the old jew who begat scrooge, on his deathbed

by Sarah Jae Leiber

As Jewish banker Ephraim Stein prepares to meet his maker, he's visited by three ghosts — Shylock, Scrooge, and Mrs. Maisel — who've come to warn him about how he'll be remembered to history, immortalized by Dickens.

Written as part of the 2021 McCarter Theatre Center's Paula Vogel Christmas Carol Bake-Off.

As Jewish banker Ephraim Stein prepares to meet his maker, he's visited by three ghosts — Shylock, Scrooge, and Mrs. Maisel — who've come to warn him about how he'll be remembered to history, immortalized by Dickens.

Written as part of the 2021 McCarter Theatre Center's Paula Vogel Christmas Carol Bake-Off.

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the old jew who begat scrooge, on his deathbed

Recommended by

  • Ally Duvak: the old jew who begat scrooge, on his deathbed by Sarah Jae Leiber
    “

    I was lucky enough to be in the same Bake-Off group as Sarah and have thought of this play regularly since. Her cleverness and frankness really shine in this.

    I was lucky enough to be in the same Bake-Off group as Sarah and have thought of this play regularly since. Her cleverness and frankness really shine in this.

    ”
  • Zoe Senese-Grossberg: the old jew who begat scrooge, on his deathbed by Sarah Jae Leiber
    “

    Sharp, funny, and at times so surprisingly beautiful. Asks all the questions about Jews in the literary canon that every Jewish reader and writer has ever been troubled by.

    Sharp, funny, and at times so surprisingly beautiful. Asks all the questions about Jews in the literary canon that every Jewish reader and writer has ever been troubled by.

    ”
  • Arthur M Jolly: the old jew who begat scrooge, on his deathbed by Sarah Jae Leiber
    “

    A witty, clever exploration into the nature of literary stereotypes and the humanity that gets bypassed when a writer - even Dickens or Shakespeare - portrays only their own preconceptions. The play is also a sweet, wonderful reflection on the meaning of life and the nature of death, and manages to encompass so much depth and heart in only ten minutes - beautifully written.

    A witty, clever exploration into the nature of literary stereotypes and the humanity that gets bypassed when a writer - even Dickens or Shakespeare - portrays only their own preconceptions. The play is also a sweet, wonderful reflection on the meaning of life and the nature of death, and manages to encompass so much depth and heart in only ten minutes - beautifully written.

    ”
View all 4 recommendations

Development History

  • Reading, McCarter Theatre Center, 2021