Memory House

Memory House by Kathleen Tolan

(8)
Productions (39)
Comedy/Drama
|
80 - 90 minutes
2 W, 
Content Notes: Adult language
Set: Working sink; working oven and stove; counter or table; couch; shelves.

One winter night a woman bakes a pie as a girl tries to finish her college essay. As the deadline looms, unexamined issues of the girl's adoption from Russia, the rupture of her parents divorce, and the fear of leaving home break through the surface as the mother cajoles, deflects, and maneuvers around her own feelings of sadness and loss. Unfolding in real time, Memory House is about a young and an older woman who are forced to grapple with the past as they face an uncertain future. A funny and moving story about the complexity of living in the world today.

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Play Details

One winter night a woman bakes a pie as a girl tries to finish her college essay. As the deadline looms, unexamined issues of the girl's adoption from Russia, the rupture of her parents divorce, and the fear of leaving home break through the surface as the mother cajoles, deflects, and maneuvers around her own feelings of sadness and loss. Unfolding in real time, Memory House is about a young and an older woman who are forced to grapple with the past as they face an uncertain future. A funny and moving story about the complexity of living in the world today.

  • Comedy/Drama
  • |
  • 80 - 90 minutes
  • 2 W, 
  • Content Notes: Adult language
  • Set: Working sink; working oven and stove; counter or table; couch; shelves.
  • Standard Edition ISBN: 978-1-62384-052-5

Published Reviews

"A captivating emotional ballet that is also a moving demonstration of the strenuous work that goes into good mothering."

The New York Times

"Tolan nails the mother-daughter negotiation."

Sarah Hart, American Theatre Magazine

"[Tolan's] writing sings with a welcome candor and poetic realism."

Anne Marie Welsh, San Diego Union-Tribune

"Watching Memory House you feel like you have a window into a real relationship, and it's worth watching."

CityBeat (Cincinnati)

"This glowingly written play by Kathleen Tolan may remind you of why we go to the theater in the first place."

Journal News

Production History

MAR 11, 2022 - MAR 27, 2022
Lake Dillon Theatre Company
Dillon, CO United States
 Lake Dillon Theatre Company Dillon, CO United States
NOV 01, 2019 - NOV 02, 2019
Aylen Junior High School
Puyallup, WA United States
 Aylen Junior High School Puyallup, WA United States
JUN 12, 2019 - JUN 15, 2019
N/A.
Vancouver, BC Canada
 N/A. Vancouver, BC Canada
MAR 22, 2018 - MAR 24, 2018
Backyard Theatre
Billings, MT United States
 Backyard Theatre Billings, MT United States
APR 20, 2017 - APR 22, 2017
Miami University Hamilton Theatre
Hamilton, OH United States
 Miami University Hamilton Theatre Hamilton, OH United States
SEP 05, 2016 - SEP 05, 2016
N/A
Fresno, CA United States
 N/A Fresno, CA United States
NOV 20, 2015 - NOV 22, 2015
Drama Studio
Springfield, MA United States
 Drama Studio Springfield, MA United States
OCT 22, 2015 - OCT 31, 2015
Shaw High School
Columbus, GA United States
 Shaw High School Columbus, GA United States
JUL 29, 2015 - AUG 09, 2015
Chester Theatre Company
Chester, MA United States
 Chester Theatre Company Chester, MA United States
JUL 29, 2015 - AUG 09, 2015
Chester Theatre Company
Chester, MA United States
 Chester Theatre Company Chester, MA United States
FEB 20, 2015 - FEB 21, 2015
Northwest Missouri State University
Maryville, MO United States
 Northwest Missouri State University Maryville, MO United States
AUG 07, 2014 - AUG 09, 2014
Westford Academy Theater Arts
Westford, MA United States
 Westford Academy Theater Arts Westford, MA United States
MAR 28, 2014 - APR 06, 2014
UDM Theatre Company
Detroit, MI United States
 UDM Theatre Company Detroit, MI United States
NOV 09, 2013 - NOV 09, 2013
The Merc Playhouse
Twisp, WA United States
 The Merc Playhouse Twisp, WA United States
SEP 20, 2013 - SEP 21, 2013
The Merc Playhouse
Twisp, WA United States
 The Merc Playhouse Twisp, WA United States
JAN 17, 2013 - FEB 10, 2013
Main Street Theater
Houston, TX United States
 Main Street Theater Houston, TX United States
OCT 25, 2012 - NOV 18, 2012
Merrimack Repertory Theatre
Lowell, MA United States
 Merrimack Repertory Theatre Lowell, MA United States
FEB 03, 2012 - FEB 25, 2012
Oil Lamp Theater
Chicago, IL United States
 Oil Lamp Theater Chicago, IL United States
FEB 04, 2010 - FEB 06, 2010
Marshall University Theatre
Huntington, WV United States
 Marshall University Theatre Huntington, WV United States
AUG 12, 2009 - SEP 05, 2009
The Vineyard Playhouse
Vineyard Haven, MA United States
 The Vineyard Playhouse Vineyard Haven, MA United States
APR 10, 2008 - APR 19, 2008
Portland State University-Department Of Theater Arts
Portland, OR United States
 Portland State University-Department Of Theater Arts Portland, OR United States
FEB 13, 2008 - MAR 01, 2008
Flashpoint Theatre Company
Philadelphia, PA United States
 Flashpoint Theatre Company Philadelphia, PA United States
FEB 03, 2008 - FEB 03, 2008
Lord Leebrick Theatre Company
Eugene, OR United States
 Lord Leebrick Theatre Company Eugene, OR United States
JAN 11, 2008 - FEB 02, 2008
Lord Leebrick Theatre Company
Eugene, OR United States
 Lord Leebrick Theatre Company Eugene, OR United States
NOV 30, 2007 - JAN 06, 2008
Trinity Repertory Company
Providence, RI United States
 Trinity Repertory Company Providence, RI United States
JUN 28, 2007 - JUN 28, 2007
Utah Contemporary Theatre
Salt Lake City, UT United States
 Utah Contemporary Theatre Salt Lake City, UT United States
MAR 16, 2007 - APR 15, 2007
TheatreZone
Chelsea, MA United States
 TheatreZone Chelsea, MA United States
NOV 16, 2006 - DEC 17, 2006
Seattle Repertory Theatre
Seattle, WA United States
 Seattle Repertory Theatre Seattle, WA United States
OCT 05, 2006 - OCT 22, 2006
Renaissance Theaterworks
Milwaukee, WI United States
 Renaissance Theaterworks Milwaukee, WI United States
AUG 10, 2006 - AUG 27, 2006
The Women's Theatre Project
Sunrise, FL United States
 The Women's Theatre Project Sunrise, FL United States
AUG 03, 2006 - AUG 20, 2006
Phoenix Theatre
Indianapolis, IN United States
 Phoenix Theatre Indianapolis, IN United States
JUL 14, 2006 - JUL 25, 2006
Indiana State University
Terre Haute, IN United States
 Indiana State University Terre Haute, IN United States
JUN 30, 2006 - AUG 03, 2006
Hope Summer Repertory Theatre
Holland, MI United States
 Hope Summer Repertory Theatre Holland, MI United States
JAN 21, 2006 - JAN 21, 2006
Washington High School
Washington, IA United States
 Washington High School Washington, IA United States
JUL 29, 2015 - AUG 09, 2015
Chester Theatre Company
Chester, MA United States
 Chester Theatre Company Chester, MA United States
SEP 01, 2005 - SEP 30, 2005
Victory Gardens Theatre
Chicago, IL United States
 Victory Gardens Theatre Chicago, IL United States
APR 01, 2005 - APR 30, 2005
Playwrights Horizons
New York, NY United States
 Playwrights Horizons New York, NY United States
MAR 01, 2005 - MAR 31, 2005
Actors Theatre of Louisville
Louisville, KY United States
 Actors Theatre of Louisville Louisville, KY United States
JAN 01, 1970 - JAN 01, 1970

, United States
 , United States
No upcoming productions.
MAR 11, 2022 - MAR 27, 2022
Lake Dillon Theatre Company
Dillon, CO United States
 Lake Dillon Theatre Company Dillon, CO United States
JUL 29, 2015 - AUG 09, 2015
Chester Theatre Company
Chester, MA United States
 Chester Theatre Company Chester, MA United States
JUL 29, 2015 - AUG 09, 2015
Chester Theatre Company
Chester, MA United States
 Chester Theatre Company Chester, MA United States
JAN 17, 2013 - FEB 10, 2013
Main Street Theater
Houston, TX United States
 Main Street Theater Houston, TX United States
OCT 25, 2012 - NOV 18, 2012
Merrimack Repertory Theatre
Lowell, MA United States
 Merrimack Repertory Theatre Lowell, MA United States
AUG 12, 2009 - SEP 05, 2009
The Vineyard Playhouse
Vineyard Haven, MA United States
 The Vineyard Playhouse Vineyard Haven, MA United States
FEB 13, 2008 - MAR 01, 2008
Flashpoint Theatre Company
Philadelphia, PA United States
 Flashpoint Theatre Company Philadelphia, PA United States
NOV 30, 2007 - JAN 06, 2008
Trinity Repertory Company
Providence, RI United States
 Trinity Repertory Company Providence, RI United States
JUN 28, 2007 - JUN 28, 2007
Utah Contemporary Theatre
Salt Lake City, UT United States
 Utah Contemporary Theatre Salt Lake City, UT United States
MAR 16, 2007 - APR 15, 2007
TheatreZone
Chelsea, MA United States
 TheatreZone Chelsea, MA United States
NOV 16, 2006 - DEC 17, 2006
Seattle Repertory Theatre
Seattle, WA United States
 Seattle Repertory Theatre Seattle, WA United States
OCT 05, 2006 - OCT 22, 2006
Renaissance Theaterworks
Milwaukee, WI United States
 Renaissance Theaterworks Milwaukee, WI United States
AUG 10, 2006 - AUG 27, 2006
The Women's Theatre Project
Sunrise, FL United States
 The Women's Theatre Project Sunrise, FL United States
AUG 03, 2006 - AUG 20, 2006
Phoenix Theatre
Indianapolis, IN United States
 Phoenix Theatre Indianapolis, IN United States
JUL 14, 2006 - JUL 25, 2006
Indiana State University
Terre Haute, IN United States
 Indiana State University Terre Haute, IN United States
JUN 30, 2006 - AUG 03, 2006
Hope Summer Repertory Theatre
Holland, MI United States
 Hope Summer Repertory Theatre Holland, MI United States
JUL 29, 2015 - AUG 09, 2015
Chester Theatre Company
Chester, MA United States
 Chester Theatre Company Chester, MA United States
SEP 01, 2005 - SEP 30, 2005
Victory Gardens Theatre
Chicago, IL United States
 Victory Gardens Theatre Chicago, IL United States
APR 01, 2005 - APR 30, 2005
Playwrights Horizons
New York, NY United States
 Playwrights Horizons New York, NY United States
MAR 01, 2005 - MAR 31, 2005
Actors Theatre of Louisville
Louisville, KY United States
 Actors Theatre of Louisville Louisville, KY United States

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