An Awkward Conversation in the Shadow of Mount Moriah

by John Bavoso

10-MINUTE: After luring Isaac to the top of Mount Moriah under false pretenses, binding him, and nearly sacrificing him, Abraham is faced with an even more arduous task... attempting to make small talk with his son during their walk home.

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An Awkward Conversation in the Shadow of Mount Moriah

Recommended by

David Lipschutz: An Awkward Conversation in the Shadow of Mount Moriah by John Bavoso

“

I love love love the idea of a conversation between Abraham and Isaac post near-sacrifice. AN AWKWARD CONVERSATION IN THE SHADOW OF MOUNT MORIAH is a very smart and very funny play by John Bavoso. I was lucky enough to catch the production performed with Fargo Moorhead Community Theatre, and I also listened to it with Gather by the Ghostlight.

I love love love the idea of a conversation between Abraham and Isaac post near-sacrifice. AN AWKWARD CONVERSATION IN THE SHADOW OF MOUNT MORIAH is a very smart and very funny play by John Bavoso. I was lucky enough to catch the production performed with Fargo Moorhead Community Theatre, and I also listened to it with Gather by the Ghostlight.

”
Christopher Plumridge: An Awkward Conversation in the Shadow of Mount Moriah by John Bavoso

“

A brilliant two hander, taking a biblical story, asking what happened immediately after and dealing with it by using modern dialogue! I'm amazed at what unique and clever stories playwrights keep coming up with and this is a fine example. Treat yourself to reading or watching this play, it's great!

A brilliant two hander, taking a biblical story, asking what happened immediately after and dealing with it by using modern dialogue! I'm amazed at what unique and clever stories playwrights keep coming up with and this is a fine example. Treat yourself to reading or watching this play, it's great!

”
John Busser: An Awkward Conversation in the Shadow of Mount Moriah by John Bavoso

“

I absolutely LOVED this awkward conversation and kick myself for not having thought of it already. Although after reading this, there's no way I could have done this the justice that John Bavoso has. We need more Bible followups like this to provide a counterpoint to the sometimes gruesome events of the "holy" book. Get to work John!

I absolutely LOVED this awkward conversation and kick myself for not having thought of it already. Although after reading this, there's no way I could have done this the justice that John Bavoso has. We need more Bible followups like this to provide a counterpoint to the sometimes gruesome events of the "holy" book. Get to work John!

”

View all 17 recommendations

Character Information

Abraham

A father.

Character Age

Any Age

Character Race/Ethnic Identity

Any

Character Gender Identity

he/him
Can be played by:
- Actor Age
  
  20s,
  
  30s,
  
  40s,
  
  50s,
  
  60s,
  
  70s+
- Actor Gender Identity
  
  Male,
  
  Non-binary
Isaac

A son.

Character Age

Any Age

Character Race/Ethnic Identity

Any

Character Gender Identity

he/him
Can be played by:
- Actor Age
  
  Teens,
  
  20s,
  
  30s
- Actor Gender Identity
  
  Male,
  
  Non-binary

Development History

Type Reading, Organization Gather By The Ghost Light Podcast, Year 2022
Type Reading, Organization Scriptwriters & Co, Year 2022

Production History

Type Professional, City Theatre, Year 2024
Type Professional, Organization Short+Sweet Hollywood, Year 2024
Type Community Theater, Organization Fargo Moorhead Community Theatre, Year 2023
Type Professional, Year 2023
Type Professional, Organization Santa Cruz Actors’ Theatre, Year 2023
Type Professional, Organization The Ridgefield Theater Barn, Year 2023
Type University, Organization Bates College, Year 2023
Type Professional, Barrington Stage Company , Year 2022
Type Professional, Organization Eden Prairie Players, Year 2022
Type Professional, Organization Fells Point Corner Theatre, Year 2022
Type Professional, Organization Short+Sweet South India, Year 2022
Type University, Organization Otterbein University, Year 2022

Awards

International Short Play Contest

Santa Cruz Actors’ Theatre

Winner

2023
Autumn S&Co Scratch Night

Scriptwriters & Co.

Winner

2022

Genre

comedy,

fable/folktale,

period

Subject Matter Keywords

Abraham,

Isaac,

fathers and sons

Length

ten minutes

Cast Size

Age of Intended Audience

all ages

Narrative Attributes

Centers LGBTQ Characters

Reviews

BroadwayWorld Rockland/Westchester

“
Writer John Bavoso did, and the result is his clever, thoughtful and well-performed An Awkward Conversation in the Shadow of Mount Moriah... Also admirable about Bavoso's strong work here is the organic nature of the humor. There are no cheap laughs, only well-earned ones.
”
The Berkshire Eagle

“
Bavoso has written this anything but awkward “Conversation … “ with wry wit and insight... “An Awkward Conversation …“ not only is about faith and trust, it is about the difficulties of navigating a meaningful, complicated relationship — several relationships, in fact — with openness and honesty.
”
Berkshire Bright Focus

“
One of the funniest scripts in the group, the modern language take on these Biblical folk brings a new understanding to a near-tragic event. I could watch this play countless times and find more things in it each time.
”
Times Union

“
One of the best entries is "An Awkward Conversation in the Shadow of Mount Moriah," in which author John Bavoso imagines the father-son conversation that followed the Bible's account in Genesis of Abraham (Robert Zukerman) being willing to sacrifice son Isaac (Doug Harris) because God told him to.
”