House, Divided
Drama
Cast: 6m
World Premiere: InterAct Theater Company, Philadelphia, 2008, Directed by Seth Rozin, featuring David Howey, Paul Meshejian, David Raphaeli, Dan Hodge, Noah Herman, Robert DaPonte. Nominated for a “Best New Play” Barrymore Award, 2008.
Synopsis
A Philadelphia family is wrenched apart when older brother, Lou, decides to move with his recently widowed father to Israel during the height of the Vietnam War. Remaining behind in Philadelphia, Lou’s younger brother, Doug, builds a life around peace activism. Thirty years later, Lou is a retired Israeli army officer whose son, Oren, is soldier in the Israeli Defense Forces. Doug is a Field Director with Amnesty International. Divided by old wounds and opposing beliefs, the brothers are forced to re-engage when their sons, Oren and Paul, make startling choices about their allegiances to their countries and to their fathers.
The writing of House, Divided was supported by a commission from the National Foundation for Jewish Culture. The premiere production was supported by grants from the National Endowment for the Arts, The Pilgrim Project, The Philadelphia Foundation, and the Philadelphia Theater Initiative.
Press
“a first-rate cast … fully engaging … an important play”
- Howard Shapiro, Philadelphia Inquirer
“Surprisingly evenhanded … satisfyingly complex”
- Toby Zinman, Variety.com
“striking … impressively performed … Marvelously constructed… Dramatically engaging and intellectually stimulating ”
- J.Cooper Robb, Philadelphia Weekly
“significant … truly absorbing”
- S. Friedman, The Bulletin
“a rollercoaster journey … leading to many fruitful discussions”
- Heinrich Eger, All About Jewish Theatre
“riveting … staggeringly rich”
- Jim Rutter, BroadStreetReview.com
“remarkable … will make you think hard about your own beliefs”
- Bonnie Squires, Mainline Times
“a dynamic world premiere … a winner from the start”
- B. Strauss, Chestnut Hill Local
“a well-crafted play … Loebell and … InterAct … are to be commended”
- S. Cohen, BroadStreetReview.com
“intricate and beautiful … unique and meaningful”
- K. Suni, StageMagazineOnline.com
“House, Divided is one of the most intelligent dramas to appear in a long time.” Joseph Puder, Jewish Community Voice
Readings and Development
Rehearsed public reading – National Museum of Jewish History, Philadelphia
Rehearsed public reading – New Rep, Boston
Rehearsed public reading – Philadelphia New Play Festival