The Parker Family Circus
by Jan Buttram

The Parker Family Circus Book Cover — The Parker Family Circus Cover

Highlights

Small Cast

Female

Male

Present DayInterior SetAmerican Comedy

Synopsis

Chaos flairs up in an urban Texas household on a day when the old television stops working.

Mom and Dad are too caught up in their own crises to deal with their "slow" son Tommy's behavioral problems, and Grandma simply cannot cope with his racy behavior.

Press Reviews

"[A] take your breath away production....The Parker family has many problems, but the telling of their story does not."
— Back Stage

"An often hilarious look at a dysfunctional suburban Texas clan."
— NY Daily News

"Takes the notion of family seriously.... Hilarious when it needs to be and poignant when it needs to be."
— Chelsea News

"A powerful, at times darkly funny family drama."
— CultureVulture.net

Characters

Character	Gender	Age	Description
Tommy Parker 20, the grandson. He has an IQ of 70 and is volatile, with the social maturity of an eight- or nine-year-old. He adores his grandmother.	male	—	20, the grandson. He has an IQ of 70 and is volatile, with the social maturity of an eight- or nine-year-old. He adores his grandmother.
Polly Pearl Parker 16, the granddaughter. She is smart, pretty, and popular. She has a terrific temper.	female	—	16, the granddaughter. She is smart, pretty, and popular. She has a terrific temper.
Vest Moody 16, the family friend. She is cynical but friendly, from a broken home.	female	—	16, the family friend. She is cynical but friendly, from a broken home.
Lottie Parker 46, the mother. A high school guidance counselor, she is pretty, driven, and competitive.	female	—	46, the mother. A high school guidance counselor, she is pretty, driven, and competitive.
Don Parker 46, the son. A talented electrician, he is the production manager at the sports/performance arena. He is good-natured and loves his family, but he's confused by life.	male	—	46, the son. A talented electrician, he is the production manager at the sports/performance arena. He is good-natured and loves his family, but he's confused by life.
Pearl "Mamaw" Parker 72, the grandmother. She is friendly, good-natured and warm. She is a widow and grieving.	female	—	72, the grandmother. She is friendly, good-natured and warm. She is a widow and grieving.