A SAMUEL FRENCH, INC. TITLE
Bad Jews
Full-Length Play, Comedy / 2w, 2m
A fierce, biting comedy about family, faith, and what you choose to believe, when you're chosen.
-
Cast Size
2w, 2m -
Duration
90 minutes -
Subgenre
Faith-Based -
Target Audience
Appropriate for All Audiences, Adult, Teen (Age 14-18)
Accolades
- Nominee: 2014 Lucille Lortel Award, Outstanding Play
Nominee: 2012-2013 Outer Critics Circle Awards, Outstanding New Off-Broadway Play & John Gassner Award
Details
Summary
The night after their grandfather’s funeral, three cousins engage in a verbal (and sometimes physical) battle. In one corner is Daphna Feygenbaum, a “Real Jew” who is volatile, self-assured and unbending. In the other is her equally stubborn cousin Liam, a secular and entitled young man, who has his shiksa girlfriend, Melody, in tow. Stuck in the middle is Liam’s brother, Jonah, who tries to stay out of the fray. When Liam stakes claim to their grandfather's Chai necklace, a vicious and hilarious brawl over family, faith and legacy ensues.
History
Bad Jews premiered at the Roundabout Underground in the 62-seat black box at the Steinberg Center in October 2012. Following its critical acclaim, Harmon's play transfered off-Broadway to the Roundabout's 424-seat Laura Pels Theatre in October 2013.
Cast Attributes
- Time Period Contemporary, Present Day
- Setting
A studio apartment on the Upper West Side.
- Features Contemporary Costumes/Street Clothes
- Additional Features No Intermission
- Duration 90 minutes
- Cautions
- Strong Language
Media
Critic's Pick! “Zesty... the best comedy of the season.” – The New York Times
“There’s nothing like a death in the family to bring out the worst in people. This unhappy truth is displayed with delectably savage humor in Bad Jews, a zesty play by Joshua Harmon... the best comedy of the season.” – The New York Times, Read More
“Four stars. Watching Bad Jews, you may change your mind about who the title refers to. But you'll also be consistently impressed by this fast and funny, pungent and poignant comedy by Joshua Harmon.” – New York Daily News, Read More
“[In] Joshua Harmon’s strikingly perceptive comedy with claws, Daphna is one of the most memorable characters to come down the pike in some time. Harmon’s biting script, which unfolds in 100 minutes of real time... marks him as a new theatrical voice to be reckoned with.” – Backstage, Read More
“Delicious, nasty fun... Equal parts brains and brawl, Joshua Harmon's play isn't a textbook comedy of hostility, but a smart, divisive conversation starter.” – New York Post, Read More
“One of the funniest things on the New York stage right now... a gleefully funny, thought-provoking evening.” – Huffington Post, Read More
ON BREAKING CHARACTER
Bad Jews in Frankfurt, Germany: The City of Anne Frank’s Childhood
by Daniel Nicolai
June 28, 2016
Joshua Harmon’s Bad Jews Transferring to West End
by Courtney Kochuba
February 24, 2015
Videos
Bad Jews - Montage
-
Bad Jews - About the Show
-
Bad Jews - Opening Night
Music
- Musical Style N/A (Not a musical)
- Vocal DemandsN/A (Not a musical)
- Chorus Size N/A (Not a musical)
Licensing & Materials
- Minimum Fee: £70 per performance plus VAT when applicable.
Please submit a license request to determine availability.
Authors
Joshua Harmon
Joshua Harmon's plays include Bad Jews, Significant Other, Admissions, Skintight, and Prayer for the French Republic. He and Sarah Silverman co-wrote the libretto for The Bedwetter based on her memoir. His plays have been produced on Broadway and the West End; off-Broadway at ...