In Every Generation

by Ali Viterbi

One family. One holiday. Four millennia. The Levi-Katz family celebrates Passover again and again (and again and again) and while times, location, and languages change, traditions stay the same. Over matzah ball soup and (vegan) brisket, the close-knit clan contends with questions of race, religion, and inter-generational trauma. The present echoes the past—and the past the present—as the family repeatedly...

One family. One holiday. Four millennia. The Levi-Katz family celebrates Passover again and again (and again and again) and while times, location, and languages change, traditions stay the same. Over matzah ball soup and (vegan) brisket, the close-knit clan contends with questions of race, religion, and inter-generational trauma. The present echoes the past—and the past the present—as the family repeatedly reenacts the exodus from Egypt, each time asking themselves: must we define ourselves through trauma? Will we ever be free? And why is this night different from all other nights?

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In Every Generation

Recommended by

  • Rich Rubin: In Every Generation by Ali Viterbi
    “

    A bold and beautiful play that is both epic and intimate. Multi-layered and thought-provoking, surprising and immensely satisfying, it is very deserving of its many accolades, and will hopefully receive even more widespread production.

    A bold and beautiful play that is both epic and intimate. Multi-layered and thought-provoking, surprising and immensely satisfying, it is very deserving of its many accolades, and will hopefully receive even more widespread production.

    ”
  • David Davila: In Every Generation by Ali Viterbi
    “

    A masterpiece of a play that asks its audience to wager the price of a people's identity against the survival of that very identity. Is it better to assimilate to the identity of the oppressor or die filled with a pride for your cultural and ethnic history? Everyone should read this play and it should be taught in schools. The perfect starting point for conversations around colonialism, fascism, and genocide in any generation across all racial, ethnic, and national identities.

    A masterpiece of a play that asks its audience to wager the price of a people's identity against the survival of that very identity. Is it better to assimilate to the identity of the oppressor or die filled with a pride for your cultural and ethnic history? Everyone should read this play and it should be taught in schools. The perfect starting point for conversations around colonialism, fascism, and genocide in any generation across all racial, ethnic, and national identities.

    ”
  • Lainie Vansant: In Every Generation by Ali Viterbi
    “

    "Ritual is tradition, but it's also time travel." What a beautiful start to this beautiful play. Viterbi tackles the mystical with humanity and grace in this piece. It's heart wrenching and lovely, and I wish I could see it live.

    "Ritual is tradition, but it's also time travel." What a beautiful start to this beautiful play. Viterbi tackles the mystical with humanity and grace in this piece. It's heart wrenching and lovely, and I wish I could see it live.

    ”
View all 13 recommendations

Character Information

  • Dev Levi-Katz
    Speaks some Hebrew
    23
    Asian -- Chinese,
    Jewish
    Female
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      20s
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      Asian, Pacific Islander, or Asian American
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Female
  • Yael Levi-Katz
    Speaks some Hebrew
    19
    White,
    Jewish
    Female
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      Teens,
      20s
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      White
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Female
  • Valeria Levi
    Speaks Italian
    57
    White,
    Jewish
    Female
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      50s
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      White
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Female
  • Paola Levi
    Speaks Italian and some Hebrew
    85
    White,
    Jewish -- Sephardic
    Female
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      70s+
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      White
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Female
  • Davide Levi
    Speaks Italian and some Hebrew
    87
    White
    Male
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      70s+
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      White
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Male

Development History

  • Reading, North Coast Repertory Theatre, 2018
  • Reading, Last Frontier Theatre Conference, 2018
  • Reading, The Barrow Group, 2018
  • Residency, Wildacres Residency, 2017

Production History

  • Professional, TheatreWorks Silicon Valley, 2023
  • Professional, Victory Gardens Theater, 2022

Awards