Flatbush Lysistrata

by Lila Rachel Becker

Leah, Gali, and Shoshi gather at an axe-throwing parlor to plan a sex strike. They kibbitz, they scheme, they hurl axes. Also, there are a lot of interesting birds. A play about fundamentalism: what draws us to it and how women carve spaces for themselves within it.

Leah, Gali, and Shoshi gather at an axe-throwing parlor to plan a sex strike. They kibbitz, they scheme, they hurl axes. Also, there are a lot of interesting birds. A play about fundamentalism: what draws us to it and how women carve spaces for themselves within it.

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Flatbush Lysistrata

Recommended by

  • Nick Malakhow: Flatbush Lysistrata by Lila Rachel Becker
    “

    I really loved how this piece captured and subverted the themes/story of Lysistrata, examining the patriarchy in a wholly different social, cultural, and religious context than the original text. All of the characters were deftly drawn and, in particular, I was amazed at how much of the wider social context of the Hasidic community was captured with just four bodies onstage. The piece moves briskly and kept me excited throughout to see all of the subtle yet seismic shifts in character/culture.

    I really loved how this piece captured and subverted the themes/story of Lysistrata, examining the patriarchy in a wholly different social, cultural, and religious context than the original text. All of the characters were deftly drawn and, in particular, I was amazed at how much of the wider social context of the Hasidic community was captured with just four bodies onstage. The piece moves briskly and kept me excited throughout to see all of the subtle yet seismic shifts in character/culture.

    ”

Character Information

  • Leah
    EVA's aunt, strong moral compass, serious, reads a lot, a lifelong learner, a shit-stirrer, not warm but kind
    late 50-early 60s
    Female
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      50s,
      60s
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      Middle Eastern, North African, or Arab American,
      White
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Woman
  • Gali
    earnest, optimistic, well-liked, a curious child who grew into a less curious adult
    early/mid 20s
    Female
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      20s
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      Middle Eastern, North African, or Arab American,
      White
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Woman
  • Shoshi
    ferocious, blunt, loyal, smart, a troublemaker, a pariah, rage just under the surface
    late 20s/early 30s
    Female
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      20s,
      30s
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      Middle Eastern, North African, or Arab American,
      White
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Woman
  • Eva
    LEAH's niece, off the derech, shy, studious, loner, more at home with animals than people
    early/mid 20s
    Female or genderfluid or non-binary
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      20s
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      Middle Eastern, North African, or Arab American,
      White
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Woman,
      Non-binary