Bar Mitzvah Boy
- Publisher
- Playwrights Canada Press
- Initial publish date
- May 2020
- Category
- Canadian
-
Paperback / softback
- ISBN
- 9780369100689
- Publish Date
- May 2020
- List Price
- $17.95
-
eBook
- ISBN
- 9780369100702
- Publish Date
- Apr 2020
- List Price
- $12.99
Classroom Resources
Where to buy it
Description
Joey Brant needs to have a bar mitzvah immediately. Like, next Tuesday. Except he’s not thirteen, the usual age for the Jewish milestone. He’s in his sixties. A task he thinks he could quickly cross off his to-do list becomes a deep immersion into the faith he no longer follows when he meets Rabbi Michael Levitz-Sharon.
Michael’s personal life is hanging together by a thread. Her preteen daughter is being treated for cancer, which has put a strain on her marriage and her beliefs. Between her duties as rabbi, mother, and wife, she doesn’t have much time or energy to spare. So, when she finds Joey in her office on Shabbat asking for immediate help, she refuses.
Eventually Joey wins Michael over and they embark on a crash bar mitzvah course, leading the two into a series of reflections on their own faith and family. Through the genuine connection established between Joey and Michael, this sentimental dramedy will charm anyone who has ever questioned why bad things happen to good people.
About the author
Mark Leiren-Young is a writer, documentary filmmaker, playwright, podcaster and orca activist. His book The Killer Whale Who Changed the World won the Science Writers and Communicators of Canada general audience book award. He wrote, directed and produced an award-winning documentary The Hundred-Year-Old Whale, and his documentary about Moby Doll is being produced by Middle Child Films. Mark hosts Skaana, a podcast about orca and ocean stories and is actively involved in the fight for the survival of the endangered southern residents. Mark has written for other young audiences for ABC, PBS, YTV, Treehouse and BBC Kids. His books for young readers include Big Whale, Small World, Orcas of the Salish Sea and the City of Victoria Children’s Book Prize winner, Orcas Everywhere. He lives in Victoria, British Columbia.
“Mark Leiren-Young is the kind of author who produces trustworthy works of nonfiction that will both entertain and educate children.”–CM: Canadian Review of Materials
Awards
- Long-listed, Stephen Leacock Memorial Medal for Humour
- Winner, Jewish Playwriting Prize from the Jewish Plays Project
Excerpt: Bar Mitzvah Boy (by (author) Mark Leiren-Young)
Scene Two
Rabbi’s Office
Late Friday afternoon.
Joey’s back is towards us. He’s decked out in prayer regalia — including tefillin, which are on incorrectly. He’s checking the books and pulls one down, stops, pulls another, stops. He takes a hefty book and turns to face the audience, looking very much like the perfect rabbi.
An old-style intercom buzzes and we hear the voice of Sheryl.
Sheryl: Rabbi. You’ve got a visitor. I said to wait in the hall but . . . Rabbi?
Joey settles behind the desk. Relaxed. At home. He opens the book, flips the pages. Michael enters, sweaty from her run. And . . .
Michael: Excuse me.
Joey: Hello.
Michael stares at Joey, puzzled.
What can I do for you? I’m sorry, I don’t mean to be rude, but I’m waiting for someone.
Michael: I see.
Joey: I have an appointment.
Michael: Sorry to disturb you.
Joey: Not a problem, I’m sure the receptionist can help you out.
Michael: Or security.
Joey: Absolutely.
Michael reaches for the intercom.
Michael: Shall I call security?
Joey: I’m sorry, do you work here? I don’t know everyone who works here.
Michael: I can see that.
Joey extends a hand.
Joey: Joey.
Michael shakes.
Michael: Michael.
Joey: So your parents wanted a boy?
Michael: It means “gift from G-d” or “who is like G-d.”
Joey: It means your parents wanted a boy.
Michael: I’m guessing yours did too.
Joey: So what do you do here?
Michael: This and that . . . I’m the rabbi. So more this than that.
Joey: No.
Michael: And you’re in my chair.
Joey: You’re Rabbi Levitz-Sharon? (pronounced Share-in.)
Michael: Rabbi Michael Levitz-Sharon. (pronounced Sha-rown) Like the prime minister. No relation.
Joey: But you’re —
Michael: Not circumcised?
Joey: Young. I was thinking young.
Michael: Of course you were.
Joey indicates her ball cap.
Joey: And that’s your kippah? So you cover your head all the time?
Michael: You must be Mr. Brant.
Joey: So you heard I was coming?
Michael: I heard you wanted to see me today and Sheryl told you I wasn’t available because I’m never available Friday afternoons. I’ve got a service to prepare.
Joey: Did she tell you it was an emergency? I told her to tell you it was an emergency.
Michael: Did somebody die?
Joey: No one I know.
Michael: Is someone dying?
Joey: We’re all dying. It’s the human condition.
Michael: So it’s not an emergency. And it’s almost Shabbat. And I really have to shower and change.
Joey: This won’t take long.
Michael: I can see you next week. Not on Friday. Once the sun goes down I can’t turn on the hot water.
Joey: That’s just silly.
Michael: It is, actually, but that’s religion for you.
Joey: An ancient tradition dating back to the great showers of Egypt.
Michael: Also, the congregation will be wondering where I am.
Joey: I’m here now. I’m dressed. I only need a minute.
Michael: You look lovely. You should stay for services.
Joey: Are you kidding? It’s Friday night.
Michael: Yes, that would be when we traditionally have Friday night services. And you know what happens at sundown?
Joey: Hell yah. I remember this from Hebrew school. The chariot turns into a pumpkin and the horses turn back into mice.
Michael: You have to go. I have to change. Now if you want to talk next week —
Joey: This’ll only take a second. Please, just one second, I promise.
Editorial Reviews
“This is a well-thought-out play… [Leiren-Young] knows how to grab an audience’s attention immediately and just the right moment to surprise you with a sudden plot twist… Bar Mitzvah Boy is terrific from start to finish.”
Bernie Bellan, The Jewish Post & News
“Leiren-Young is a Shaw with a peculiarly Jewish piquancy, tantalisingly sweet-and-sour, like my Bubbeh’s celebrated Brisket. Such complex cookery takes deft hands to bring to table.”
Lincoln Kaye, Vancouver Observer
“A gentle, bittersweet comedy.”
Darren Barefoot, The Georgia Straight
“Warm, wise, and wonderful.”
Mary Fernandez-Sierra, In the Spotlight
“Truly a subtle and intelligent (actually exquisite) presentation of how two individuals deal with timeless and complex issues that we all deal with in some way or another — What part does faith and ritual play in me being a Jew? What roles will community and synagogue life play over the course of my life? Oy vey!”
Rabbi Allan Finkel, for the Winnipeg Jewish Theatre
