Book of Esther

by Gina Stevensen

Within the confines of an Orthodox Jewish community in Brooklyn, a new generation of women is pushing the boundaries. Esther grew up in a loving and religious household, but she is seventeen now and can feel a larger world outside her own. Will her questioning take her too far to come home?

Within the confines of an Orthodox Jewish community in Brooklyn, a new generation of women is pushing the boundaries. Esther grew up in a loving and religious household, but she is seventeen now and can feel a larger world outside her own. Will her questioning take her too far to come home?

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Book of Esther

Recommended by

  • Maizy Broderick Scarpa: Book of Esther by Gina Stevensen
    “

    A thoughtful, insightful coming-of-age story that is both culturally-specific and universally relatable!

    A thoughtful, insightful coming-of-age story that is both culturally-specific and universally relatable!

    ”
  • Andy Boyd: Book of Esther by Gina Stevensen
    “

    I had the privilege of watching this play grow from a seed of an idea into the wonderful creation it is today. Gina has created an incredibly human and honest portrait of a community that is both next-door in Brooklyn and a cultural world apart. Her gift for dialogue will be evident to anyone who reads it but her real superpower is empathy.

    I had the privilege of watching this play grow from a seed of an idea into the wonderful creation it is today. Gina has created an incredibly human and honest portrait of a community that is both next-door in Brooklyn and a cultural world apart. Her gift for dialogue will be evident to anyone who reads it but her real superpower is empathy.

    ”
  • Elyssa Nicole Trust: Book of Esther by Gina Stevensen
    “

    Book of Esther is such a wonderful, enjoyable and thought-provoking play. Esther's journey is enticing and empowering, and it's exciting to watch her question the world around her. The playwright embeds tons of information about Judaism organically throughout the play and creates an engaging world full of dynamic, complicated characters. We read this for my theatre company's monthly reading series and we all enjoyed it and had such a thoughtful discussion after!

    Book of Esther is such a wonderful, enjoyable and thought-provoking play. Esther's journey is enticing and empowering, and it's exciting to watch her question the world around her. The playwright embeds tons of information about Judaism organically throughout the play and creates an engaging world full of dynamic, complicated characters. We read this for my theatre company's monthly reading series and we all enjoyed it and had such a thoughtful discussion after!

    ”

Development History

  • Reading, Hartford Stage, 2018
  • Reading, Columbia University, NYC, 2016
  • Workshop, KNOW Theater, Binghamton, NY, 2016

Production History

  • Workshop, Joust Theatre Company, 2017

Awards

  • Kernodle New Play Award
    Winner
    2021
  • International Playwriting Award
    Theatre503
    Finalist
    2020
  • Third Place, Jewish Playwriting Contest
    Jewish Plays Project
    2017
  • Playwriting Award
    Princess Grace
    Semi-Finalist
    2016