Arsonist

by Jacqueline Goldfinger

A father-daughter arson team burns their relationship to the ground, and then rise from the ashes. ARSONIST is lyrical, heartbreaking, and darkly funny play with music about the eternal bond between parent and child.

A father-daughter arson team burns their relationship to the ground, and then rise from the ashes. ARSONIST is lyrical, heartbreaking, and darkly funny play with music about the eternal bond between parent and child.

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Arsonist

Recommended by

  • Beth Kander: Arsonist by Jacqueline Goldfinger
    “

    This was the first play I ever read on NPX, years ago, and I still think about it. Highly recommend.

    This was the first play I ever read on NPX, years ago, and I still think about it. Highly recommend.

    ”
  • Tyler Joseph Rossi: Arsonist by Jacqueline Goldfinger
    “

    I've always been a big fan of music in plays. Goldfinger uses it to great effect, here. THE ARSONISTS is a well of inspiration for playwrights in terms of breaking the molds of style.

    The play has a lot to say about letting go... so much so that I find myself returning to it again and again.

    I've always been a big fan of music in plays. Goldfinger uses it to great effect, here. THE ARSONISTS is a well of inspiration for playwrights in terms of breaking the molds of style.

    The play has a lot to say about letting go... so much so that I find myself returning to it again and again.

    ”
  • Paul Donnelly: Arsonist by Jacqueline Goldfinger
    “

    The Arsonists offers vigorous, vital and wholly compelling storytelling, both by the characters and in the central narrative. M. faces the excruciatingly difficult task of letting go and there is real suspense in watching her reluctantly make the choices and take the actions that allow her to finally do so. There were so many moments in which I was shaken in a way that "moved" doesn't quite capture by scenes of harrowing emotional resonance enacted with clarity or described with elegant simplicity.

    The Arsonists offers vigorous, vital and wholly compelling storytelling, both by the characters and in the central narrative. M. faces the excruciatingly difficult task of letting go and there is real suspense in watching her reluctantly make the choices and take the actions that allow her to finally do so. There were so many moments in which I was shaken in a way that "moved" doesn't quite capture by scenes of harrowing emotional resonance enacted with clarity or described with elegant simplicity.

    ”
View all 16 recommendations

Character Information

This is a father-daughter play so it is very important that they feel like family.
  • H
    50+
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      50s,
      60s,
      70s+
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Male
  • M
    Late-20s+
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      20s,
      30s,
      40s
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Female

Development History

  • Reading, La MaMa International Writer's Showcase, 2016
  • Workshop, Fellowship with Wendy MacLeod, Kenyon Playwrights Conference, 2015
  • Workshop, Dakin Fellowship with Paula Vogel and Dan O'Brien, Sewanee Writers Conference, 2015
  • Reading, Kennedy Center Page-to-Stage Festival, 2015
  • Reading, NNPN New Play Showcase, 2015

Production History

  • Professional, Relentless Theatre, 2021
  • Professional, Duluth Playhouse, 2020
  • Professional, DENIZEN Theatre, 2019
  • Professional, The Court Theatre, New Zealand, 2019
  • Professional, Benchmark Theatre, 2018
  • Professional, Palaver Tree Theatre, 2018
  • Professional, Perseverance Theatre, 2018
  • Professional, Thrown Stone Theatre Company, 2018
  • Professional, Azuka Theatre, 2017
  • University, Washington College, 2017

Awards

  • Leah Ryan Prize
    Runner Up
    2016