Marjorie Prime

Run dates: August 14-17 & 21-24, 2025

Directed by Jennifer Kingry

Set in the near future (roughly 30 years from now), Marjorie Prime follows Marjorie, who is battling dementia, as her daughter Tess and son-in-law Jon introduce a cutting-edge technology called a “Prime” into their lives. Primes are artificial intelligence holograms that look like real people from our lives. Based on Marjorie’s late husband, Walter Prime is there to help her retain her memories since he can retell her stories from their life. The more Marjorie, Tess and Jon tell the Prime, the more memories he has to share.  But memory is tricky – we may all recall the same event differently; by withholding certain information from the Prime, we can perhaps avoid dealing with it entirely.  If you had the chance to recreate your past, would you make it entirely the same?  In this richly spare, wondrous new play, profound questions emerge about the limits of technology and whether or not memory is an exclusively human invention.  

Cast requirements:  2 adult males, 2 adult females.  Ages are approximate. 

Marjorie – described as age 85.  A former concert violinist who gave up her career for marriage and family, Marjorie is experiencing failing health and fading memory.  She still exhibits the sense of humor and strength of character that undoubtedly made her a striking woman at her peak, but there is also fear and vulnerability as the darkness nears. 

Tess – Marjorie’s daughter, age given as 55.  A responsible, sometimes beleaguered caretaker, Tess has a complicated relationship with her mother.  Often seeming rather tense and prickly, Tess is not sold on the concept of Primes in general, nor of Walter Prime, this recreation of her own father, in particular. 

Jon – Tess’ husband, Marjorie’s son-in-law, also age 55. A good guy, seemingly more patient than his wife; perhaps because Jon doesn’t have the history with Marjorie that Tess does, he can afford to be more tolerant.  He is intrigued by Primes and helps to feed memories to Walter Prime, sometimes without Tess’ approval. 

Walter Prime – early 30’s, an AI recreation of Marjorie’s late husband. The real Walter was close in age to Marjorie, but the Prime has been modeled on his much-younger self. While NOT a robot, there is something slightly off about Walter Prime; though unfailingly kind, his social rhythm is a bit geeky.  When not actively engaged, he sits serenely in a corner, powered-down.  

Note: the play is short, approximately 80 minutes, played without intermission.  With only four characters, everyone has a lot of dialogue. This play is an actor’s showcase.