"Marvin's Room" Stage Play Looking for Actors

Bessie is from Ohio, but she moved to Florida to take care of her father, Marvin, after he had a stroke. She also looks after her aunt, Ruth, who is crippled after sustaining a back injury. She has dedicated most of her adult life to looking after them and does not get any support from her sister, Lee. Bessie and Lee are not close, but Bessie is forced to contact her sister when she is diagnosed with leukemia and needs a bone marrow donation.

Lee is Bessie's sister. She has not kept in touch with her family and lives miles away from them in Ohio. Lee has two sons, Hank and Charlie. She does not know how to deal with Hank when he rebels against her, and the pair have a fragile relationship. Although Lee and Bessie have not always gotten along, Lee agrees to come to Florida and be tested to see if she can donate bone marrow to her sister, who has leukemia.

(plays 70) Ruth lives with her brother, Marvin, and his daughter, Bessie. She has three collapsed vertebrae and has electrodes wired up to her brain to help ease the pain. She is cared for by Bessie and, frequently forgetful, is of little help to help Bessie when she needs it. Ruth is obsessed with her favorite soap opera.

One of the doctors at the medical center Bessie comes to, and to which she brings her father, Marvin, and her aunt, Ruth, for treatment. He has a particularly bad memory and frequently can't remember words or names. He is awkward around Bessie and his communication skills are poor.

Hank's psychiatrist at the mental institution in Ohio. She is a stereotypical therapist, encouraging Lee to analyze her relationship with Hank, despite Lee's lack of concern.

Appears briefly in the play when Lee tries to convince her sister, Bessie, that their father and aunt would be better off in a retirement home.

Doctor Wally's brother. Doctor Wally takes him on as an interim receptionist after his current one resigns. Bob does not understand the requirements of the job.

Marvin features heavily in the play but is never fully seen. He is a shadowy presence in the back room. He has suffered several strokes, has cancer, and is bed-bound. He has lost the power of speech but communicates through noises. He enjoys watching the light from Ruth's compact mirror bouncing off the walls of his bedroom.