L i n d s a y J o e l l e
  • ABOUT
  • RESUME
  • PLAYS
    • TRAYF
    • THE GARBOLOGISTS
    • THE MESSENGERS
    • A SMALL HISTORY
  • DRAMATURGY
    • TRAYF
    • THE GARBOLOGISTS
  • CONTACT

TRAYF

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SYNOPSIS

Zalmy lives a double life: by day, he’s the Rebbe’s loyal foot soldier, driving a tricked-out “Mitzvah Tank” through NYC with his best friend Shmuel.  By night, he sneaks out of his orthodox community to roller-skate in discos and listen to rock and roll.  But when a secular man becomes their protege, Zalmy and Shmuely must choose between their faith and their faith in each other.


TIME & PLACE
Manhattan and Brooklyn, 1991.

CHARACTERS
ZALMY: m, 19.  Chasidic Jew. Intelligent, curious, hungry for life.
SHMUEL: m, 19. Chasidic Jew. Loyal, earnest, hungry for love.
JONATHAN: m, late 20s. Gentile. Charismatic, impulsive, hungry for purpose.
LEAH: f, late 20s. Secular Jew. All of the above.
​

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REVIEWS

"Joelle’s writing is so light and graceful, and the pals are so endearing,
that you quickly settle into the swing of their self-contained worl
d"
 - Washington Post

"...Able to dive into issues such as faith, identity, friendship, and purpose with a clarity and introspection
​rarely seen onstage
." - BroadwayWorld 


"A tidy, consistently smart story...Joelle's comedy is easygoing and confident, and her people have soul." - Washington Post

"A satisfyingly resonant examination of faith and friendship — or, more precisely, faith in friendship." - Boston Globe

PRODUCTION HISTORY

SELECTED ACCOLADES

  • 2022  (Upcoming) Winnipeg Jewish Theatre, Canada​
  • 2019  New Repertory Theatre, Boston MA
  • 2018  Theater J, Washington D.C. (World Premiere)
  • 2017  Penguin Repertory Theatre, Stony Point NY
  • Rita Goldberg Award for Graduate Playwriting
  • Finalist: Eugene O'Neill National Playwrights Conference
  • Finalist: Jewish Plays Project Top Ten
  • Finalist: American Blues Theater's Blue Ink Award
  • Finalist: Portland Center Stage's JAW festival
  • Finalist: Nashville Repertory Theatre's Ingram Lab
  • Kilroys List Honorable Mention
  • Best of Boston 2019, Boston Stage Notes
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