written by Jason Robert Brown
. It premiered in Chicago in 2001 and was then produced off-Broadway
in March 2002. Since then it has had numerous productions both in the United States and internationally.
The story explores a five-year relationship between Jamie Wellerstein, a rising novelist, and Cathy Hyatt, a struggling actress. The show uses a form of storytelling in which Cathy's story is told in reverse chronological order (beginning the show at the end of the marriage), and Jamie's is told in chronological order (starting just after the couple have first met).
Cathy:What about lies Jamie? What about things that you swore to be true? What about you, Jamie? What about you?
Cathy: Jamie is over and where can I turn? Covered with scars I did nothing to earn
Cathy: Once the foundation's cracked And I'm still hurting
Jamie: I'm breaking my mother's heart The longer I stand looking at you The more I hear it splinter and crack From ninety miles away
Jamie: If you had a tattoo, that wouldn't matterIf you had a shaved head, that would be coolIf you came from Spain or JapanOr the back of a vanJust as long as you're not from Hebrew school
Jamie: Hey, hey Shiksa goddess I've been waiting for someone like you
Jamie: My people have suffered for thousands of years And I don't give a shit!
Jamie:If you had a pierced tongue, that wouldn't matterIf you once were in jail or you once were a manIf your mother and your brother had "relations" with each otherAnd your father was connected to the Gotti clanI'd say, "Well, nobody's perfect"
Jamie: If you like to drink blood, I think it's cute
Jamie: I'm your Hebrew slave, at your service