StageWorks Staged Reading of
“Left on Tenth”By Delia Ephron
Tuesday, August 4, 2026 at 7:30pm
Directed by Philip Schatz
A romantic comedy about a novelist who reconnects with an old flame and finds love again, based on the memoir and life of author Delia Ephron.
THE STORY: After Delia Ephron’s husband of more than thirty years passes away from cancer, Delia must deal with logistical problems large and small – among them, canceling her husband’s landline with Verizon. The frustrating experience becomes the basis of a New York Times op-ed, which in turn becomes the basis for a new relationship. Peter, a man she briefly dated in her twenties, contacts her after reading her piece and wants to reconnect. In classic romantic comedy style, emails become phone calls become cross-country flights become lasting love. But when Delia is faced with a devastating new challenge, her newfound relationship with Peter comes to mean more than a happy ending – it means winning the fight of her life.
Place: Acting Ensemble on the Avenue, 602 E Mishawaka Ave, Mishawaka IN 46545
History: “Left On Tenth” premiered on Broadway at the James Earl Jones Theatre on October 23, 2024. Directed by Susan Stroman, the production featured Julianna Margulies, Peter Gallagher, Kate MacCluggage, Peter Francis James and the dogs Nessa Rose and Charlie.
Reviews:
“Honest and deeply personal.” – Chicago Tribune
“Both hopeful and heartwarming… It’s clear why Ephron would wish to share their love story with the world.” – USA Today
“You may feel a comforting return to the world and framing of Ephronian romantic comedy.” – New York Magazine
“A moving and heartfelt portrait of romance and passion.” – The New York Times
Delia Ephron is a novelist, screenwriter, essayist, and playwright. She is the author of the best-selling memoir, Left on Tenth: A Second Chance at Life. Her play, based on the memoir, directed by Susan Stroman, was produced on Broadway. Her novels include the best-selling Siracusa and The Lion Is In; her books of essays and humor include SisterMotherHusbandDog (etc) and How To Eat Like A Child. She has written children’s books and young adult novels. Her many movie credits – often co-written with her sister Nora Ephron — include You’ve Got Mail, Michael, and Hanging Up, based on her novel. Her sister and she co-authored the play, “Love, Loss and What I Wore”. Her essays have been published in The New York Times, Vogue, and Vanity Fair. She is part of The Empathy Project, a collaboration of doctors and filmmakers who create films to teach empathy to doctors. She lives in Greenwich Village.
THE STAGEWORKS STAGED READING SERIES IS A MONTHLY STAGED READING, performed with script in hand and utilizing little to no movement, lights, sounds, or costumes. We love StageWorks because it gives us a chance to let you experience quality theater that we might not be able to produce otherwise (because of cast size, space restrictions, time constraints, etc.) at an affordable price, and allows our actors to explore and innovate, honing their craft and elevating their creativity.
