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
Three actors are double cast playing their parents in the first half of the play and the children in the second half
Alan Zuckerman/David Zuckerman
33,
White
,
Male
Can be played by:
Age:
30s
Race/Ethnicity:
White
Gender:
Male
Laura Zuckerman/Beth Zuckerman
Late 20s/early 30s,
White
,
Female
Can be played by:
Age:
20s, 30s
Race/Ethnicity:
White
Gender:
Female
Gary Gerber/David Gerber
early 30s,
White
,
Male
Can be played by:
Age:
30s
Race/Ethnicity:
White
Gender:
Male
Gary Gerber (Act Two)
60s,
White
,
Male
Can be played by:
Age:
60s
Race/Ethnicity:
White
Gender:
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