The Shiva of Ethel Zimmerman (a work in development)

by Elana Gartner

The shiva for Grandma Ethel was supposed to be for mourning. But death brings out the quirky and they are showing up with food, surprise guests and secrets. Her daughter, Vera, struggles to understand more of who her mother was and must figure out how to move forward with her life now that she is gone. Please join us in creating community at the shiva of Ethel Zimmerman.

The shiva for Grandma Ethel was supposed to be for mourning. But death brings out the quirky and they are showing up with food, surprise guests and secrets. Her daughter, Vera, struggles to understand more of who her mother was and must figure out how to move forward with her life now that she is gone. Please join us in creating community at the shiva of Ethel Zimmerman.

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The Shiva of Ethel Zimmerman (a work in development)

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  • Audrey Lang: The Shiva of Ethel Zimmerman (a work in development) by Elana Gartner
    “

    This felt like a genuine representation of so many of the Jewish people I know, and I appreciated the focus on cultural rather than just religious Judaism -- while still giving the religion a place of importance that is authentic to Ethel, the unseen character being remembered. I loved the playwright's specificity of multiple spaces being visible at once, not allowing the characters to escape the shiva and the other people there. A truly human story. #JPP15thContest

    This felt like a genuine representation of so many of the Jewish people I know, and I appreciated the focus on cultural rather than just religious Judaism -- while still giving the religion a place of importance that is authentic to Ethel, the unseen character being remembered. I loved the playwright's specificity of multiple spaces being visible at once, not allowing the characters to escape the shiva and the other people there. A truly human story. #JPP15thContest

    ”
VERA: A 60’s something Caucasian woman, Jewish by birth, not practice, who has just lost her own mother. Married twice. Divorced the second time.
AUDREY: A late 20’s, early 30’s something Caucasian woman, Jewish by birth, not usually by practice, who has just lost her grandmother.
DAMIEN: A late 20’s, early 30s something Caucasian man, Jewish by birth, not often by practice. Audrey’s best friend since nursery school. Gay and out. Like a member of Audrey’s family.
LAILA: A 60’s something Caucasian woman, Jewish by birth, not practice, who has just lost her mother. Lawyer in Idaho.
SUE: A 90 something Caucasian woman, Polish Jewish by birth. More of a spitfire than she initially appears.
ISAAC: A 20 something man, any ethnicity. Yoga instructor for women over the age of 50. Boyfriend to LAILA.
NATE: A 60’s something Caucasian man, Jewish by birth, not practice. VERA’s ex-husband and AUDREY’s step-father.
REGGIE: An 80 or 90 something man, Jewish by birth and practicing. Next door neighbor to the deceased.
RABBI: A 40’s/50’s female rabbi. Kind, understanding.

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