Prayer for the French Republic

A SAMUEL FRENCH, INC. TITLE

Prayer for the French Republic

Full-Length Play, Drama  /  4w, 7m

Joshua Harmon's gorgeous multigenerational drama explores one family's relationship to faith, history and safety from a global perspective.

Image: 2022 Manhattan Theatre Club Production (Matthew Murphy for MurphyMade)

Prayer for the French Republic

  • Cast Size
    Cast Size
    4w, 7m
  • Duration
    Duration
    More than 120 minutes (2 hours)
  • Audience
    Target Audience
    Adult
Accolades
Accolades
  • Nominee: Three 2024 Tony Awards, including Best Play
    Winner! Three 2022 Drama Desk Awards, including Outstanding Play
    Winner! 2022 Outer Critics Circle Award, Outstanding Off-Broadway Play

Details

Summary
In 1944, a Jewish couple in Paris desperately await news of their missing family. More than 70 years later, the couple's great-grandchildren find themselves facing the same question as their ancestors: "Are we safe?" Following five generations of a French-Jewish family, Prayer for the French Republic is a sweeping look at history, home and the effects of an ancient hatred.
History
Prayer for the French Republic premiered at the Manhattan Theatre Club in New York City on January 11, 2022, under the direction of David Cromer.

2016-2017

Marcelle Salomon Benhamou, 50s
Charles Benhamou, 50s, Marcelle's husband
Elodie Benhamou, 28, their daughter
Daniel Benhamou, 26, their son
Patrick Salomon, 50s, Marcelle's brother
Molly, 20, a distant American cousin
Pierre Salomon, 80s, Marcelle & Patrick's father

1944-1946

Irma Salomon, 70s, Pierre's grandmother
Asolphe Salomon, 70s, Pierre's grandfather
Lucien Salomon, 40s, Pierre's father
Young Pierre Salomon, at age 15

  • Time Period Contemporary, 1940s/WWII
  • Setting In both 2016-2017 and 1944-1946, Paris.
  • Duration More than 120 minutes (2 hours)
  • Cautions
    • Alcohol
    • Strong Language
    • Mild Adult Themes

Media

“Thought-provoking, heart-wrenching and wickedly funny.” – The New York Times

“A brave, articulate, moving and necessary new play. Wrenching, brilliant and shattering. This fearless play tackles conundrums with a combination of intelligence, balance and accessibility that few writers of Harmon’s generation could pull off.” – New York Stage Review

“Breathtaking. Harmon remarkably explores a century in the life of one Jewish family while folding in 1,000 years of Jewish history.” – New York Theatre Guide

Videos

  • Manhattan Theatre Club Production of Prayer for the French Republic youtube thumbnail

    Manhattan Theatre Club Production of Prayer for the French Republic

  • "A Tour-de-Force" | Prayer for the French Republic youtube thumbnail

    "A Tour-de-Force" | Prayer for the French Republic

Photos

  • Prayer for the French Republic

    Image: 2024 Manhattan Theatre Club Production (Jeremy Daniel)

  • Prayer for the French Republic

    Image: 2022 Manhattan Theatre Club Production (Matthew Murphy for MurphyMade)

  • Prayer for the French Republic

    Image: 2022 Manhattan Theatre Club Production (Matthew Murphy for MurphyMade)

Licensing & Materials

  • Minimum Fee: £55 per performance plus VAT when applicable.

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Authors

Joshua Harmon

Joshua Harmon's plays include Bad Jews, Significant Other, Admissions, Skintight, and Prayer for the French Republic. He and Sarah Silverman co-wrote the libretto for The Bedwetter based on her memoir. His plays have been produced on Broadway and the West End; off-Broadway at ...

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