Exquisite Potential

PRODUCTIONS: Jewish Repertory Theatre, Theatre Ariel, Dezart Performs, Project Rushmore; WINNER: NJ Playwrights Contest, Across the Generations New Jewish Play Festival, FINALIST: Woodward/Newman Award, SEMI-FINALIST: Seven Devils.
All parents think their children are great. Alan Zuckerman just happens to think his 3-year-old son, David, is the Messiah. Thirty years ago, Alan and his wife, Laura,...
PRODUCTIONS: Jewish Repertory Theatre, Theatre Ariel, Dezart Performs, Project Rushmore; WINNER: NJ Playwrights Contest, Across the Generations New Jewish Play Festival, FINALIST: Woodward/Newman Award, SEMI-FINALIST: Seven Devils.
All parents think their children are great. Alan Zuckerman just happens to think his 3-year-old son, David, is the Messiah. Thirty years ago, Alan and his wife, Laura, visit their rabbi to verify David’s possible divine nature. Thirty years later, everyone older and wiser, it appears that Dad might have been onto something.
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Exquisite Potential

Recommended by

  • Cheryl Bear:
    19 Jan. 2021
    Talk about parental expectations! A funny, insightful comedy that takes a good look at the lengths to which a child is expected to rise. Well done.
  • Rosa Nagle:
    17 Jun. 2017
    This play is equal parts funny and thought-provoking, as it takes an absurd premise, Alan, a father believes his 3-year-old son is the Messiah, and explores the pros and cons of this idea. There is always lingering doubt throughout, "what if?" It's wonderful that the question is never definitively answered. Example- young David has drawn a painting for Rabbi Gerber. He has spelled "Emet" in Hebrew, Rabbi believes. But has he? The dialogue in Act I is quick, and funny. Act II, thirty years later, is touching. It explores the outcome, relationships and family, when one child, "Messiah", is favored.
  • Donna Hoke:
    8 Jul. 2015
    Stephen Kaplan has a fine-tuned sense of comedy, but that doesn't mean he doesn't have anything to say. Quite the opposite, this comedy serves as biting commentary on the culture of helicopter parents who believe every child is destined for great things--and what happens when the child doesn't quite live up.

Character Information

  • Alan Zuckerman/David Zuckerman
    33,
    White
    ,
    Male
  • Laura Zuckerman/Beth Zuckerman
    Late 20s/early 30s,
    White
    ,
    Female
  • Gary Gerber/David Gerber
    early 30s,
    White
    ,
    Male
  • Gary Gerber (Act Two)
    60s,
    White
    ,
    Male

Development History

  • Reading
    ,
    Hudson Stage Company
    ,
    2016
  • Reading
    ,
    Interplay Jewish Theatre
    ,
    2015
  • Reading
    ,
    Lark Play Development Center
    ,
    2013
  • Reading
    ,
    Project Rushmore Theatre Company
    ,
    2012
  • Workshop
    ,
    True False Theatre Polygraph Tests
    ,
    2012
  • Reading
    ,
    The Garage Theatre
    ,
    2011

Production History

  • Professional
    ,
    Jewish Repertory Theatre of Western New York
    ,
    2021
  • Professional
    ,
    Theatre Ariel
    ,
    2019
  • Professional
    ,
    Project Rushmore
    ,
    2014
  • Professional
    ,
    New Jersey Playwrights Contest
    ,
    2013
  • Professional
    ,
    Dezart Performs
    ,
    2013

Awards

Semi-Finalist
,
Seven Devils Theatre Conference
Winner
,
New Jersey Playwrights Contest
Winner
,
True False Theatre, Second Annual Polygraph Tests Residency
Winner
,
Across The Generations New Jewish Play Festival
Winner
,
Dezart Performs' Play Reading Series