The Wanderers
by Anna Ziegler

Off-Broadway

The Wanderers Book Cover — The Wanderers Cover

Highlights

Female

Male

105 mins Present Day Unit Set/Multiple Settings Contemporary Costumes/Street Clothes

Synopsis

Two marriages have seemingly little in common: Esther and Schmuli are Orthodox Jews navigating strictly defined rules and roles, while Sophie and Abe are secular and free to make their own choices.

But both couples are growing apart as they strive to balance their individual identities with the families they’ve created.

As Esther tests the boundaries of her personal freedom, Abe falls into a correspondence with a movie star that will shake the foundations of his marriage and career.

Anna Ziegler’s funny, moving and thoughtful play asks if following one’s truth is worth it, no matter the cost.

Press Reviews

"This absorbing, twisty, and thoughtful play is the finest play of the year!… In addition to writing with searching depth, Ms. Ziegler can be quite funny… A play of superior quality.” – Wall Street Journal“The Wanderers is that rare play worth seeing twice, with a plot to ruminate on for a lifetime.” – Washington City Paper“The Wanderers, Anna Ziegler’s very accomplished, tightly knit Chinese puzzle box of a play… is a treat for the eyes and the heart.” – The Jerusalem Post“As fine and perfect a piece of theater I’ve seen in many a year... The script by Anna Ziegler is a revelation, touching on family truths, marriage, and personal histories... Go see this show. It’s magnificent."
— DC Theatre Scene

Characters

Character	Gender	Age	Description
Schmuli 30s, formal, not totally comfortable in his skin, also Hasidic; should have the capacity for deep, surprising emotion; he is a profoundly gentle person.	male	30s	30s, formal, not totally comfortable in his skin, also Hasidic; should have the capacity for deep, surprising emotion; he is a profoundly gentle person.
Abe mid-30s–early 40s, an intellectual who enjoys seducing with language; he’s charming but also self-effacing, humble, confused, and trying his best; in other words, he’s Jewish.	male	30s	mid-30s–early 40s, an intellectual who enjoys seducing with language; he’s charming but also self-effacing, humble, confused, and trying his best; in other words, he’s Jewish.
Sophie mid-30s to early 40s, Abe’s wife, dry and intelligent and world-weary; she is biracial: Caucasian/Jewish and Black.	female	30s	mid-30s to early 40s, Abe’s wife, dry and intelligent and world-weary; she is biracial: Caucasian/Jewish and Black.
Julia Cheever mid-30s to early 40s, a movie star with an abundance of outward charm and confidence; she is poised and polished, but not without vulnerability.	female	30s	mid-30s to early 40s, a movie star with an abundance of outward charm and confidence; she is poised and polished, but not without vulnerability.
Esther mid-20s to early 30s; she feels young, impressionable, eager and yet no-nonsense too; she’s Jewish (Hasidic).	female	20s	mid-20s to early 30s; she feels young, impressionable, eager and yet no-nonsense too; she’s Jewish (Hasidic).