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Overview

Synopsis

In this stunning, quietly moving play from the inventive playwright Sarah Ruhl, an American woman learns that her son is believed to be the reincarnation of a Tibetan Buddhist lama. When a pair of Tibetan monks arrive unexpectedly at her door and ask her to give up her son so that he might be educated at a monastery in India, she is forced to confront her own identity as a mother and the implications of her husband’s Tibetan cultural identity, as well. As the couple struggle to make this heart-wrenching decision for their child, they must grapple with the nature of love and attachment, the importance of family and faith, and what it means to be both parent and child, and both teacher and student. In Ruhl’s imaginative, lyrical style, The Oldest Boy takes us on a rich and textured journey through loss, compassion, and the gradual opening of hearts and minds.

Show Information

Book
Sarah Ruhl
Category
Play
Age Guidance
Youth (Y)/General Audiences (G)
Number of Acts
2
First Produced
2014
Genres
Drama
Time & Place
present day, a city in the u.s., a monastary in india
Cast Size
small
Ideal For
small cast, female lead, diverse cast, Mostly Male Cast, Includes Adult, Young Adult, Mature Adult Characters, Small Cast

Context


Plot


Characters

Name Part Size Gender Vocal Part

A Mother

Lead

Female

Spoken

A Father

Supporting

Male

Spoken

A Monk

Supporting

Male

Spoken

A Lama

Supporting

Male

Spoken

A Puppeteer

Featured

Male

Spoken

Three Dancers

Ensemble

Either Gender

Silent

Songs

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A song with an asterisk (*) before the title indicates a dance number; a character listed in a song with an asterisk (*) by the character's name indicates that the character exclusively serves as a dancer in this song, which is sung by other characters.

Monologues

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Scenes

All scenes are the property and copyright of their owners. Scenes are presented on StageAgent for educational purposes only. If you would like to give a public performance of this scene, please obtain authorization from the appropriate licensor.

Key Terms

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Videos

Quizzes

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Themes, Symbols & Motifs

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Quote Analysis

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Guide Written By:

Becca Ballenger

Becca Ballenger