A Taste of the Story...
Prologue: A dream-like sequence. Dressed as a deer, an Indigenous man dances across the stage.
ACT 1: Maya and her colleagues prepare for their first “Interfaith Fashion Show Fundraiser” (I’m A Bu-Jew) and (Spiritual But Not Religious). Shocked that Maya is so opposed to the interfaith marriage, Maya’s interfaith colleagues quarrel with her and Maya bolts from their meeting. Meanwhile, Stargazer’s father, Qaletaqa, chastises his son for not paying enough attention to their history of abuse (On Wounded Knee). His tragic experiences with the White Man have left him bitter and vindictive. Grandmother sympathizes with the lovers, for reasons as yet unknown. Stargazer and Tamar profess their love to one another, undaunted by their parents’ disapproval (Heart to Heart).
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During the interfaith fashion show, an atheist and evangelist “lock horns” and threaten to dismantle the event (I Don’t Believe in Your God), but Stargazer saves the day. The Sikh community invites everyone to dinner (Let’s Make Room at the Table). Qaletaqa shows up to assert his tribal claims and Maya’s interfaith colleagues become further incensed when they find out Maya has been concealing the issue of a potential lawsuit. Fearing litigation, the charity withdraws its 2.5 million dollar donation. Tamar announces her plans to live on the reservation with Stargazer.
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Maya’s world crashes. (What If My Children Go Astray?).
ACT 2 Prologue: In a dream-like sequence, the deer dancer is attacked by hunters.
ACT 2: Maya seeks counsel from Reverand Jeremiah (Jesus Is Here for You) while Tamar goes for advice to Rabbi Levy (Ask the Rebbe). Maya meets covertly with Qaletaqa to engineer an end to their children’s romance and secure the rights to the land. Qaletaqa insists Maya expel Stargazer from the interfaith group. Maya acquiesces, leading her best friend, Nur, and interfaith colleagues to spurn her (For the Greater Good). On the reservation, Tamar is accused of cultural appropriation (White Girl Named Tamar). Convinced their parents have prevailed, Tamar breaks up with Star and leaves (Why Must I Give Up My Love for You).
Grandmother reveals her lifelong secret to Maya and Tamar (Mother to Mother) about her son Qaletaqa. Grandmother returns home to confess the truth to her son. In despair Qaletaqa thrusts his hand into the ceremonial fire to burn away his unwanted self (If I’m Not Who I Thought I Was?) Stargazer enters and pulls his father’s hand out of the flames. Afterwards they open their hearts to each other (Blessings).
Maya sings a song of yearning to her late husband (If Only You Were Here). She comes to understand her part in causing the chain of events leading to her own downfall. She asks Star for his forgiveness and seeks to make amends. While helping Tamar get ready for her wedding to Star, she acknowledges she was willing to lose everything she cherished -- but not her daughter. A joyous ceremony follows uniting the couple and their communities (This Is Who We Are). The entire cast goes out among the audience to sing the final song (Meet Me There).
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“There’s a field out there beyond all right and wrong. . .
Come, O come, meet me there.”
Major Characters
MAYA, 42. Very attractive Jewish woman, still grieving for her late husband. The mother of Tamar, she is a ”mover and a shaker.” Energetic, passionate, loyal to her Jewish tradition and heritage and equally dedicated to interfaith activism.
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QALETAQA, 45. Indigenous, Stargazer's father, Chief of the Unequa tribe. Authoritative, brooding and bitter about historic and current white cruelty to First Nation people. His name means "Guardian of Tradition."
TAMAR, 19. Maya’s daughter. Stubborn and feisty, intelligent and headstrong. Wildly in love with Stargazer.
STARGAZER, 23. Indigenous, member of the Unequa tribe. Wildly in love with Tamar. Handsome, charismatic, overly self-confident activist devoted to the care of the earth. Has strong physical and acrobatic skills.
GRANDMOTHER, 60ish. Indigenous, Stargazer's paternal grandmother, mother of Qaletaqa, an elder of the Unequa tribe. A center of gravity, compassion, and moral clarity who also carries a dark secret.
NUR, 37. Pakistani-American Muslim, Maya's best friend, compassionate, devout, gentle, full of purpose. Wears a hijab, often quotes from the Kor'an.
AUNT JUDY, 45. Maya's busy-body sister-in-law. Annoyingly ardent about protecting Judaism. Determined Tamar must marry a nice Jewish boy.
RABBI LEVY, 60. Maya’s rabbi. Head-centered with a flair for comedy. He offers wisdom but no simple answers.
REVEREND JEREMIAH, 45. Maya's loyal friend, a thoughtful, heart-centered black Christian Pastor.
Ten more minor roles are included in the ensemble.