Play Guide [1.2MB PDF] - Arizona Theatre Company

Sample Monologue 1
(The woman in this monologue is modeled after the character Tom. They are both artists
that do not practice their art. Tom is a writer. The woman in the monologue is a painter.
They both use entertainment as a way of escape. Tom goes to the movies. The woman in
the monologue watches Judge Judy. Their family situations are similar in the sense that she
feels, as Tom did, that she is being controlled by someone close to her. In this monologue
that person is her husband. In the Glass Menagerie, Tom feels that his mother Amanda is
controlling him. Both Tom and the woman in this monologue have in their lives someone
delicate and dependant on them. In The Glass Menagerie, Tom’s sister Laura is this person.
In the monologue that person is the woman’s daughter. Even though the gender and
circumstances of the characters are different, they are similar people in what deal with,
and how they deal with their lives.)
Today I said forget it. Casey’s a dip-stick wanting everything perfect like some kind of
idiot museum dusted and polished and perfect perfect perfect. I ain’t perfect, I’m not ever
gonna be perfect. (Talks to the t.v. as if it were Casey, her husband) in fact, you know
what Casey? I’m gonna sit on my butt and watch Judge Judy for the next half hour and not
even THINK about this “perfect family unit that we have so miraculously put together,” as I
hear you say every evening and every morning… (barks at the t.v.) Tell ‘em Judge! Speak
it! (back to the audience) I love my kid. She is a miracle. She’s beautiful and sweet and
full of me and life and her dad. I painted the murals on the walls of her room. I feel like
they inspire her. And that’s good. Why did you get me talking about this. (to Judge Judy)
Tell ‘em the truth, Judy!!!! Tell ‘em why he’s here!!! (back to us, an explanation of what’s
happening on t.v) This dip-stick thinks he’s gonna get away with keying his ex-girlfriends
Honda, but Judy has got another think coming for him, Don’t you Judge?! Don’t you, St.
Jude?! Tell it like is, my sister in arms!!!... (back to us but eyes still glued to the t.v.) I can’t
even remember the last time I picked up my brushes. Or caught the smell of oils. Or
laughed the way my kid does when she looks at my walls and tells me a story about the
little red-headed girl that’s her favorite and that I painted when I found out that Jazzy was
gonna be a girl. (breaks out of this and looks at us) But you know what, this is my time
right now, okay?! I don’t wanna talk about this crap while Judy’s on… This is the reprieve,
you understand… So let me have it… (focuses in on the t.v.) That’s right, Judge, AHHHH
go ON, now! Speak the TRUTH, Judy Penelope Judy Sparks! Speak the TRUTH, now!!!!
The Glass Menagerie
Arizona Theatre Company Play Guide 38