Characters:
Bertha – has suffered 20 years of weight gain and loss as well as a four year addiction to bulimia. As the play opens, Bertha feels triumphant as she has recently lost 80 pounds, and she has her bulimia under control. She works on a master’s degree in counseling and plans to focus on weight issues. She views herself as a leader (although she is generally humorless) and calls together a group of overweight friends. Bertha believes she can solve their problems.
Naomi – she is a nurse engaged to a bariatric physician named Kyle. Kyle sends Naomi constant messages about her need to lose weight. Naomi has second thoughts about the man she loves.
Sita – the most overweight of the group who eats without awareness. Her family settled in the U. S. from Northern India. Because of Sita’s excess weight, the family has been unable to arrange a marriage for her.
Judy – a happily married 70 year old who has always been overweight.
Helice – deals with her weight issues by humor much to Bertha’s chagrin. Helice and Bertha have known each other from elementary school, and they annoy each other.