Finding Mr. Rightstein

by Nancy Davidoff Kelton

Joanna, a divorced woman of 50, journeys towards forgiveness, finding a home for her mother, finding herself, and finding a mensch of a partner. Her mother suffers from mental illness and spends time in an institution, which Joanna called “the nervous hospital” when she was little. Her struggles with her mother, the family, and the Wrongstein men she dates and tries to love along with her growth as a...

Joanna, a divorced woman of 50, journeys towards forgiveness, finding a home for her mother, finding herself, and finding a mensch of a partner. Her mother suffers from mental illness and spends time in an institution, which Joanna called “the nervous hospital” when she was little. Her struggles with her mother, the family, and the Wrongstein men she dates and tries to love along with her growth as a complicated woman playing many roles, are dramatized with humor and pain.

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Finding Mr. Rightstein

Recommended by

  • Jarred Corona: Finding Mr. Rightstein by Nancy Davidoff Kelton
    “

    The little things we're told when we're children have a habit of sticking to us, especially when repeated. A few off comments become a tattoo we're sure everyone else can see. How do we heal our inner child? I'm not entirely sure. Therapy helps. Love helps. Friendship helps. Jokes help. Laugh through the grief when you can. But mostly, it's time. If we're lucky, we get enough of it to move on, to start to heal, to find new ways to be happy with ourselves and others. This play is at times quite amusing and at times painful. Well done.

    The little things we're told when we're children have a habit of sticking to us, especially when repeated. A few off comments become a tattoo we're sure everyone else can see. How do we heal our inner child? I'm not entirely sure. Therapy helps. Love helps. Friendship helps. Jokes help. Laugh through the grief when you can. But mostly, it's time. If we're lucky, we get enough of it to move on, to start to heal, to find new ways to be happy with ourselves and others. This play is at times quite amusing and at times painful. Well done.

    ”
  • Jewish Plays Project: Finding Mr. Rightstein by Nancy Davidoff Kelton
    “

    The Jewish Plays Project encourages FINDING MR. RIGHTSTEIN as a Honorable Mention for the 11th annual Jewish Playwriting Contest. This play sparked a rigorous discussion with our community of readers as an exciting, engaging, and moving play that resonated with contemporary Jewish life. FINDING MR. RIGHTSTEIN rose to the top out of 250 plays, and we hope this piece finds opportunities for further development so this contemporary Jewish story can reach new audiences.

    The Jewish Plays Project encourages FINDING MR. RIGHTSTEIN as a Honorable Mention for the 11th annual Jewish Playwriting Contest. This play sparked a rigorous discussion with our community of readers as an exciting, engaging, and moving play that resonated with contemporary Jewish life. FINDING MR. RIGHTSTEIN rose to the top out of 250 plays, and we hope this piece finds opportunities for further development so this contemporary Jewish story can reach new audiences.

    ”

Development History

  • Reading, The Jewish Repertory Theatre of Western New York, 2021

Awards

  • Jewish Plays Project 11 Annual Competition
    Jewish Plays Project
    Honorable Mention
    2022