Odd Job: Author’s Notes

There really aren’t any. I just wanted to sound pretentious.

Oh, well, if I’m at it, there are three important texts that this is drawn from, and you probably ought to read them if you’re doing this play.

First is the biblical Book of Job, preferably the Standard King James edition. It’ll give you the idea of the story, and it’s written in beautiful language, probably the best in the Bible. Job is one of the least-understood and most-overlooked parts of the Old Testament, even though everybody knows the story. It’s worth a little time.

Second is the play J.B., by Archibald MacLeish. It’s a serious, existential modern retelling of the story of Job, and it’s absolutely incredible theater. It’s where I borrowed (“ripped off”) the idea for this. It points out a lot of things about the story you never would have noticed before, and it gives a perfect idea of the grandeur and theatricality this play should conjure up in its (few) serious moments. Required reading, even if you skip the original biblical version.

Third is the one-act play God, by Woody Allen. This probably ought to be your guide for the mixed feelings of comedic irreverence and philosophical confusion that the comedic part strives for. Plus it’s totally hilarious. It can be found as part of the Woody Allen book Without Feathers. As a side note, Job can find plenty of acting cues in Woody Allen’s roles in Bananas and Love and Death.

I would like to thank all of the people who helped me and influenced me with this, but I really can’t see why I should.