Prayer for the French Republic — Page 2

I caught yesterday's matinee and highly recommend it. I was moved, scared and reminded how important it is to pay attention to history. Are we safe? This theme resonated with me on so many levels.

Updated On: 2/3/22 at 06:15 PM

As is the case with so many plays these days, I would’ve loved to see the 100 minute version of this. It simply doesn’t cover enough new ground to call for a 190 minute running time, and too often is exhausting in its repeating themes. Above all, the third act falls apart as the lack of story catches up to it and the play starts to contradict itself with its muddled messages and questions - I had no clue what I was supposed to think or feel after. Looking forward to what Josh writes next, and am glad to see him exploring different genres but this is definitely the least successful show of his I’ve seen.

I saw this last night and absolutely loved it. I found it to be a wonderful blend of story and idea. The previous post about it being like a Jewish The Inheritance is a very good analogy. I wish The Inheritance had been this "short." I would also equate it to What the Constitution Means to Me with the direct narration to the audience but then with scenes played out as well. It's part history lesson, part contemporary debate and critique, and part human drama. I get that is not for everyone but I thought it was excellent.

The acting for the most part, felt natural and authentic. The dialogue is a bit 'Sorkinish' with long pointed exposition but it worked for me. And really, I know people who are like every character in this show. It was a brilliant night of intellectual and emotional exploration.

Other have questioned what the take away is supposed to be and I agree that there may not really be one. But that was ok for me. It's more of a semi-fictional biography dramatized on stage. We learn about this family and their place in history and how that history has shaped them. Through their story the show asks a lot of questions but doesn't provide the answers, that's up to you to do afterward.

The Other One said: "The play is a gentle but powerful reminder of the potential results of not doing so.”

Gentle?? Probably the last word I would use to describe this play. My biggest problem was how aggressive it was in trying to convey the commentary on its themes, often to the point of convolution. Interesting takeaway.

This play really hit me.

It tapped into a lot of deep, complex themes that have been on my mind a lot for the past few years; about my identity as a young Jewish American, about being a secular Jew, about the state of anti-semitism in the world, about the importance of family heritage within a group of people who have been persecuted and chased across the world, etc.

There are things about the play that I didn't necessarily agree with, but I think that's partly what made it so beautiful. It approached these complicated issues in a balanced, nuanced way. Allowing room for the difficult moral questions around Israel, and around the preservation of Jewish tradition.

Where the play itself lands on these issues is not necessarily a conclusion I fully agree with personally, but the way it was written, I could understand where they were coming from, and why these particular characters felt the way they did, given their circumstances. The play could be described as "reluctantly Zionist" in its messaging, but even that's perhaps an oversimplification.

And aside from all that, the play runs deep with emotion. There were lots of moments that made me tear up, especially in the 3rd act. At first I had a hard time getting into the flashback sequences, but I was won over by the end. Despite the unwieldy structure, the play is beautifully written, and feels like an epic.

I can see why some in this thread have compared it to The Inheritance. Though I think The Inheritance was somewhat more ambitious than this, while this play was notably better-written.

I'd feel like this is Joshua Harmon's magnum opus, though that might not be saying much.

Updated On: 2/21/22 at 10:10 AM

Synecdoche2 said: "I don't think the word "Palestine" was ever spoken."



I don't believe that's accurate, but I see your broader point.

If anything, I think the play's mistake on that front is assuming the audience already knows the nature of the accusations again Israel. Because the play itself acknowledges that there's validity to the accusations, but doesn't delve into what they actually are for those audience members (and I'm sure there are many) who staunchly believe Israel hasn't committed any wrongs.

I don't know if I'd call the play "politically nuanced" as much as "morally nuanced." It examines the responsibility of individual citizens to protect themselves, but also to stand up for what's right, and how sometimes there's a grey area between those things when it comes to choosing where your tax dollars go. Between the cafe scene, and Molly's final lines, I feel like the play's ultimate stance is: it makes sense that some European Jews want to live in Israel to feel safe, and that doesn't necessarily mean they support what Israel does. Because in the same way we protest things that America does, Israeli citizens can also fight for what's right from inside.

Again, I'm not sure I 100% agree with this line of thinking as it pertains to Israel specifically, but I can see why the characters feel that way given their immediate circumstances, and it didn't strike me as propagandistic.

Updated On: 2/21/22 at 11:43 AM

Synecdoche2 said: "Hard to claim this play is politically nuanced when I don't think the word "Palestine" was ever spoken. This is a propaganda piece, through and through."

Though I can't remember if the word "Palestine" was directly said, you can't argue that it wasn't clearly debated on multiple sides and was a very important part of the play.

And please remember not to conflate Israel's government with Jews. That in itself is old antisemitic rhetoric and the play is about Jews who are NOT living in Israel.

I was replying to Synecdoche2's post calling it a "propaganda piece".

Just noticed that Molly Ranson who played the American is now in Plaza Suite. She was replaced by Emma Gear.

Synecdoche2 said: "Hard to claim this play is politically nuanced when I don't think the word "Palestine" was ever spoken. This is a propaganda piece, through and through."

I just saw this play tonight (loved it) and the word Palestine is said several times (and by Elodie, the most explicitly Zionist character in the whole play).

Also, you calling a play written by a Jew and put on by a non-profit, non-governmental organization "propaganda" is really not sitting right with me.

A Jewish writer has an opinion and chooses to express it through their art and it's suddenly "propaganda"

In order for it to be propaganda, there must be a power using it to assert influence. Who is this power that you speak of?

I'm not trying to be mean to you and I don't believe you're an Antisemite, but I saw your post a few days ago and it wasn't sitting right with me then. I didn't say anything then because I hadn't seen it. But, after seeing the play and what you mean by "propaganda," I felt I had to say something.

I know the entire play runs around three hours, but can anyone tell me the approximate run time for each of act one and act two? Thanks