(6)
Zenobia
Nick Dear
Alexandra of Judea
by Lauri Donahue
Highlights
Greek/Roman/Biblical Expandable Casting Role(s) for Teen(s) Room for Extras Unit Set/Multiple Settings Elaborate/High-Volume Costumes
Synopsis
Civil war and foreign invasions...
Courtesans, cannibalism, and mass crucifixions...
And an unfortunate incident with a citrus fruit...
Alexandra of Judea is an epic true story of the Hasmonean Dynasty - the house of Maccabee.
A woman of faith and courage, Alexandra survives political intrigues and two murderous husbands to rule as the last queen of the independent kingdom of Judea, with the help of her ally - Cleopatra III of Egypt.
The conflicts of their time echo down to the present-day crisis in the Middle East in this fast-moving, action-packed tale of an important - and little known - period of history.
Press Reviews
"This epic is a considerable achievement. The author tells a fascinating and at times exciting, not to say complex story well... Altogether it is a story which convincingly shows us the power of ruling women in the middle eastern civilisations of the time; after viewing it we may well revise our opinions as to the impact of women on the history of antiquity...."
— Dramaturg, Theatre Royal, Plymouth, England
Characters
| Character |
|---|
| JOSEPHUS a historian, mid 30's/40's, a former general of Judea in service to Rome |
| SERAKH BAT ASHER a historian, any age, a woman, ancient but ageless |
| JOHANAN HYRCANUS ethnarch, gereral, and high priet of Judea, about 60, imperious and impatient |
| MARIAMNE wife to JOHANAN, mid 50's/early 60's, regal, dutiful, and stubborn |
| ARISTOBULUS their eldest son, late 30's/early 40's, ambitious and paranoid |
| SALOME ALEXANDRA wife to ARISTOBULUS (and later to ALEXANDER), mid 30's/early 40's, attractive, well-educated, eloquent |
| ANTIGONUS the second son, early to mid 30's, a soldier |
| ALEXANDER JANNAI the third son, early to mid 20's, handsome and elegant in the Greek manner |
| MATTATHIAS the fourth son, early 20's, hot-headed and vengeful |
| ABSALOM the fifth son, late teens to early 20's, pious and timid |
| ELEAZAR a priest and leader of the Sadducees, late 40's-50's, an aristocrat and follower of the Greek styles |
| SIMEON teacher and leader of the Pharisees, brother to ALEXANDRA, mid 30's to early 40's |
| LUTETIUS a mercenary of Gaul, in service to Judea, mid to late 30's, rugged and dependable |
| LAVINIA a Roman courtesan, any age, seductive and cruel |
| RACHEL a woman servant, any age, a professional gossip |
| BOY mid to late teens, a camp servant, impudent |
| CLEOPATRA III Pharaoh of Egypt, 60's, strong and confident |
| ANANIAS Cleopatra's general, late 30's or older |
| SECOND GENERAL another general in service to CLEOPATRA, any age, haughty |
Publication
Alexandra of Judea is a play written by Lauri Donahue and published by Samuel French .
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Performance Rights
Available for Licensing
Amateur & Professional
Fee: Minimum Fee: $110 per performance
Restrictions: Major Markets Only (US) / Standard Restriction (UK)
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