--the final scene, in particular--of pure drama.

This show is a delight to rehearse and perform. As to characters, bigger is better. We'll likely use New York accents, to varying degrees. (Bunny's must be strong, Arte and Bananas' might be, Ronnie, Corrina and the nuns needn't have accents at all.)

Male Characters

Artie Shaughnessy, 45 years old (flexible). Zookeeper and failed songwriter. Life has overwhelmed him. Married to Bananas, who is slowly living up to her nickname, as she descends into madness. Having a none-too-subtle affair with Bunny, his downstairs neighbor. Tired, easily led, too eager to please, like a whipped dog. Piano playing desired, not required.

Ronnie Shaughnessy, 18 years old (slightly flexible). Son of Artie and Bananas. Former alter boy, now AWOL from the Army. He plans to assassinate the Pope. Has the longest, and funniest, monologue. Will need short Army-style haircut.

Billy Einhorn, 45 years old (flexible). Boyhood friend of Artie, close to the couple, gave Bananas her nickname. Big-time Hollywood director of disaster movies.

Man in White. Hospital orderly, sanitarium worker type. Comes to collect Bananas, leaves with Bunny.

MP Military Police Officer, coming to take Ronnie into custody. Will need short Army-style haircut.

Female Characters

Bananas Shaughnessy, 44 years old (flexible). Former beauty, now a tragicomic figure. Wild hair, makeup, clothing. Swings in and out of lucidity, but aware of far more than we realize. Should be comfortable with physicality, alternating graceful and klutzy.

Bunny Flingus, 39 years old (flexible). Artie's downstairs neighbor and mistress. Strong, almost annoying Bronx, Brooklyn or Queens accent. NOT a great beauty. In fact, extra pounds or extra years can only help in this role. She withholds her cooking from Artie, because "I'm a rotten lay...my cooking is the only thing I got to lure you on with and hold you." Has held an unending stream of temp jobs. She is brash, loud, obnoxious, and talks nonstop. While this is an ensemble show, Bunny is arguably the meatiest part. This role requires physicality and broad humor. There is nothing subtle about Bunny.

Corrina Stroller, 22 years old (flexible). A starlet, in every sense of the word. Young, naive, sexy, beautiful and, due to an accident on the set of Billy's last movie, profoundly deaf. Can be played intelligent or dim, dizzy blond or sassy brunette, the role allows great flexibility.

Head Nun, the leader. No-nonsense, drill-sergeant type. Ability to belt Ave Maria would be awesome.

Second Nun, Can be played as second-in-command to head nun (perhaps they are a bickering "couple?"), or completely different personality. These roles allow for tremendous flexibility on the actors' part. Have fun with them.

Little Nun, the novitiate. Wide-eyed, perhaps mischievous, thrilled to be out of the Abbey. "They have peanut butter! We're not allowed peanut butter!"

Meet the cast and crew of The House of Blue Leaves