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.

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 CompanyDillon, CO United States
NOV 01, 2019 - NOV 02, 2019
Aylen Junior High School
Puyallup, WA United States
Aylen Junior High SchoolPuyallup, 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 TheatreBillings, MT United States
APR 20, 2017 - APR 22, 2017
Miami University Hamilton Theatre
Hamilton, OH United States
Miami University Hamilton TheatreHamilton, OH United States
SEP 05, 2016 - SEP 05, 2016
N/A
Fresno, CA United States
N/AFresno, CA United States
NOV 20, 2015 - NOV 22, 2015
Drama Studio
Springfield, MA United States
Drama StudioSpringfield, MA United States
OCT 22, 2015 - OCT 31, 2015
Shaw High School
Columbus, GA United States
Shaw High SchoolColumbus, GA United States
JUL 29, 2015 - AUG 09, 2015
Chester Theatre Company
Chester, MA United States
Chester Theatre CompanyChester, MA United States
JUL 29, 2015 - AUG 09, 2015
Chester Theatre Company
Chester, MA United States
Chester Theatre CompanyChester, MA United States
1 of 4
No upcoming productions.
MAR 11, 2022 - MAR 27, 2022
Lake Dillon Theatre Company
Dillon, CO United States
Lake Dillon Theatre CompanyDillon, CO United States
JUL 29, 2015 - AUG 09, 2015
Chester Theatre Company
Chester, MA United States
Chester Theatre CompanyChester, MA United States
JUL 29, 2015 - AUG 09, 2015
Chester Theatre Company
Chester, MA United States
Chester Theatre CompanyChester, MA United States
JAN 17, 2013 - FEB 10, 2013
Main Street Theater
Houston, TX United States
Main Street TheaterHouston, TX United States
OCT 25, 2012 - NOV 18, 2012
Merrimack Repertory Theatre
Lowell, MA United States
Merrimack Repertory TheatreLowell, MA United States
AUG 12, 2009 - SEP 05, 2009
The Vineyard Playhouse
Vineyard Haven, MA United States
The Vineyard PlayhouseVineyard Haven, MA United States
FEB 13, 2008 - MAR 01, 2008
Flashpoint Theatre Company
Philadelphia, PA United States
Flashpoint Theatre CompanyPhiladelphia, PA United States
NOV 30, 2007 - JAN 06, 2008
Trinity Repertory Company
Providence, RI United States
Trinity Repertory CompanyProvidence, RI United States
JUN 28, 2007 - JUN 28, 2007
Utah Contemporary Theatre
Salt Lake City, UT United States
Utah Contemporary TheatreSalt Lake City, UT United States
MAR 16, 2007 - APR 15, 2007
TheatreZone
Chelsea, MA United States
TheatreZoneChelsea, MA United States
1 of 2