In Medias Res:

Snapshots of An (Un)Happy Family

A play in one act

Cast

Angela Russo

A timid, homely woman with an endless devotion to her family. She is an old fashioned type; subservient to her husband and the stay-at-home wife. Troubles from her past have made her a brave and strong willed person in the face of personal adversity, but her subservience has kept her loyal.

Rosa Russo

Oldest child; a proud, steadfast young girl with the gift of sympathy, but a weakness to criticism. She possesses a brilliant mind but is often clouded by personal feelings. She is overly self-conscious.

Anthony Russo

Youngest child; he is generally a friendly person with a large comical side but possesses a short temper. He was not religious growing up despite the beliefs of his mother and older sisters, but past events involving his family has changed his perspective on faith and life in general.

Giuseppe Russo

Giuseppe is the patriarch and provider of the family; he owns a small convenience and delicatessen in Yonkers, NY, and works every day. He is gentle by nature but was raised in an alcoholic household, and thus, has had the sickness passed onto him, which has severely damaged the relationship he shares with his family. He cares for them deeply, but his urges and tendencies to drink heavily outweigh his emotions, and because of it, every day is a struggle.

A Doctor

A young doctor.

Police Officer

A young police officer

Setting

The play contains no one setting but is rather a series of juxtaposed scenes taking place throughout the life of this family. The characters age rather dramatically for the purpose of these scenes, and not always will their age be revealed. We begin in a hospital waiting room, travel through the family’s household, and return full circle to a hospital. At all times the home is to appear brightly lit and is not to look in shambles, but rather very well-kept and beyond the standards of living. There is little in the way of Italian tradition in the home, but the walls are cluttered with innumerable picture frames of the children; from youth to adolescence to adulthood. There is a single crucifix on the kitchen, hanging behind the table.