Synopsis

SMOLDER TAR is a comedy and allegory about the Tar family as they live and strive together in a working-class bungalow.

 

They are a hard scrabble Jewish family, father and two sons that struggle to achieve the financial, social and religious standing attained by others within their community.

 

They perceive themselves as outsiders, looking and wanting in.

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SMOLDER, the father, KELP, eldest son and EDGAR, the younger, each struggle with their own disabilities—barriers to distinct and different life successes each covets.

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"Smolder Tar" dives deep into the Tar family’s struggles in 1960s America, portraying their battles with identity, faith, and generational conflict.

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As Smolder’s health fails, so his roofing business falls off. Sons Edgar and Kelp face their own challenges of assimilation and ambition.

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Jasmine, a young, traditional, observant woman of Zoroastrian faith enters their lives: A story of transformation unfolds.

 

The play addresses the cultural tension  between Jewish and other religious and cultural traditions as all grapple with accepting embracing one's own faith and accepting others'.  

 

The play's ending considers the fragile bonds and shifting identities that occur over time.

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SMOLDER TAR explores all families’ struggles.

The play’s allegory informs regarding the tension when disparate cultures, family generations and changing times intersect, when identity, faith, and changing mores collide.

 

- Four characters, three male, one female

  - A full-length, Three-Act play, 120 minutes

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