The Revisionist

Author(s):

Jesse Eisenberg’s autobiographical play about David, a young American sci-fi writer, visiting Maria, an older cousin in Poland. The idea for the play came about while Eisenberg was visiting his own cousin in Poland, having made a promise to his 100-year-old aunt before leaving the U.S. that he would visit the town where she had grown up. Eisenberg's character, David, is suffering from writer’s block and hopes the change of scenery will help him to complete his book. When he arrives in Poland, he wants to be left alone, but his ageing cousin is desperate to connect with her distant American family. As their relationship develops, Maria, a Holocaust survivor, reveals details of a guilty secret she has kept from her post-war past.
Format: Autobiographical play
Cast Size: 2M/1F
Running time: 1 hour and 45 minutes
Character breakdown

David, American writer.
Maria, David’s 75-year-old second cousin.
Polish taxi driver

Snapshot

Original or Prominent Production: World premiere at the Cherry Lane Theatre, New York, staged by Rattlestick Playwrights Theater, February–April 2015, starring Jesse Eisenberg and Vanessa Redgrave.
Original Source Material: Eisenberg’s own experiences visiting a cousin in Poland.
Nationality of Author:
Original Language: English

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