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.
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the old jew who begat scrooge, on his deathbed

Recommended by

  • Ally Duvak:
    26 Mar. 2024
    “ 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:
    5 Oct. 2023
    “ 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:
    26 Mar. 2022
    “ 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. ”
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stein — a curmudgeonly but kind old jewish man, dying before our eyes
past — shylock as played by al pacino
present — scrooge, post-redemption, as played by michael caine
future — the marvelous mrs. maisel as played by rachel brosnahan

Development History

  • Reading
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    McCarter Theatre Center
    ,
    2021