James of Nazareth

by Lisa Dellagiarino Feriend

FULL LENGTH. A retelling of the Jesus story from the point of view of his younger brother, James, who is left trying to hold the family together and keep everyone out of trouble while Jesus is off preaching radical civil disobedience and a new world order.

FULL LENGTH. A retelling of the Jesus story from the point of view of his younger brother, James, who is left trying to hold the family together and keep everyone out of trouble while Jesus is off preaching radical civil disobedience and a new world order.

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James of Nazareth

Recommended by

  • Hannah Lee DeFrates: James of Nazareth

    This play. This piece is so human and beautiful and bittersweet. Just reading it, I could picture the whole thing in my mind. It's just such good writing. By giving us James' point of view, Feriend has given us a glimpse into the family drama surrounding the New Testament's main character. The familial relationships between these characters are so strong. It was sweet and sad and funny and inspiring all at the same time. I want to see this play onstage (or film) so badly. Someone please produce JAMES OF NAZARETH!!!!

    This play. This piece is so human and beautiful and bittersweet. Just reading it, I could picture the whole thing in my mind. It's just such good writing. By giving us James' point of view, Feriend has given us a glimpse into the family drama surrounding the New Testament's main character. The familial relationships between these characters are so strong. It was sweet and sad and funny and inspiring all at the same time. I want to see this play onstage (or film) so badly. Someone please produce JAMES OF NAZARETH!!!!

  • Morey Norkin: James of Nazareth

    You do not need to be a Christian or have any religious affiliation to thoroughly enjoy and be moved by this New Testament story, told from the perspective of Jesus’ brother James. Using casual modern English, Lisa Dellagiarino Feriend combines a sharp wit and warmth to bring even the most saintly characters down to earth to highlight their humanity. I would absolutely love to see this staged!

    You do not need to be a Christian or have any religious affiliation to thoroughly enjoy and be moved by this New Testament story, told from the perspective of Jesus’ brother James. Using casual modern English, Lisa Dellagiarino Feriend combines a sharp wit and warmth to bring even the most saintly characters down to earth to highlight their humanity. I would absolutely love to see this staged!

  • Colette Mazunik: James of Nazareth

    Lisa Dellagiarino Feriend has achieved a rare feat—a retelling of the Jesus story that is simultaneously utterly familiar and completely fresh. With fast-paced dialogue, this play if filled with great, rich roles for a variety of ages.

    Lisa Dellagiarino Feriend has achieved a rare feat—a retelling of the Jesus story that is simultaneously utterly familiar and completely fresh. With fast-paced dialogue, this play if filled with great, rich roles for a variety of ages.

View all 16 recommendations

Character Information

5 men, 3 women with two men doubling like so:
Actor 1: Peter + Soldier 1 + Nazarene
Actor 2: John + Soldier 2 + Nazarene
  • Girl
    Character Age
    early teens
    Character Race/Ethnic Identity
    Any
    Character Gender Identity
    Female
  • Peter
    Jesus's disciple; actor doubles as Soldier 1 + Nazarene
    Character Age
    30s/40s
    Character Race/Ethnic Identity
    Any
    Character Gender Identity
    Male
  • John
    James's and Jesus's cousin; actor doubles as Soldier 2 + Ananus + Nazarene
    Character Age
    31
    Character Race/Ethnic Identity
    Any
    Character Gender Identity
    Male
  • Two Nazarenes
    actors double as Peter/Soldier 1 and John/Soldier 2/Ananus
    Character Age
    30s/40s
    Character Race/Ethnic Identity
    Any
    Character Gender Identity
    Male
  • Soldier 1
    actor doubles as Peter + Nazarene
    Character Age
    30s/40s
    Character Race/Ethnic Identity
    Any
    Character Gender Identity
    Male
  • Soldier 2
    actor doubles as John + Nazarene + Ananus
    Character Age
    30s
    Character Race/Ethnic Identity
    Any
    Character Gender Identity
    Male
  • James
    must have the endurance to be on stage for 90 minutes
    Character Age
    28-31
    Character Race/Ethnic Identity
    Any
    Character Gender Identity
    Male
  • Jesus
    James's older brother
    Character Age
    30-33
    Character Race/Ethnic Identity
    Any
    Character Gender Identity
    Male
  • Mary
    James's and Jesus's mother
    Character Age
    late 40s
    Character Race/Ethnic Identity
    Any
    Character Gender Identity
    Female
  • Hannah
    James's wife; Daniel's mother
    Character Age
    late 20s
    Character Race/Ethnic Identity
    Any
    Character Gender Identity
    Female
  • Daniel
    James's and Hannah's son; it might be easiest to cast a 6th or 7th grader
    Character Age
    11-14
    Character Race/Ethnic Identity
    Any
    Character Gender Identity
    Male

Development History

  • Type Workshop, Organization Gulfshore Playhouse, Year 2022
  • Type Reading, Organization The Saint Sebastian Players, Year 2020

Production History

  • Type University, Organization Alvernia University, Year 2022

Awards

  • Henley Rose Playwright Competition for Women
    Yellow Rose Productions
    Finalist
    2022
  • New Works Festival
    Gulfshore Playhouse
    Selection
    2022
  • Princess Grace Award Playwriting Fellowship
    New Dramatists
    Semi-Finalist
    2021
  • Spring Play
    Free Spirit Theatre
    Semi-Finalist
    2019
  • New American Voices Playwriting Festival
    The Landing Theatre Company
    Semi-Finalist
    2020