James of Nazareth

FULL LENGTH. A retelling of the Jesus story from the point of view of his younger brother, James, who is left trying to hold the family together and keep everyone out of trouble while Jesus is off preaching radical civil disobedience and a new world order.

FULL LENGTH. A retelling of the Jesus story from the point of view of his younger brother, James, who is left trying to hold the family together and keep everyone out of trouble while Jesus is off preaching radical civil disobedience and a new world order.

  • Inquire About Rights
  • Recommend
  • Download
  • Save to Library

James of Nazareth

Recommended by

  • Ian Donley: James of Nazareth

    This play is so beautifully written and impactful. People have been writing about Jesus for centuries, but very few have been capable of writing a compelling play out of it. Lisa Dellagiarino Feriend is one of those people. The relationships between each of these characters is given fresh life and gives plenty of meat for actors to explore. This play feels reminiscent of Lucas Hnath's "A Doll's House Part 2" in this way. A wonderful and thought-provoking piece to consider for future productions.

    This play is so beautifully written and impactful. People have been writing about Jesus for centuries, but very few have been capable of writing a compelling play out of it. Lisa Dellagiarino Feriend is one of those people. The relationships between each of these characters is given fresh life and gives plenty of meat for actors to explore. This play feels reminiscent of Lucas Hnath's "A Doll's House Part 2" in this way. A wonderful and thought-provoking piece to consider for future productions.

  • MaKayla Baker Paxton: James of Nazareth

    I saw this play at Live Arts in Charlottesville, and this play was touchingly bittersweet. It's a big shoe to put on, writing a play about Jesus from a whole new lens. I especially appreciated the attention to detail. Often stories of Jesus derail quickly into satire or remain so close to the cuff that it screams bad megachurch attempt at theater. But this play did neither: it respected the story of Jesus while handling it with beautiful truth. 5 stars.

    I saw this play at Live Arts in Charlottesville, and this play was touchingly bittersweet. It's a big shoe to put on, writing a play about Jesus from a whole new lens. I especially appreciated the attention to detail. Often stories of Jesus derail quickly into satire or remain so close to the cuff that it screams bad megachurch attempt at theater. But this play did neither: it respected the story of Jesus while handling it with beautiful truth. 5 stars.

  • Christopher Soucy: James of Nazareth

    There are plays that make me want to be a better writer. Then there are those that make me want to quit writing all together. This one is both for me. Genuine genius at work here. Definitely shining a light on paths to be taken as a writer, but also a big sign that I should stop writing because Lisa’s got the writing thing covered. This is a moving, funny, thought provoking play that puts family dynamics and the call to revolution under the lens of one of the best known story in the world.

    There are plays that make me want to be a better writer. Then there are those that make me want to quit writing all together. This one is both for me. Genuine genius at work here. Definitely shining a light on paths to be taken as a writer, but also a big sign that I should stop writing because Lisa’s got the writing thing covered. This is a moving, funny, thought provoking play that puts family dynamics and the call to revolution under the lens of one of the best known story in the world.

View all 19 recommendations

Character Information

5 men, 3 women with two men doubling like so:
Actor 1: Peter + Soldier 1 + Nazarene
Actor 2: John + Soldier 2 + Nazarene
  • James
    must have the endurance to be on stage for 90 minutes
    Character Age
    28-31
    Character Race/Ethnic Identity
    Any
    Character Gender Identity
    Male
  • Jesus
    James's older brother
    Character Age
    30-33
    Character Race/Ethnic Identity
    Any
    Character Gender Identity
    Male
  • Mary
    James's and Jesus's mother
    Character Age
    late 40s
    Character Race/Ethnic Identity
    Any
    Character Gender Identity
    Female
  • Hannah
    James's wife; Daniel's mother
    Character Age
    late 20s
    Character Race/Ethnic Identity
    Any
    Character Gender Identity
    Female
  • Daniel
    James's and Hannah's son; it might be easiest to cast a 6th or 7th grader
    Character Age
    11-14
    Character Race/Ethnic Identity
    Any
    Character Gender Identity
    Male
  • Peter
    Jesus's disciple; actor doubles as Soldier 1 + Nazarene
    Character Age
    30s/40s
    Character Race/Ethnic Identity
    Any
    Character Gender Identity
    Male
  • John
    James's and Jesus's cousin; actor doubles as Soldier 2 + Ananus + Nazarene
    Character Age
    31
    Character Race/Ethnic Identity
    Any
    Character Gender Identity
    Male
  • Soldier 1
    actor doubles as Peter + Nazarene
    Character Age
    30s/40s
    Character Race/Ethnic Identity
    Any
    Character Gender Identity
    Male
  • Soldier 2
    actor doubles as John + Nazarene + Ananus
    Character Age
    30s
    Character Race/Ethnic Identity
    Any
    Character Gender Identity
    Male
  • Two Nazarenes
    actors double as Peter/Soldier 1 and John/Soldier 2/Ananus
    Character Age
    30s/40s
    Character Race/Ethnic Identity
    Any
    Character Gender Identity
    Male
  • Girl
    Character Age
    early teens
    Character Race/Ethnic Identity
    Any
    Character Gender Identity
    Female

Development History

  • Type Reading, Organization Live Arts, Year 2025
  • Type Workshop, Organization Gulfshore Playhouse, Year 2022
  • Type Reading, Organization The Saint Sebastian Players, Year 2020

Production History

  • Type University, Organization Alvernia University, Year 2022

Awards

  • Waterworks New Works Festival
    Live Arts
    Selection
    2025
  • Henley Rose Playwright Competition for Women
    Yellow Rose Productions
    Finalist
    2022
  • New Works Festival
    Gulfshore Playhouse
    Selection
    2022
  • Princess Grace Award Playwriting Fellowship
    New Dramatists
    Semi-Finalist
    2021
  • Spring Play
    Free Spirit Theatre
    Semi-Finalist
    2019
  • New American Voices Playwriting Festival
    The Landing Theatre Company
    Semi-Finalist
    2020