Babel by Jacqueline Goldfinger

“Babel” is a dark comedy set in the near future. Two couples are having trouble getting pregnant and the lengths they go to in order to have a baby raises the specter of eugenics, explores the societal value of a baby, and asks us what we are willing to risk for love. If you like Booker’s “Black Mirror,” Ishiguro’s “Never Let Me Go,” or Haley’s “The Nether,” then this play is for you. It requires four...
“Babel” is a dark comedy set in the near future. Two couples are having trouble getting pregnant and the lengths they go to in order to have a baby raises the specter of eugenics, explores the societal value of a baby, and asks us what we are willing to risk for love. If you like Booker’s “Black Mirror,” Ishiguro’s “Never Let Me Go,” or Haley’s “The Nether,” then this play is for you. It requires four characters (3F,1M) and a flexile set.
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Babel

Recommended by

  • Emma S. Rund:
    27 Feb. 2022
    “ I'm not usually a fan of science fiction or dystopian plays, but Babel achieved a level of realism that many science-fiction plays lack. The poetic language delivered just enough information for me to understand the world without overdoing the exposition. Very thought-provoking and reminiscent of a Black Mirror episode. ”
  • Cheryl Bear:
    28 Jun. 2021
    “ A thought provoking play that goes deep into the process of getting pregnant, technology and the moral questions that arise in society. Well done. ”
  • National New Play Network:
    9 Mar. 2021
    “ Babel by Jacqueline Goldfinger is receiving a National New Play Network Rolling World Premiere. The partnering NNPN Member Theaters are Unicorn Theatre (Kansas City, MO), Theatre Exile (Philadelphia, PA), and two more to be announced. ”
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This play is set in a future where genetic testing has become so fine tuned that most -isms (racism, sexism, etc) have been generally replaced with genetic discrimination. Therefore, the casting is very flexible.

Development History

Production History

Awards

Nominee
,
Blackburn Prize
,
2019
Selection
,
The Kilroy's List
,
2019
Selection
,
Independence Foundation Fellowship in the Arts
,
2017
Winner
,
Smith Prize for Political Theatre
,
2017