Character Descriptions

JB-A Play in Verse

by Archibald MacLeish

Roustabouts and Props (2 each)--Characters who act as set change crew for some of the scene changes.  2 lines each for the Roustabouts.  Props are non-speaking.

Nickles--Circus vendor who also takes on the SATANMASK character.  138 lines.

Mr. Zuss--Circus vendor who also takes on the GODMASK character.  126 lines.

Distant Voice--Prompter during the SATANMASK/GODMASK interchanges.  12 lines--could be pre-recorded.

Maids (2)--Workers in J.B. and Sarah's house.  No lines.

J.B.--The story's re-invention of Job.  A 1940's era banker.  139 lines.

Sarah--J.B.'s wife.  89 lines.

Mary--J.B.'s eldest daughter.  6 lines.

David--J.B.'s eldest son.  3 lines.

Ruth--J.B.'s middle daughter.  5 lines.

Jonathan--J.B.'s youngest son.  9 lines.

Rebecca--J.B.'s youngest daughter.  3 lines.

Soldiers (2)--Messengers just back from the war.  Tell J.B. and Sarah about the death of their son, David.  17 and 11 lines.

Extra Soldiers (5)--Background characters also back from the war.  Non-speaking.

Extra Preacher (1)--Background character responding to those back from the war.  Non-speaking

Girl--In a club.  Asked to converse with J.B. and Sarah.  10 lines.

Reporters (2)--Tell J.B. and Sarah about the death of Mary and Jonathan.   9 and 5 lines.

Police Officers (2)--Tell J.B. and Sarah about the death of Rebecca.  1 and 19 lines.

Botticelli--One of the women who provide commentary on J.B.'s suffering.  19 lines.

Miss Mabel--One of the women who provide commentary on J.B.'s suffering.  14 lines.

Boy--Jolly's young son.  3 lines.

Lesure--One of the women who provide commentary on J.B.'s suffering.  Jolly's mother.  16 lines.

Jolly--One of the women who provide commentary on J.B.'s suffering.  9 lines.

Murphy--One of the women who provide commentary on J.B.'s suffering.  17 lines.

Adams--One of the women who provide commentary on J.B.'s suffering.  8 lines.

Civil Defense Officers (2)--Carry Sarah on and tells J.B. about the death of Ruth. 5 and 3 lines.

Eliphaz--One of J.B.'s comforters.  A psychiatrist.  11 lines.

Zophar--One of J.B.'s comforters.  A cleric or preacher.  15 lines.

Bildad--One of J.B.'s comforters.  A proletarian, lower class citizen.  16 lines.