Preggers, or Parenthood for Virgins

by Rebecca Dzida

Arranged marriage is hard enough, but when newlyweds Mary and Joseph discover they've been chosen to raise the Son of God, it gets harder. Along with a little help from the angel Gabriel, they must learn to navigate the challenges and absurdities of love, marriage, parenthood, and destiny. (Full-length)

Arranged marriage is hard enough, but when newlyweds Mary and Joseph discover they've been chosen to raise the Son of God, it gets harder. Along with a little help from the angel Gabriel, they must learn to navigate the challenges and absurdities of love, marriage, parenthood, and destiny. (Full-length)

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Preggers, or Parenthood for Virgins

Recommended by

  • Lisa Dellagiarino Feriend: Preggers, or Parenthood for Virgins by Rebecca Dzida
    “

    I love this. It's funny and poignant and humanizes these biblical figures so well. My favorite is Joseph, maybe because he doesn't get to say anything in the Bible (which made his repeated apology, "I'm not good with words," funny in the play). It was nice getting to see such a fully developed version of Joseph react and struggle and try and love. (Also Gabriel's boundless enthusiasm for everything is fabulous.) With only three characters and not demanding an elaborate set, this would be such an easy play to stage, and without any swearing, it's also perfect for church groups.

    I love this. It's funny and poignant and humanizes these biblical figures so well. My favorite is Joseph, maybe because he doesn't get to say anything in the Bible (which made his repeated apology, "I'm not good with words," funny in the play). It was nice getting to see such a fully developed version of Joseph react and struggle and try and love. (Also Gabriel's boundless enthusiasm for everything is fabulous.) With only three characters and not demanding an elaborate set, this would be such an easy play to stage, and without any swearing, it's also perfect for church groups.

    ”
  • Bridget Grace Sheaff: Preggers, or Parenthood for Virgins by Rebecca Dzida
    “

    A charming look into a classic story we think we know. A familiar journey with a touch of mystery and laughter.

    A charming look into a classic story we think we know. A familiar journey with a touch of mystery and laughter.

    ”
  • Amanda Zeitler: Preggers, or Parenthood for Virgins by Rebecca Dzida
    “

    This is a beautiful play that examines the human side of well known biblical figures. Very funny and uplifting, but also demonstrating a keen understanding and appreciation for the original biblical stories and the beauty inherent in them.

    This is a beautiful play that examines the human side of well known biblical figures. Very funny and uplifting, but also demonstrating a keen understanding and appreciation for the original biblical stories and the beauty inherent in them.

    ”

Character Information

  • Mary
    she/her/hers, young but not a child, direct and without artifice, level-headed and only freaks out when the situation calls for it. She is, by no means, the meek, quiet figure depicted in the Bible. Mary is a modern woman for the times.
    Any
    a cis Female
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      20s
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Female
  • Joseph
    he/him/his, older but not old, awkward but endearingly so, a half-step behind most of the time but when push comes to shove he's the guy you want in your corner. He does not have a stutter; he's just really hesitant with his words. The actor does not need to follow the dashes and ellipses exactly, in this respect, but can take liberties with the cadence of Joseph's speech.
    Any
    a cis Male
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      20s,
      30s
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Male
  • Gabriel
    an angel, ageless and genderless, a messenger of God who's super stoked about the job and sometimes forgets how to relate to mere humans. Gabriel can be played by a male, female, or trans actor, but they/their pronouns are used in the script.
    Any Age
    Any
    Any gender
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      20s,
      30s,
      40s,
      50s,
      60s,
      70s+

Development History

  • Reading, Interrobang Theatre, Baltimore, 2017
  • Reading, Page to Stage at The Kennedy Center, 2016

Production History

  • Fringe, Cincinnati Lab Theatre, 2022
  • University, The Catholic University of America, 2017