Beshert

by Daniel Kushner

In 1928 on the Lower East Side, two men, Herschel, a Jew, and Nour, a Syrian immigrant, run a successful dry cleaners together. Upon purchasing the newest steam iron, their business booms. Yet these lovers have a great secret to protect. To avoid suspicion, Herschel allows a nosy matchmaker to set him up with Zelda, one of the neighborhood’s richest debutantes. But when Zelda learns the truth about them, the two...

In 1928 on the Lower East Side, two men, Herschel, a Jew, and Nour, a Syrian immigrant, run a successful dry cleaners together. Upon purchasing the newest steam iron, their business booms. Yet these lovers have a great secret to protect. To avoid suspicion, Herschel allows a nosy matchmaker to set him up with Zelda, one of the neighborhood’s richest debutantes. But when Zelda learns the truth about them, the two men must do everything to protect themselves and their secrets, even if it means siphoning off their growing business one piece at a time.

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Beshert

Recommended by

  • Premiere Stages at Kean University: Beshert by Daniel Kushner
    “

    Premiere Stages, the professional Equity theatre in residence at Kean University, is pleased to recognize Beshert by Daniel Kushner as a Semi-Finalist for the 2026 Premiere Play Festival. Beshert rose through a competitive process to become one of 65 Semi-Finalists out of 894 submissions. Our panel was engaged by the touching exploration of an intercultural, queer relationship in the 1920s-- and the social implications of that relationship. Our congratulations and thanks to Daniel.

    Premiere Stages, the professional Equity theatre in residence at Kean University, is pleased to recognize Beshert by Daniel Kushner as a Semi-Finalist for the 2026 Premiere Play Festival. Beshert rose through a competitive process to become one of 65 Semi-Finalists out of 894 submissions. Our panel was engaged by the touching exploration of an intercultural, queer relationship in the 1920s-- and the social implications of that relationship. Our congratulations and thanks to Daniel.

    ”

Character Information

  • Nour
    co-owner of the dry cleaner
    late 20s
    Middle Eastern, North African, or South Asian -- Syrian
    Male
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      20s,
      30s
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      Middle Eastern, North African, or Arab American
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Man,
      Non-binary
  • Herschel
    co-owner of the dry cleaner
    late 20s
    Jewish
    Male
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      20s,
      30s
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      White
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Man,
      Non-binary
  • Zelda
    Koppel’s daughter
    20s
    Jewish
    Female
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      20s
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      White
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Non-binary,
      Woman
  • Koppel
    businessman, Zelda’s father
    late 40s
    Jewish
    Male
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      30s,
      40s,
      50s
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      White
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Man
  • Ruchul
    matchmaker
    60s
    Jewish
    Female
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      50s,
      60s,
      70s+
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      White
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Woman
  • Yousef
    police officer, Nour’s brother
    late 30s
    Middle Eastern, North African, or South Asian -- Syrian
    Male
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      30s
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      Middle Eastern, North African, or Arab American
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Man
  • Rory
    police officer
    late 20s
    Irish
    Male
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      20s,
      30s
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      White
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Man,
      Non-binary

Development History

  • Reading, New York Classical Theatre, 2026