←Recommendations of On the Eighth Day of Hanukkah My True Love Gave to Me

I've recommended this play once before, as a reader but recently I had the great honour of producing it as an audio play for Theatrical Shenanigans. In being able to bring Morey's characters to life I was able to see what wonderful touching moments there are between the characters you see and those you don't. Its a wonderful play that is beautiful and funny in equal measure and offers two lovely juicy parts for older performers. A true joy to produce! Just needs to go live now!

I love to see a play for older actors, & Irv & Sheila have a lot to play with in this sweet-and-salty 10 minutes. This piece could fit equally well on stage as part of an evening of holiday shorts, or as an entertainment offering in an actual nursing home. Wherever it’s seen, the audience will be reminded of the miracle of human connection.

A sharp, funny, and truly moving play in which the best kind of holiday miracle happens--cynicism meets its match in the power of love. Yes, maybe oil can last eight days, but it's love that can endure and light our way much longer.

An incredibly sweet play by Morey Norkin. Irv, a holiday cynic, has received a card, but the sender is a mystery and he’s hesitant to open it. Fellow Hebrew Home for the Aged resident, Sheila, convinces him to go for it and what he finds inside is the best gift he could hope for. As sweet Sheila puts it (after drying her eyes): “…this is what I call the miracle of Hanukkah!”

Oy, I'm verklempt from reading this lovely short play. Norkin does a wonderful job of setting up the situation and, though handled simply and sweetly, it packs a powerful punch for anyone who has lost a loved one. Favorite line is where Irv asks how Irving Berlin, Jewish, could write a great Christmas song and asks "Why didn't he write 'I'm dreaming of some nice latkes'. Hilarious.

Such a sweet play about how love endures even death, and can reach past the veil to still help us when we're struggling. You'll come to love Irv and Sheila both, with their differing attitudes about living and loving. Better to "light a single candle than curse the darkness" and we've got nine candles here to set the heart ablaze. Playwright Morey Norkin writes with great sensitivity and craft. Kudos for writing two fabulous roles for elders!

ON THE EIGHTH DAY OF HANUKKAH MY TRUE LOVE GAVE TO ME is a wonderful and sweet play with Jewish themes (if the title didn't give that away!). Morey Norkin's writing had me reminiscing about my Bubbie and Zayde, of blessed memory. As a bonus, it is a great opportunity with roles for older actors.

This sweet little play has me getting all misty in a coffee shop. How dare you, Morey!
Seriously, though, this piece is a lovely reminder of "the reason for the season." It would be easy to produce in a number of flexible ways, and it just warms the heart.

I never realized Hanukkah had a Grinch, but Irv(ing), a few months into his residency in the Hebrew Home for the Aged, seems determined to play the role. But then a long-belated message from his late wife, and the upbeat personality of fellow-resident Sheila, renew his interest in the holiday. The play's last two words are open to a variety of future possibilities. Delightful holiday work from Morey Norkin.

A lovely and moving holiday play that also manages to be very funny. With two great roles for older actors, this would be a wonderful addition to any festival of short holiday plays.