The Sandbox

The Sandbox Character List

Grandma

The 86-year-old protagonist of the play and the mother of Mommy. Grandma is simultaneously shrewd and childlike, often to the chagrin of her daughter. She represents a rural ideal and raised her daughter on a farm before Mommy moved her to the city. She is alternately sarcastic and warm, and has a special confidence with the audience.

Mommy

Grandma's 55-year-old daughter, a domineering and outspoken person. Mommy has very little respect for those around her, including her own mother, and often tends towards cruelty. She operates under the delusion that she has cared well for her mother and affects sadness at the prospect of her death, but quickly moves on.

Daddy

The 60-year-old wealthy husband of Mommy. Daddy is extremely passive and does whatever Mommy asks of him, having very few opinions of his own.

The Young Man

A handsome stranger whom the family sees performing calisthenics near the sandbox. It is revealed that he is in fact the Angel of Death, come to take Grandma away. As Grandma discovers, he is an actor from Southern California, who dreams of being in the movies. While he is very attractive, he is not all that bright or skilled as an actor.

The Musician

An unnamed character who doesn’t speak. The Musician accompanies the family to the beach, playing music when asked, although it is not specified what kind.