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:
    24 Jan. 2022
    “ 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
    late 30s,
    White
    ,
    Female
    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.
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      30s
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      White
    • Gender: 
      Female
  • Yusuf/Agent Haskel/Sam
    late 30s to late 40s,
    Any Race or Ethnicity
    ,
    Male
    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.
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      30s, 40s
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      Any race/ethnicity
    • Gender: 
      Male
  • Edie Jacobs
    late 60s,
    White
    ,
    Female
    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.
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      60s
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      White
    • Gender: 
      Female
  • Miriam Jacobs
    late 30s to early 40s,
    White
    ,
    Female
    A fiercely liberal linguistics professor who has been at odds with her conservative brother Paul since childhood. She believes Yusuf is a political refugee.
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      30s, 40s
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      White
    • Gender: 
      Female
  • Paul Jacobs
    mid 40s,
    European Jewish
    ,
    Male
    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.
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      40s
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      White
    • Gender: 
      Male
  • Sybil Gonzalaz
    Late 30s to early 40s,
    Person of Color
    ,
    Female
    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.
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      30s, 40s
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      Any actor of color
    • Gender: 
      Female

Development History

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

Awards

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