Gehinnom

by Sofya Levitsky-Weitz

A middle-aged man meets his biological mother for the first time in hopes that he will learn the identity of his biological father. Almost 50 years earlier, a pregnant 16 year old is enclosed in an apartment by her parents to wait to give birth to a baby who will be immediately put up for adoption. In the center of it all, a rumination on Hell and shame. Gehinnom attempts a structure similar to the Talmud, the...

A middle-aged man meets his biological mother for the first time in hopes that he will learn the identity of his biological father. Almost 50 years earlier, a pregnant 16 year old is enclosed in an apartment by her parents to wait to give birth to a baby who will be immediately put up for adoption. In the center of it all, a rumination on Hell and shame. Gehinnom attempts a structure similar to the Talmud, the concentric circles of commentary surrounding the Torah, and explores faith, abuse, modern and ancient Judaism, motherhood, gender and the lies we tell ourselves and our families.

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Gehinnom

Recommended by

  • Nick Malakhow: Gehinnom

    Truly exquisite work--lyrical and rich poetry co-exists here with extraordinarily naturalistic and well-observed speech. Levitsky-Weitz examines sexual violence against women and its intersection with family trauma and cycles, Judaism and its evolution, and identity. The storytelling here and the use of time and space is so theatrical and well-executed. The stage images and dualities of Lily/Lillith are haunting. The poetry, particularly a huge and sprawling moment of heightened poetry in the middle of the play, renders both rich internal and external life for Lily, Lillith, and Eleanor. I...

    Truly exquisite work--lyrical and rich poetry co-exists here with extraordinarily naturalistic and well-observed speech. Levitsky-Weitz examines sexual violence against women and its intersection with family trauma and cycles, Judaism and its evolution, and identity. The storytelling here and the use of time and space is so theatrical and well-executed. The stage images and dualities of Lily/Lillith are haunting. The poetry, particularly a huge and sprawling moment of heightened poetry in the middle of the play, renders both rich internal and external life for Lily, Lillith, and Eleanor. I would love to see this piece performed live.

  • Shaun Leisher: Gehinnom

    i feel like it’s so rare that I find myself truly surprised by a direction a play goes so that when it happens I fall hard for it. This is one of those plays. Also it’s about memory so it’s really up my alley. And it features three killer roles for women of various ages. A ghost story told about trauma that will haunt audiences.

    i feel like it’s so rare that I find myself truly surprised by a direction a play goes so that when it happens I fall hard for it. This is one of those plays. Also it’s about memory so it’s really up my alley. And it features three killer roles for women of various ages. A ghost story told about trauma that will haunt audiences.

  • Lily Houghton: Gehinnom

    One of my favorite plays of all time. Truly breathtaking.

    One of my favorite plays of all time. Truly breathtaking.

Awards

  • Princess Grace
    New Dramatists
    Semi-Finalist
    2017
  • Writing Fellowship
    The Playwrights' Realm
    Semi-Finalist
    2017