Part C
Trifles
by Susan Glaspell
Starring:
Don Cheadle as Mr. Henderson The County Attorney
The County Attorney is a young man and persistent clue analyzer. He scrutinizes the
evidence in the Wright house and seems to want to find the murderer quickly. Don Cheadle
would fit this role perfectly. He is a flexible actor and has star in moving roles such as the
Paul Rusesabagina in “Hotel Rwanda”. His quiet and deliberate manner would make him a
wonderful County Attorney.
Mia Kirshner as Mrs. Peters
Mrs. Peters is described as a frail and thin woman. Throughout the play she wants to do
what she came to do so they can get out the house. She’s frightened and very nervous
acting. Mia Kirshner is most known as “Jenny” on the television drama “The L Word”. Her
small physique and range of emotions she can play lend themselves to a perfect Mrs.
Peters.
Lawrence Fishburne as The Sheriff
The Sheriff is a middle aged man and in my mind a rather tall and broad man. His
misogynistic role as Ike Turner in the film “What’s Love Got to Do with It’
demonstrate his versatility as an actor. Although the character in “Trifles” is not
violent he has his ideas about “a woman’s place.
Jason Alexander as Mr. Hale
Mr. Hale is the first on the scene and he has to report. When he speaks he
rambles on and on. The county attorney had to interrupt him several times to get
the story about John Wright out of him. He reads to me a bit comical. Jason
Alexander is best known for his character as “George Costanza” from the sitcom
“Seinfeld”.
Jean Smart as Mrs. Hale
Mrs. Hale is described as being “more comfortable looking” than Mrs. Peters.
Throughout the play she makes bold assertions about the way the men are acting
in the Minnie Foster’s house. She feels for what Minnie is going through and bonds
quickly with Mrs. Peters about the matter. Jean Smart is well known as the funny,
odd thinking character “Charlene Frazier” from the sitcom Designing Women”.
Jon Voight as John Wright
John Wright treats his wife viscously. Although he is only spoken about in the past tense in
the play I gather he was a tyrant of a man. Jon Voight has played a myriad of roles ranging
from cowboys to teachers. His role in the movie “Varsity Blues” as Coach Kilmer
displayed a viscous, violent man who would do anything to win.
Shabana Azmi as Minnie Foster
Minnie Foster was a woman who appeared much older than she was. After her
marriage to John Wright her youth faded and she became isolated. Shabana Azmi
portrayed a women in somewhat of the same situation. In the movie “Fire” Azmi
plays Radha, a woman who is being neglected by her husband. He warm natural
beauty and soft-spoken manner would make Minnie Foster come alive.