NATHAN THE WISE FATHER by Ira Forman and James Burnside
Sunday, September 26th at 6:30 PM CDT
Online (members will receive the link via email on the 26th, prospective members should contact info@scriptworks.org)
In 1192, at the end of the Third Crusade, a fragile peace dwells Jerusalem. Nathan, a Jewish merchant, confronts powerful forces about to turn his life upside down. Nathan’s business success lifted the veil that keeps him obscure and safe. Now, Sultan Saladin intends to borrow all of Nathan’s money. Meanwhile, the Patriarch of Jerusalem and the Sultan’s sister join forces to steal Nathan’s money. A young Templar thwarts their first attempt. In doing so, this gallant warrior saves Nathan’s daughter, Rachel, from kidnappers, and a mutual love blossoms. Sworn to celibacy and taught to hate Muslims and Jews, this young Templar finds his new passion frightening and confusing. Will reason and love of humanity prevail? And will the romance between the Templar and Rachel overcome religious intolerance? Of course, they will, but not before obstacles to love and life are eliminated.
Before undertaking his second career as a playwright, Ira R. Forman was a Computer Scientist, who retired from IBM in 2013. He has a Ph.D. in Computer Science from the University of Maryland. Ira authored three books in the field, published numerous papers, lectured extensively, and taught Software Engineering at the University of Texas at Austin. In addition to co-authoring NATHAN THE WISE FATHER, Ira has written a musical, ESTHER THE CLEVER QUEEN, which will be produced in the Fall of 2022 by Gilbert & Sullivan Austin.
James Burnside is a disabled veteran. He is a ScriptWorks Board member and on the Board of TILT Performance Group. He loves going to staged readings of new work and talking to writers about keepin’ on, keepin’ on. James has had several productions and a Cimientos workshop at NYC’s IATI Theatre several years ago. He is always surprised and thrilled by how smart, friendly, and hardworking theatre people are and how difficult the theatre is. James and his wife were foster parents to young women for 10 years.