End Days
by Deborah Zoe Laufer

Name: End Days
Brand: Deborah Zoe Laufer
SKU: 9780573663161
Rating: 3.79 (78 reviews)

Highlights

Small Cast

Female

Male

90 minsPresent DayEnsemble CastInterior SetContemporary Costumes/Street ClothesAmerican Comedy

What readers are saying

Readers appreciate the blend of humor and meaningful themes in the play, noting its exploration of family, science, and religion. Many find the characters relatable and well-crafted, though some feel that certain tropes detract from their development. Overall, it is seen as a solid and enjoyable theatrical experience.

Great mix of humor and depthLovable and relatable charactersStrong performances from the castSome predictable tropesCharacter development could improve

Synopsis

3m, 2f / Comedy / Interior End Days received the 2008 American Theatre Critics Association Steinberg citation.

Sixteen year old Rachel Stein is having a bad year.

Her father hasn't changed out of his pajamas since 9/11.

Her mother has begun a close, personal relationship with Jesus.

Her new neightbor, a sixteen-year-old Elvis impersonator, has fallen for her hard.

And the Apocolypse is coming Wednesday.

Her only hope is that Stephen Hawking will save them all.

"The universality of the denouem

ThemesFamilies Families--Drama PS3612.A84 E64 2008 Young women Young women--Drama

Press Reviews

"The universality of the denouement brings this comedy full circle, leaving us to admire the relevancy of Laufer's humor and wisdom of her message."
— Variety

"...rapturously funny play about a family trying to survive in a world hurtling toward Armageddon, proves that the right playwright can inspire healing laughter in even the most sobering subjects."
— The Miami Herald

"...thought-provoking, not a little disquieting and seriously, encouragingly funny. Laufer's originality in expressing her ideas is impressive. Highly recommended."
— CityBeat Arts and Entertainment

"...Both poignantly redemptive and often hilariously funny. I hope others will have the opportunity to see this special play. It begs the question of what we would hold most sacred if we knew the end was near. And it brings to life our broad range of choices, including laughter, and the treasured traveling companions who are there even when we face our own personal Armageddon."
— Huffington Post

"End Days may be about a weirdly dysfunctional family that finds its soul by waiting for the Apocalypse together, but this play has heart: It's engaging, funny as hell and even touching....An exceptional show"
— NUVO (Indianapolis)

Characters

Character	Gender	Age	Description
Sylvia Stein her mother. 40's. Newly Evangelical, with a close, personal relationship to Jesus.	female	40s	her mother. 40's. Newly Evangelical, with a close, personal relationship to Jesus.
Arthur Stein her father. 40's. Deeply depressed.	female	40s	her father. 40's. Deeply depressed.
Nelson Steinberg also 16. Their new neighbor. Passionate about science, dresses as Elvis, loves Rachel.	—	—	also 16. Their new neighbor. Passionate about science, dresses as Elvis, loves Rachel.
Rachel Stein 16, nihilistic Goth. Feels angry and orphaned sing 9/11, as both of her parents have withdrawn into their own worlds.	female	—	16, nihilistic Goth. Feels angry and orphaned sing 9/11, as both of her parents have withdrawn into their own worlds.