About the Play:
End Days Won
a 2008
American Theatre Critics Association Steinberg Citation
End Days is a full-length comedy by Deborah Zoe Laufer.
The members of a suburban family
are undergoing
a spiritual crisis and fear
the end of the world is
coming – or vehemently reject that idea – and they all seek
solace from a wild variety of counsellors.
End Days is a
humorous tale that illustrates the dysfunctions of love and life.
End Days is the comic and touching story of the Stein
family, which has been torn apart by tragedy. The members have
learned to cope with each other and the world around them by turning
to God, turning to science or even turning away from everything.
Sylvia Stein has turned to Christianity to save her disaffected
husband Arthur and her rebellious teenage daughter Rachel. But as
Sylvia races around preparing for the Rapture, Rachel is learning
that there are more things in Heaven and Earth than are dreamt of in
her philosophy. In this heart-warming and thought-provoking comedy,
Deborah Zoe Laufer explores how a family in crisis can turn
things around by turning to each other for support and guidance
through turbulent times.
End Days premiered in
2008 at Florida Stage in
Manalapan, Florida as
part of a rolling premiere
through the National New Play Network, and went on to receive over 50
productions after that. It
remains a
popular choice with
regional and community
theatres.
Cast: 2 female, 3 male, with doubling
What people say:
"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." —
New York Times
"Two acts are too short a time to spend with Deborah Zoe Laufer's lovable characters in "End Days…. a wonderful demonstration of writerly skill and compassion." — Variety
"Wild and wonderful… End Days is enormously funny, warm and uplifting." — CurtainUp
"...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
"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)
"...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
"The smartest, most
hysterical, laugh-out-loud show you'll see in the theater - ever!...a
witty, funny and relevant play." — Martha's Vineyard
Plum
"End Days
directly pits science, religion and suburbia, but it's not an attack
on any of them. There's not a trace of mockery in these extraordinary
performances, each tinged with compassion, humor and heartbreak.
Laufer is clearly a major new voice." — Denver Post
About the Playwright:
Deborah Zoe Laufer is an active American contemporary
playwright. Her works have also been produced at Steppenwolf Theatre
Company, Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park, Actor's Theatre of
Louisville, Portland Stage, and eighty other theatres around the US,
in Germany, Russia and Canada.