OY! by Rich Orloff

(3)
Productions (51)
Comedy
|
90 - 120 minutes
2 W, 3 M,  (5-44 actors possible: 2-41 W, 3-42 M)
Content Notes: Some adult language and content
Set: Unit set.

OY! is a collection of 13 short comedies, each illustrating the meaning of a Yiddish word -- including the untold stories of Eve and Adam, Einstein's demanding mother, the divorce trial of God and the human, the use of unkosher food as an aphrodisiac, and three men in a steam room who communicate using only the word "oy." Appealing to audiences of all backgrounds, OY! is a tribute to the absurdity and comedy of being human. Read More

Pricing Information

Min. Performance Fee* $85
Standard Edition $13.99
eScript Digital Edition $17.5
Stage Manager Edition $24.99
NOTE: Each piece in this anthology can be licensed and performed separately.
Archival Video License $150

*The per performance fee begins at $85. Your per performance fee will be provided during the ordering process.

eScript Digital editions when purchased as a retail item cannot be printed or downloaded. They are for reading on personal computer, or tablet devices (phones, iPads, Kobo, Sony, etc.). It can viewed on up to 5 individual devices. When an escript is purchased as part of a license, please email [email protected] to receive your printable PDF.


Playscripts is pleased to offer an Archival Video License for an additional $150 for full-length plays and $75 for one-act plays.

Play Details

OY! is a collection of 13 short comedies, each illustrating the meaning of a Yiddish word -- including the untold stories of Eve and Adam, Einstein's demanding mother, the divorce trial of God and the human, the use of unkosher food as an aphrodisiac, and three men in a steam room who communicate using only the word "oy." Appealing to audiences of all backgrounds, OY! is a tribute to the absurdity and comedy of being human.

To purchase this book of 13 plays, click "Order this play" above. To perform an individual play, click on its title below:

  • Word Play
  • Eve and Adam: The Untold Story
  • Good News From Albert
  • Stevie Goldstein Faces the Day of Atonement Unprepared
  • Can This Marriage Be Saved?
  • Oy
  • Murray, Leo and Sol Rewrite the Criminal Code
  • A Trolley Named Tsuris
  • Close Call
  • Is Lust Kosher?
  • Come Light the Menorah
  • Last-Minute Adjustments
  • What Makes a Man?

    • Comedy
    • |
    • 90 - 120 minutes
    • 2 W, 3 M,  (5-44 actors possible: 2-41 W, 3-42 M)
    • Content Notes: Some adult language and content
    • Set: Unit set.
    • Standard Edition ISBN: 978-1-62384-344-1
  • Published Reviews

    "You don't have to be Jewish to appreciate the wonderful humor of OY! Do yourself a favor and don't miss OY!"

    Arlington Weekly News

    "Surprisingly funny. OY! gives an audience something to nosh on. OY! explores some universal themes and deserves a large and diverse audience."

    The Detroit Free Press

    "Universal fun and laughter. Rich Orloff's sketch comedy generated rolls of laughter as Jews and goyim alike recognized and acknowledged our common experiences."

    Encore Michigan

    "Good belly laughs!"

    Back Stage

    "Good laughs. Highly entertaining. From some of these sketches you could kvell."

    The New York Times

    "Better than chicken soup for a bitter cold night. OY! is an adroitly written, funny show."

    ChicagoCritic.com

    "Quite funny. OY! reveals human truths as universal as they are humorous."

    The Journal (Washington, D.C.)

    "If you're of a certain generation and persuasion, OY! is the shmeer you want for your bagel."

    Washington Jewish Week

    "OY! is a cry of delight. Pure comedy."

    Jewish Week (New York City)

    "Good-natured fun. Each skit is as funny as the next."

    In Theatre

    Production History

    MAY 12, 2022 - MAY 15, 2022
    Ohev Shalom Players
    Richboro, PA United States
    Ohev Shalom Players Richboro, PA United States
    NOV 05, 2021 - NOV 06, 2021
    AlWood High School
    Woodhull, IL United States
    AlWood High School Woodhull, IL United States
    JUN 07, 2020 - JUN 21, 2020
    Temple Israel Greenfield
    Greenfield MA, MA United States
    Temple Israel Greenfield Greenfield MA, MA United States
    APR 05, 2020 - APR 05, 2020
    Society Hill Synagogue
    Philadelphia, PA United States
    Society Hill Synagogue Philadelphia, PA United States
    NOV 15, 2019 - NOV 17, 2019
    Alphanyc Theater Company
    New York, NY United States
    Alphanyc Theater Company New York, NY United States
    NOV 07, 2019 - NOV 10, 2019
    Brandeis University
    Waltham, MA United States
    Brandeis University Waltham, MA United States
    JUN 06, 2019 - JUN 06, 2019
    Temple Anshe Sholom
    Hamilton, ON Canada
    Temple Anshe Sholom Hamilton, ON Canada
    OCT 20, 2018 - OCT 20, 2018
    Paso Robles High School
    Santa Clarita, CA United States
    Paso Robles High School Santa Clarita, CA United States
    MAR 17, 2018 - MAR 18, 2018
    Habima Of Ramat Shalom
    Plantation, FL United States
    Habima Of Ramat Shalom Plantation, FL United States
    JAN 21, 2018 - JAN 21, 2018
    Lakeside Congregation for Reform Judaism
    Highland Park, IL United States
    Lakeside Congregation for Reform Judaism Highland Park, IL United States
    DEC 24, 2017 - DEC 24, 2017
    Star Mountainville Group
    Woodstock, NY United States
    Star Mountainville Group Woodstock, NY United States
    DEC 13, 2017 - DEC 17, 2017
    Alphanyc Theater Company
    New York, NY United States
    Alphanyc Theater Company New York, NY United States
    FEB 18, 2017 - MAR 05, 2017
    Aux Dog Theatre Nob Hill
    Albuquerque, NM United States
    Aux Dog Theatre Nob Hill Albuquerque, NM United States
    JAN 05, 2017 - JAN 14, 2017
    Alphanyc Theater Company
    New York, NY United States
    Alphanyc Theater Company New York, NY United States
    DEC 10, 2016 - DEC 10, 2016
    JCC Albuquerque
    Albuquerque, NM United States
    JCC Albuquerque Albuquerque, NM United States
    DEC 05, 2015 - DEC 05, 2015
    Congregation For Humanistic Judaism
    Sarasota, FL United States
    Congregation For Humanistic Judaism Sarasota, FL United States
    AUG 29, 2015 - SEP 06, 2015
    Jewish Community Center
    Austin, TX United States
    Jewish Community Center Austin, TX United States
    AUG 29, 2015 - SEP 06, 2015
    Jewish Community Center
    Austin, TX United States
    Jewish Community Center Austin, TX United States
    NOV 06, 2014 - NOV 16, 2014
    Alphanyc Theater Company
    New York, NY United States
    Alphanyc Theater Company New York, NY United States
    OCT 17, 2014 - OCT 19, 2014
    Theatre Guild
    Laguna Woods, CA United States
    Theatre Guild Laguna Woods, CA United States
    SEP 11, 2014 - SEP 11, 2014
    Edinburgh University Theatre Company
    Edinburgh, United Kingdom
    Edinburgh University Theatre Company Edinburgh, United Kingdom
    MAR 17, 2014 - MAR 17, 2014
    Theatre Guild
    Laguna Woods, CA United States
    Theatre Guild Laguna Woods, CA United States
    SEP 05, 2013 - SEP 06, 2013
    Louisville Collegiate School
    Louisville, , KY United States
    Louisville Collegiate School Louisville, , KY United States
    JUN 13, 2013 - JUN 23, 2013
    Jewish Theatre Grand Rapids
    Grand Rapids, MI United States
    Jewish Theatre Grand Rapids Grand Rapids, MI United States
    FEB 22, 2013 - FEB 23, 2013
    McDonogh School
    Owings Mills, MD United States
    McDonogh School Owings Mills, MD United States
    MAY 01, 2012 - MAY 13, 2012
    Adam Roebuck Productions
    New York, NY United States
    Adam Roebuck Productions New York, NY United States
    OCT 30, 2011 - OCT 30, 2011
    Adam Roebuck Productions
    New York, NY United States
    Adam Roebuck Productions New York, NY United States
    OCT 29, 2011 - OCT 30, 2011
    Adam Roebuck Productions
    New York, NY United States
    Adam Roebuck Productions New York, NY United States
    MAY 14, 2011 - MAY 22, 2011
    Sabes Jewish Community Center
    St. Louis Park, MN United States
    Sabes Jewish Community Center St. Louis Park, MN United States
    APR 21, 2011 - APR 23, 2011
    Louisville Collegiate School
    Louisville, KY United States
    Louisville Collegiate School Louisville, KY United States
    FEB 28, 2010 - FEB 28, 2010
    Emanuel Synagogue
    Oklahoma City, OK United States
    Emanuel Synagogue Oklahoma City, OK United States
    FEB 11, 2010 - FEB 14, 2010
    Princeton University Center For Jewish Life
    Princeton, NJ United States
    Princeton University Center For Jewish Life Princeton, NJ United States
    NOV 15, 2009 - NOV 15, 2009
    OdysseyStage Theatre
    Chapel Hill, NC United States
    OdysseyStage Theatre Chapel Hill, NC United States
    APR 05, 2009 - APR 05, 2009
    JCC CenterStage
    Rochester, NY United States
    JCC CenterStage Rochester, NY United States
    JAN 24, 2009 - FEB 07, 2009
    Shalom - Organization Of The Jews In Bulgaria
    Sofia, Bulgaria
    Shalom - Organization Of The Jews In Bulgaria Sofia, Bulgaria
    DEC 06, 2008 - DEC 06, 2008
    Temple Kol Emeth
    Marietta, GA United States
    Temple Kol Emeth Marietta, GA United States
    APR 25, 2008 - APR 26, 2008
    Louisville Collegiate School
    Louisville, KY United States
    Louisville Collegiate School Louisville, KY United States
    APR 19, 2008 - MAY 29, 2008
    Aaron DeRoy Theatre
    West Bloomfield, MI United States
    Aaron DeRoy Theatre West Bloomfield, MI United States
    MAR 01, 2008 - MAR 01, 2008
    Temple Beth El
    Pensacola, FL United States
    Temple Beth El Pensacola, FL United States
    JAN 30, 2008 - JAN 31, 2008
    Savannah Hadassah
    Savannah, GA United States
    Savannah Hadassah Savannah, GA United States
    NOV 15, 2007 - NOV 18, 2007
    Benet Academy
    Lisle, IL United States
    Benet Academy Lisle, IL United States
    APR 27, 2007 - APR 28, 2007
    Holyoke Catholic
    Grandview, MA United States
    Holyoke Catholic Grandview, MA United States
    MAR 07, 2007 - MAR 18, 2007
    Sarasota Jewish Theater
    Sarasota, FL United States
    Sarasota Jewish Theater Sarasota, FL United States
    MAR 03, 2007 - MAR 18, 2007
    Jewish Community Center Of Greater Orlando
    Maitland, FL United States
    Jewish Community Center Of Greater Orlando Maitland, FL United States
    NOV 02, 2006 - NOV 02, 2006
    New Jewish Theatre
    St. Louis, MO United States
    New Jewish Theatre St. Louis, MO United States
    JUL 07, 2006 - JUL 08, 2006
    Perkins County Community Players
    Grant, NE United States
    Perkins County Community Players Grant, NE United States
    JAN 12, 2006 - JAN 22, 2006
    Michael-Ann Russell Jewish Community Center
    North Miami Beach, FL United States
    Michael-Ann Russell Jewish Community Center North Miami Beach, FL United States
    JAN 01, 2005 - DEC 31, 2005
    Chicago Jewish Theatre
    Chicago, IL United States
    Chicago Jewish Theatre Chicago, IL United States
    JAN 01, 2004 - DEC 31, 2004
    Public Theatre of South Florida
    Ft. Lauderdale, FL United States
    Public Theatre of South Florida Ft. Lauderdale, FL United States
    JAN 01, 2003 - DEC 31, 2003
    The Center Company
    Fairfax, VA United States
    The Center Company Fairfax, VA United States
    JAN 01, 1999 - DEC 31, 1999
    Melting Pot Theatre Company
    New York, NY United States
    Melting Pot Theatre Company New York, NY United States
    No upcoming productions.
    APR 19, 2008 - MAY 29, 2008
    Aaron DeRoy Theatre
    West Bloomfield, MI United States
    Aaron DeRoy Theatre West Bloomfield, MI United States
    JAN 30, 2008 - JAN 31, 2008
    Savannah Hadassah
    Savannah, GA United States
    Savannah Hadassah Savannah, GA United States
    NOV 02, 2006 - NOV 02, 2006
    New Jewish Theatre
    St. Louis, MO United States
    New Jewish Theatre St. Louis, MO United States
    JAN 01, 2005 - DEC 31, 2005
    Chicago Jewish Theatre
    Chicago, IL United States
    Chicago Jewish Theatre Chicago, IL United States
    JAN 01, 2004 - DEC 31, 2004
    Public Theatre of South Florida
    Ft. Lauderdale, FL United States
    Public Theatre of South Florida Ft. Lauderdale, FL United States
    JAN 01, 2003 - DEC 31, 2003
    The Center Company
    Fairfax, VA United States
    The Center Company Fairfax, VA United States
    JAN 01, 1999 - DEC 31, 1999
    Melting Pot Theatre Company
    New York, NY United States
    Melting Pot Theatre Company New York, NY United States

    Archival Video License

    Playscripts is pleased to offer an Archival Video License to add to your order for an additional $150 for full-length plays and $75 for one-act plays.

    This allows you to record one of your live performances for your internal archives only. This cannot be streamed.

    For more information, please reach out to [email protected]

    eScript Details

    eScript Digital Editions cannot be printed or downloaded. They are for reading on personal computer or tablet devices (phones, iPads, Kobo, Sony, etc.) It can viewed on up to 5 individual devices.

    You do not need to download any additional program to view your eScript. They will become available in your account on Playscripts.com after payment has been made. For more information on eScripts, please visit our Help page.