Post WWII Script Wins Goldberg Playwriting Prize

    The Rita and Burton Goldberg Department of Dramatic Writing in the Tisch School of the Arts recently announced Jonathan Goldberg as winner of the 2007 Rita and Burton Goldberg Dramatic Writing Award for his play The Jew and the Demon. In addition to the honor, he receives a $10,000 cash prize.

      Goldberg (no relation to Rita and Burton) is a 2007 M.F.A. alumnus of the dramatic writing department, and his play will receive a full production on March 26 and 27 at Tisch.  The Jew and the Demon tells the story of Zelig, a Polish Jew, who returns from a mysterious land of demons to find his village laid waste and abandoned. He joins forces with Azazel, a female demon formerly held captive by him, and together they set off to find his people in post-World War II Europe. The play was among five to make it to the finalist round.  The others included Petie by Lori Fischer, Oregon Country by Ross Maxwell, Flat Sam by Antoinette Nwandu, and Octopus by Steve Yockey. 

      Readings of Petie and Flat Sam will be presented in March.  Individuals interested in attending the readings should call 212-998-1985 or visit nyu.edu/Tisch/dramaticwriting after January 24, 2008, for dates and times. In addition to Rita and Burton Goldberg, the selection committee also comprised playwrights Lonnie Carter, Leslie Lee, Eduardo Machado, Susan Miller, and Marsha Norman; head of graduate studies in dramatic writing Janet Neipris, and executive director of creative affairs at the Dramatists Guild Gary Garrison.

—Richard Pierce