Aphrah-Cadabra

by Andrea Markowitz

IN THIS AWARD-WINNING SCRIPT, a refugee arrives unexpectedly and challenges a family to question their assumptions, recognize their biases, and combine their divergent perspectives to work out opposing views about offering safe haven to a person whose race is different from theirs. Time reversals and changes of identity create a transformative experience, filled with twists and turns and constant surprises that...

IN THIS AWARD-WINNING SCRIPT, a refugee arrives unexpectedly and challenges a family to question their assumptions, recognize their biases, and combine their divergent perspectives to work out opposing views about offering safe haven to a person whose race is different from theirs. Time reversals and changes of identity create a transformative experience, filled with twists and turns and constant surprises that nurture respect and understanding, reveal common ground, and inspire the creation of a better world for all.

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Aphrah-Cadabra

Recommended by

  • Jewish Plays Project: Aphrah-Cadabra by Andrea Markowitz
    “

    The Jewish Plays Project encourages APHRAH-CADABRA as a Honorable Mention for the 11th annual Jewish Playwriting Contest. This play sparked a rigorous discussion with our community of readers as an exciting, engaging, and moving play that resonated with contemporary Jewish life. APHRAH-CADABRA rose to the top out of 250 plays, and we hope this piece finds opportunities for further development so this contemporary Jewish story can reach new audiences.

    The Jewish Plays Project encourages APHRAH-CADABRA as a Honorable Mention for the 11th annual Jewish Playwriting Contest. This play sparked a rigorous discussion with our community of readers as an exciting, engaging, and moving play that resonated with contemporary Jewish life. APHRAH-CADABRA rose to the top out of 250 plays, and we hope this piece finds opportunities for further development so this contemporary Jewish story can reach new audiences.

    ”

Character Information

4F, 2M
  • Aphrah Jacobs
    A biblical archaeologist who supports a controversial theory about the Exodus story. She just returned home after being held in a Middle East prison, and seems to have a special connection with Yusuf.
    late 30s
    White
    Female
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      30s
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      White
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Female
  • Yusuf/Agent Haskel/Sam
    First he claims he's a political refugee. Then he leaves and returns as Agent Haskell. Then he leaves and returns as a physics professor, and finally as Sam, a multispectral imaging expert.
    late 30s to late 40s
    Any Race or Ethnicity
    Male
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      30s,
      40s
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Male
  • Edie Jacobs
    Aphrah, Miriam and Paul's mother. A former hippie who believes in "signs," miracles and coming together in peace and love. She believes Yusuf is either a reality TV actor, or the Prophet Elijah.
    late 60s
    White
    Female
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      60s
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      White
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Female
  • Miriam Jacobs
    A fiercely liberal linguistics professor who has been at odds with her conservative brother Paul since childhood. She believes Yusuf is a political refugee.
    late 30s to early 40s
    White
    Female
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      30s,
      40s
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      White
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Female
  • Paul Jacobs
    His blond hair, light eyes and fair complexion are in sharp contrast to his mother's and sisters' darker hair and complexions. A fiercely conservative special economic advisor to the White House. He believes Yusuf is a terrorist.
    mid 40s
    European Jewish
    Male
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      40s
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      White
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Male
  • Sybil Gonzalaz
    A neuropsychologist who's married to Paul. She's a person of color who converted to Judaism. Sybil suspects Paul of having an affair. She believes Yusuf is a physicist.
    Late 30s to early 40s
    Person of Color
    Female
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      30s,
      40s
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      Asian, Pacific Islander, or Asian American,
      Black, African, Caribbean, or African American,
      Indigenous, First Nation, or Native American,
      Latinx/o/a or Hispanic,
      Middle Eastern, North African, or Arab American,
      Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander,
      South Asian or South Asian American
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Female

Development History

  • Reading, Self-produced, 2022
  • Reading, Self-produced, 2021

Awards

  • THE 11TH ANNUAL JEWISH PLAYWRITING CONTEST
    Jewish Plays Project
    Honorable Mention
    2022