Beyond the Stage 

Tea at Two

Arlene and Robert Kogod New Play Development Program

 

Held at 2:00 pm in the Washington DCJCC Library, professional actors read the best of new work emerging from our new play development program. All readings are $5.

 

CURRENT READING SCHEDULE:

Friday, February 12 at 2:00 pm

Photograph 51

By Anna Ziegler
Directed by Shirley Serotsky

Photograph 51 dramatizes the gripping true story of Rosalind Franklin and her uncredited contribution to the discovery of DNA's double helix. In presenting a reading of this new version of the play (which premiered at Maryland’s Active Cultures Theater and won the 2008 STAGE International Script Competition for Best New Play about Science & Technology) Theater J is pleased to continue its relationship with playwright Anna Ziegler, an exciting new voice in the American theater.

PHOTOGRAPH 51 is Winner of the 2008 STAGE INTERNATIONAL SCRIPT COMPETITION FOR BEST NEW PLAY ABOUT SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

Previous readings in the 2009 - 2010 Season

Abramovich
By Sam Forman
Directed by Shirley Serotsky

Featuring: Michael Tolaydo, Kathryn Kelley, James Flanagan, Amal Saade, Julia Procter and Aaron Serotsky with Stephen Spotswood reading stage directions.

The Abrams family has gathered for a weekend at their summer home in Nantucket, Mass. On the agenda is brisket, barbs, and big revelations—not necessarily in that order. A Chekhovian comedy with big heart, from the author of last season's hit play, The Rise and Fall of Annie Hall.

Imagining Madoff
By Deb Margolin

Directed by Derek Goldman 

Featuring: Rick Foucheux, Ron Guttman and Connan Morrissey

Bernie Madoff reflects from his prison cell about the evening he spent with Elie Wiesel--musing on faith and humanity until the sun came up on the next day. Through a series of flashbacks, recounted memories, and interviews with Madoff’s personal secretary, we get a fictional glance into the mind of one of this decade’s most infamous white collar criminals.

END DAYS
by Deborah Zoe Laufer
Directed by Shirley Serotsky

Sixteen year old Rachel Stein is having a bad year. Her father hasn't changed out of his pajamas since 9/11. Her mother has begun a close, personal relationship with Jesus. Her new neighbor, a sixteen-year-old Elvis impersonator, professes his love for her by singing her ballads in the school cafeteria. And the Apocalypse may be coming Wednesday. Rachel’s only hope is that Stephen Hawking will save them all. (End Days received the 2008 American Theatre Critics Association Steinberg citation.)


ENEMIES: A LOVE STORY
From the novel by Isaac Bashevis Singer
Adapted for the stage by Sarah Schulman


Adapted from Singer’s 1966 novel, ENEMIES introduces us to Herman Broder, a Ho¬locaust survivor living in New York City in 1949. Herman has trouble saying “no” and thus ends up with two wives, a mistress, and a life that seems like it’s not quite his. He struggles with questions of faith and God’s plan, seeking answers throughout much of New York City and its boroughs. He searches, he stumbles, he often falls—but always with Singer’s unmistakable bittersweet sense of humor.


The Whipping Man
By Matthew Lopez
Directed by Mark Ramont

Set in April, 1865--the Civil War is over and throughout the south slaves are being freed, soldiers are returning home and in Jewish homes, the annual celebration of Passover is being celebrated. Into the chaos of war-torn Richmond comes Caleb DeLeon, a young Confederate officer who has been severely wounded. He finds his family’s home in ruins and abandoned, save for two former slaves, Simon and John, who wait in the empty house for the family's return. As the three men wait for news of what’s to come, they wrestle with their shared past, the bitter irony of Jewish slave-owning and the reality of the new world in which they find themselves

 

History of plays readings coming soon.