Catalogue of Noses

by Lauren Schaffel

Catalogue of Noses is a dark musical comedy which incorporates Fiddler on the Roof parody songs to illustrate the sacrifices made by Jewish women for assimilation. It tells the story of Emily, a Jewish teen actor on the day of her scheduled nose surgery, who faces off with her Jewish mother and a Jewish plastic surgeon. We follow Emily’s emotional state as she navigates this decision and learns unsettling truths...

Catalogue of Noses is a dark musical comedy which incorporates Fiddler on the Roof parody songs to illustrate the sacrifices made by Jewish women for assimilation. It tells the story of Emily, a Jewish teen actor on the day of her scheduled nose surgery, who faces off with her Jewish mother and a Jewish plastic surgeon. We follow Emily’s emotional state as she navigates this decision and learns unsettling truths about the consequences of assimilation in the process.

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Catalogue of Noses

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  • Jewish Plays Project: Catalogue of Noses by Lauren Schaffel
    “

    Jewish Plays Project would like to acknowledge that CATALOGUE OF NOSES received Commended status for our first Ten Minute Play Contest OOF: On One Foot, which searched nationally for plays from artists of all backgrounds responding to our prompt on healing & repair. Our Artist Panel readers appreciated the craft, style, and creativity, as well as how it theatrically expressed the first annual contest theme of healing & repair.

    Jewish Plays Project would like to acknowledge that CATALOGUE OF NOSES received Commended status for our first Ten Minute Play Contest OOF: On One Foot, which searched nationally for plays from artists of all backgrounds responding to our prompt on healing & repair. Our Artist Panel readers appreciated the craft, style, and creativity, as well as how it theatrically expressed the first annual contest theme of healing & repair.

    ”
EMILY- 16 to 20 years old (ideally 18+ TPY), White woman / girl. A 16-year-old Jewish actress, Emily is torn about whether to get a nose job. Nerdy-cute, starry-eyed, and eager to please. A comedic force with an excellent singing voice.

[DR. PEARLMAN] 45 to 60 years old, White man. Jewish plastic surgeon, a slick egomaniac. A comedic actor, singing ability a plus.

[DEBBIE]-45 to 55 years old, White woman, Jewish. Emily's mother. The ultimate stagemom, Debbie is convinced that big things lie in store for Emily if only she gets a nose job. A comedic actress, ability to sing a plus. Can double with CASTING DIRECTOR- a casting professional who's seen it all.

[KIMBERLY]- 22 to 30 years old, Mixed Ethnicity, White woman. Dr. Pearlman's daughter, she works as an assistant at his doctor's office. She's had so much plastic surgery that it's hard to tell if she's 20 or 50.

Development History

  • Reading, JewFace under ShPiel Performing Identity, 2023
  • Commission, JewFace, 2022

Production History

  • Workshop, ShPiel Performing Identity, 2023

Awards

  • Commended Status
    Jewish Plays Project
    2024
  • Semi-Finalist for Reboot Studios Grant
    Reboot Studios
    Semi-Finalist
    2024