Lafayette Travels Through Time

by Beth Harpaz

The Marquis de Lafayette comes to life out of a sculpture on July 4, 2026, the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. With him is a Black soldier, James Armistead, who served with him in the war. The two men find out that the democracy they fought for is in peril after speaking with an interracial lesbian couple on a Brooklyn street. They also find out that a Broadway show called...

The Marquis de Lafayette comes to life out of a sculpture on July 4, 2026, the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. With him is a Black soldier, James Armistead, who served with him in the war. The two men find out that the democracy they fought for is in peril after speaking with an interracial lesbian couple on a Brooklyn street. They also find out that a Broadway show called "Hamilton" has made Lafayette a hero to a new generation. But can they use their time travel skills to alter history and save democracy in the 21st century?

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Lafayette Travels Through Time

Recommended by

  • Daniel Emlyn-Jones: Lafayette Travels Through Time by Beth Harpaz
    “

    A clever play with an original and compelling premise. As a Brit I'm afraid to say I hadn't heard of Lafayette, but I can't think of a better introduction to this history. A truly entertaining and beautifully handled piece of drama, but with a vital and important message.

    A clever play with an original and compelling premise. As a Brit I'm afraid to say I hadn't heard of Lafayette, but I can't think of a better introduction to this history. A truly entertaining and beautifully handled piece of drama, but with a vital and important message.

    ”

Character Information

A Black woman, a Black man, a white woman and a white man, and a fifth character who could be played by either a white or a Black man. The white man playing Lafayette must be able to do a French accent and read a few basic words in French.
  • Lafayette
    Must be able to do a French accent and read a few basic French words
    any adult age
    White
    Male
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      20s,
      30s,
      40s,
      50s,
      60s,
      70s+
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      White
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Man
  • James Armistead
    Black man.
    any age
    African American/Black
    Male
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      20s,
      30s,
      40s,
      50s,
      60s,
      70s+
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      Black, African, Caribbean, or African American
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Man
  • Claudette
    20-50
    African American/Black
    Female
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      20s,
      30s,
      40s
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      Black, African, Caribbean, or African American
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Woman
  • Shira
    20-50
    Jewish -- White
    Female
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      20s,
      30s,
      40s
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      White
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Woman
  • Dr. Larry Braunstein
    This character is based on a real person (now deceased) who was a middle-aged white Jewish man. But the character can be played by either a Black or white actor, age 25 or up.
    middle aged
    Male
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      20s,
      30s,
      40s,
      50s,
      60s,
      70s+
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Man

Development History

  • Reading, Old Stone House (historic site), Brooklyn, NY, 2026
  • Workshop, Valdez Theatre Conference, Valdez, Alaska, 2026