King of the Jews

King of the Jews by Leslie Epstein

(0)
Productions (3)
Drama
|
100 - 120 minutes
2 W, 10 M, 
Content Notes: Adult language and content
Set: A cafe.

When a runaway boy seeks refuge in their cafe, ten unassuming Jews in Nazi-occupied Poland find themselves selected to form a Jewish ghetto council in charge of policing their own people. Led by the morally ambiguous Doctor Trumpelman, the council revels in their newfound power until they are faced with the impossible task of handing over the names of 100 of their fellow Jews. Unable to choose and unable to disobey, the council members grapple with the assignment of sentencing their own people to death.

Pricing Information

Min. Performance Fee* $85
Standard Edition $13.99
Stage Manager Edition $24.99

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

Play Details

When a runaway boy seeks refuge in their cafe, ten unassuming Jews in Nazi-occupied Poland find themselves selected to form a Jewish ghetto council in charge of policing their own people. Led by the morally ambiguous Doctor Trumpelman, the council revels in their newfound power until they are faced with the impossible task of handing over the names of 100 of their fellow Jews. Unable to choose and unable to disobey, the council members grapple with the assignment of sentencing their own people to death.

  • Drama
  • |
  • 100 - 120 minutes
  • 2 W, 10 M, 
  • Content Notes: Adult language and content
  • Set: A cafe.
  • Standard Edition ISBN: 978-1-62384-604-6

Published Reviews

"...an existential take on Holocaust atrocities that contains elements of Sartre and Beckett as well as a study of desperate human behavior you might see in a classic Agatha Christie drawing room murder mystery."

Jayne Blanchard, The Washington Times

"What may be most unusual, most memorable, and most important about Epstein's work is how deeply funny it is. The novel's mordant wit provoked controversy when it first appeared -- how dare he joke about the Holocaust? -- but King of the Jews would not be what it is without the laughs. Without laughter, it would be less human. And if it were less human, it would provoke less sorrow, less dread, less repentance for the evil we humans can do."

Louise Kennedy, The Boston Globe

Production History

OCT 24, 2023 - NOV 18, 2023
HERE Arts Center
New York, NY United States
HERE Arts Center New York, NY United States
MAR 11, 2009 - APR 12, 2009
Olney Theatre Center
Olney, MD United States
Olney Theatre Center Olney, MD United States
FEB 21, 2007 - MAR 10, 2007
Boston Playwrights' Theatre (workshop production)
Boston, MA United States
Boston Playwrights' Theatre (workshop production) Boston, MA United States
No upcoming productions.
OCT 24, 2023 - NOV 18, 2023
HERE Arts Center
New York, NY United States
HERE Arts Center New York, NY United States
MAR 11, 2009 - APR 12, 2009
Olney Theatre Center
Olney, MD United States
Olney Theatre Center Olney, MD United States
FEB 21, 2007 - MAR 10, 2007
Boston Playwrights' Theatre (workshop production)
Boston, MA United States
Boston Playwrights' Theatre (workshop production) Boston, MA United States