Grape Leaves by Alexander Attea

Marcus Mansour, third-generation Lebanese-American, helps his family run the annual Lebanese Festival at his church in a changing Buffalo, NY during the worsening climate crisis. His sister is embroiled in a toxic relationship, his dad has announced his remarriage, and worst of all, his grandma won't share the family recipes. So when the new priest asks him to take charge of the festival's operations...
Marcus Mansour, third-generation Lebanese-American, helps his family run the annual Lebanese Festival at his church in a changing Buffalo, NY during the worsening climate crisis. His sister is embroiled in a toxic relationship, his dad has announced his remarriage, and worst of all, his grandma won't share the family recipes. So when the new priest asks him to take charge of the festival's operations, Marcus sees an opportunity to gain a deeper understanding and connection with himself and his identity.
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Grape Leaves

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Character Information

  • MARCUS
    20s,
    Middle Eastern American
    ,
    a man
    Lost in a curious way, then in a lost way.
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      20s
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      Middle Eastern, North African, or Arab American, White
    • Gender: 
      Male
  • ROSIE
    20s,
    Middle Eastern American
    ,
    a woman
    Not-so-successfully hiding her impatience for other people. And herself.
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      20s
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      Middle Eastern, North African, or Arab American, White
    • Gender: 
      Female
  • ELIAS
    40s-50s,
    Middle Eastern American
    ,
    a man
    Trying so hard to be liked by everyone.
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      40s, 50s
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      Middle Eastern, North African, or Arab American, White
    • Gender: 
      Male
  • GRANDMA THERESA
    60s-70s,
    Middle Eastern
    ,
    a woman
    Gentle, opinionated, and resolutely not listening to anyone else.
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      60s, 70s+
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      Middle Eastern, North African, or Arab American
    • Gender: 
      Female
  • BOYFRIEND BILLY / HUSBAND BILL
    20s-30s,
    Any
    ,
    a man
    Moms love Boyfriend Billy.
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      20s, 30s
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      White
    • Gender: 
      Male
  • NAOMI
    30s,
    Any
    ,
    a woman
    Not easily surprised.
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      30s, 40s
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      Any race/ethnicity
    • Gender: 
      Female
  • COUSIN KENNY
    40s-50s,
    Middle Eastern American
    ,
    a man
    In constant pursuit of bygone glory days.
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      40s, 50s
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      Middle Eastern, North African, or Arab American
    • Gender: 
      Male
  • KATIE
    20s,
    Middle Eastern American
    ,
    a woman
    So chill, like ridiculously chill, like how does she do it?
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      20s
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      Middle Eastern, North African, or Arab American
    • Gender: 
      Female
  • FATHER DAOUD
    30s-40s,
    Middle Eastern
    ,
    a man
    If he wasn’t a priest he would’ve been a pretty good local politician.
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      30s, 40s
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      Middle Eastern, North African, or Arab American
    • Gender: 
      Male
  • MAROUN
    any age,
    Middle Eastern
    ,
    a man
    Can be doubled with FATHER DAOUD.
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      20s, 30s, 40s, 50s, 60s
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      Middle Eastern, North African, or Arab American
    • Gender: 
      Male

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