Be a Mensch

by Daniel Takacs

[Full-Length] When the eldest son and breadwinner of a poor Jewish family in Cleveland is accepted into his dream college, he must beg his family for the small fee he needs to enroll, but they have no intention of letting him escape.

[Full-Length] When the eldest son and breadwinner of a poor Jewish family in Cleveland is accepted into his dream college, he must beg his family for the small fee he needs to enroll, but they have no intention of letting him escape.

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Be a Mensch

Recommended by

  • Audrey Lang: Be a Mensch by Daniel Takacs
    “

    I had the chance to read this play as a reader for the Jewish Plays Project's 15th Contest, and appreciated seeing a story that I haven't frequently seen told: a modern-day Jewish family living in poverty. A really theatrical and engaging play and I look forward to its future life! #JPP15thContest

    I had the chance to read this play as a reader for the Jewish Plays Project's 15th Contest, and appreciated seeing a story that I haven't frequently seen told: a modern-day Jewish family living in poverty. A really theatrical and engaging play and I look forward to its future life! #JPP15thContest

    ”
  • David Hansen: Be a Mensch by Daniel Takacs
    “

    Takacs has created a modern sit-com with Be a Mensch, a Jewish Glass Menagerie (complete with fragile unicorn) in which the eldest son is also faced to choose between his family and self-determination, dominated by a larger-than-life absent father figure. Only in this case Abram is not dreamily self-involved as Tom Wingfield is, but harshly realistic. It's a coming of age story, one with a much more satisfying, if troubling, conclusion than Tennessee Williams's memory play. Highly recommended!

    Takacs has created a modern sit-com with Be a Mensch, a Jewish Glass Menagerie (complete with fragile unicorn) in which the eldest son is also faced to choose between his family and self-determination, dominated by a larger-than-life absent father figure. Only in this case Abram is not dreamily self-involved as Tom Wingfield is, but harshly realistic. It's a coming of age story, one with a much more satisfying, if troubling, conclusion than Tennessee Williams's memory play. Highly recommended!

    ”
Abram “Abe” Golden: 18
Alexandria “Lexa” Golden: 16
Beth Golden-Scheiner: 30s-50s
Francesca “Frankie” Morales: 18, Latina
"The Man” plays three other roles:
---Solomon Golden: 40s-60s
---Larry Scheiner: 30s-50s
---Stan McCan: 30s-50's
Nigel He: 20's, Asian American (can be doubled with Abe, or The Man)

Development History

  • Reading, Boston University, 2017