The Sycamore Family

Martin Vanderhof ("Grandpa")

• Age: 65–80

• The patriarch of the family. Cheerful, wise, and independent. He quit working years ago because he didn't enjoy it and spends his time doing what makes him happy. Warm, lovable, and philosophical.

Penny Sycamore

• Age: 40–60

• Grandpa's daughter. An eccentric and enthusiastic woman who writes plays because a typewriter was delivered by mistake. Optimistic, scatterbrained, and full of energy.

Paul Sycamore

• Age: 40–60

• Penny's husband. A tinkerer who spends his days making fireworks in the basement. Kind, cheerful, and unconcerned with convention.

Alice Sycamore

• Age: 20–30

• Their daughter. The most "normal" member of the family. Intelligent, practical, and deeply in love with Tony Kirby. Serves as the bridge between the two worlds in the play.

Essie Carmichael

• Age: 25–40

• Alice's sister. An enthusiastic but untalented ballet dancer who practices constantly. Sweet, innocent, and oblivious to criticism.

Ed Carmichael

• Age: 25–40

• Essie's husband. An amateur printer who produces odd pamphlets and slogans. Good-natured and supportive.

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Family Friends and Household Members

Mr. De Pinna

• Age: 40–70

• A former ice man who came to deliver ice years ago and never left. Now assists with fireworks. Gentle, loyal, and quirky.

Rheba

• Age: 30–60

• The family's maid. Practical, witty, and often the voice of common sense. A substantial supporting role.

Donald

• Age: 25–60

• Rheba's boyfriend. Frequently visits the house and is treated like part of the family. Friendly and easygoing.

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The Kirby Family

Tony Kirby

• Age: 25–35

• Alice's fiancé. Vice president of his father's company. Charming, sincere, and attracted to the Sycamores' freedom and authenticity.

Anthony P. Kirby

• Age: 50–70

• Tony's father. A wealthy Wall Street businessman. Serious, driven, and obsessed with success, though he eventually learns valuable lessons from the Sycamores.

Miriam Kirby

• Age: 45–70

• Tony's mother. Elegant, socially conscious, and concerned with appearances and status. Often horrified by the Sycamores' unconventional lifestyle.

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Supporting Characters

Boris Kolenkhov

• Age: 30–60

• Essie's flamboyant Russian ballet instructor. Larger than life, dramatic, and one of the funniest roles in the play.

Gay Wellington

• Age: 30–60

• An actress who is frequently intoxicated. Eccentric and comic.

Henderson

• Age: 30–65

• An IRS agent investigating Grandpa. Pleasant and increasingly charmed by the family.

The G-Men (FBI Agents)

• Age: 25–65

• Federal agents who arrive during the fireworks-related confusion.

The Man

• Age: 25–65

• A mysterious visitor connected to the government investigation.

Olga: Grand Duchess

Note; Some actors will play more than one part.