A one-act musical drama
By Leon Agulansky
SYNOPSIS
Katya, the adopted daughter of a Russian-Jewish family, discovers a passion for Gypsy music, songs, and dance. An actress from a Gypsy theater notices a resemblance between Katya and her mother—a woman who had vanished years earlier following a relationship with Roman, the theater’s artistic director. A DNA test confirms the truth: she is his daughter. Her adoptive parents have kept the somewhat irregular circumstances of her adoption a secret, but events eventually force the truth to come out. Katya finds herself torn between her pull toward Gypsy art and her love for the warm, supportive family that raised her. Ultimately, she faces a difficult choice regarding her path in life.
The play calls for the performance of Gypsy songs and dances.
Cast: 2 men, 4 women.
Running time: 75 min.
TELL ME WHO I AM
A one-act musical drama
By Leon Agulansky
CHARACTERS:
KATYA, 20–30, a Romani woman raised by a Russian-Jewish family.
BELLA, 60, her adoptive mother.
KOLYA, 65, her adoptive father.
ROMAN, 40/65, artistic director of a Romani theater.
RADA, 40/60, his wife, an actress in the Romani theater.
LYALYA, 20–30, Katya’s biological mother.
The roles of KATYA and LYALYA should be played by the same actress.
ROMANI CHORUS, as determined by the director.
SETTING
East Europe, the early 1990s.
Scene One
The dressing room of a Romani theater. Stage right, a makeup table with a mirror and a chair. LYALYA, a striking, spirited young Romani beauty, sits at the makeup table, looking at herself in the mirror as she removes her stage makeup. ROMAN, a large, broad-shouldered man with a thick mane of black hair, comes up behind her and wraps his arms around her. LYALYA resists, clearly irritated, trying to pull away.
ROMAN.
What’s wrong? I don’t get it.
LYALYA.
You’ll get it soon enough! Haven’t had enough fun with me yet?
ROMAN.
What happened?
LYALYA.
I need to tell you… something.
ROMAN.
If you need to, Go ahead.
RADA enters, a sharp-tongued, flamboyant, and slightly flashy Romani woman, with a towel draped over her shoulder. She looks at the embracing couple.
(A brief pause.)
RADA.
Te ave bahtalo! (Romani greeting.)
LYALYA.
You too stay well.
ROMAN.
You should knock on the door.
RADA.
Knock?! I’ll give you a knock, alright!
RADA lashes out at ROMAN with the towel. He raises his arm to protect himself. LYALYA bursts into loud laughter. ROMAN grabs RADA by the throat and shoves her away.
RADA (to LYALYA).
What’re you laughing at, minzha (whore in Romani)?
ROMAN.
Hey, take it easy.
RADA.
Easy?! This isn’t a whorehouse! How long I’ve tolerated this — for kids sake! Enough!
RADA looks at ROMAN, then back at LYALYA. She leaves.
Music.
LYALYA (to ROMAN).
Got your watch on? Good. You have five minutes…
ROMAN.
Lyalya, what’s gotten into you?
LYALYA.
Five minutes! You have five minutes to decide: stay with me or go back to your wife and kids!
ROMAN.
Wait. You can’t just…
LYALYA
Five minutes! Time’s ticking! Four minutes till curtain time!
ROMAN.
Let’s talk later…
LYALYA.
Got it. An early answer. Let Rada play my role. Don’t look for me! Don’t! Polyyan!?(got it?)
ROMAN.
Polyyan… Lyalya! You can’t do it like that…Tyrdyov! (come back.)
Music
LYALYA packs her belongings into a bag, puts it over her shoulder, and disappears.
Scene Two
The living room of Katya’s home.
KATYA, a slim, energetic young woman with her hair pulled up, wearing a tight-fitting athletic outfit, rehearses the ballet Adagio from “Swan LakeЭю She dances without much enthusiasm. She stops. Finds the remote control, stops Tchaikovsky’s music, lets down her mane of black hair, and turns on rhythmic Romani music.
KATYA dances a Romani dance with passion and excitement.
From different sides of the stage, BELLA appears — a well-groomed, elderly, cultured woman who carries herself with dignity — and KOLYA — a quiet, devoted, dependable man who is completely dominated by his wife. They meet at the back of the stage. They exchange glances. Anxiety is visible on their faces.
The dance ends.
(A Pause.)
BELLA.
I don’t remember that part being in Swan Lake…
KATYA.
It’s not. A pity, huh?
KOLYA.
Pity?
KATYA.
So? What did you think of the dance?
BELLA.
The first one, or the second?
KATYA.
Juicier than the Adagio, no? Was I too rough, Dad? Applause, please! Where are my applause?! (Disappears)
KOLYA. Things aren’t looking good…
BELLA. Did you know she’s been skipping her dance classes?
KOLYA. What? But they… they rehearse six hours a day!
BELLA. I’m telling you. Listen up. They’re going to kick her out. Soon. Very soon.
KOLYA. Well, if they are, so what? She’ll find something worthwhile to do.
BELLA. Something worthwhile… Pity. Real pity. I said pity! Why are you grinning?
KOLYA. I’m all choked up.
BELLA. Two years — and up gekakt (down the toilet, Yiddish).
KATYA enters wearing an evening dress.
KATYA.
Ma, Pa, I’m off to the theater.
BELLA.
The ballet?
KATYA.
Uh-huh. Well… almost.
KOLYA.
“Almost ballet”? What does that mean?
KATYA.
I’ll tell you later.Alright, see you later. Bye-bye!
KOLYA.
Why didn’t you tell us? We’d have come too.
KATYA.
Oh Pa, you’re so funny!
KOLYA.
I’m dying from laughter.
KATYA.
I got that one ticket out of the studio by the skin of my teeth—literally! What do you expect?
BELLA.
Yeah. Your teeth are fabulous.
KATYA.
Don’t pick on me, Ma. Alright, alright – off I go! (Disappears)
(A Pause.)
BELLA.
Holding for dramatic effect, or forgot your line?
KOLYA.
From an apple tree… you won’t get oranges.
BELLA.
Brilliant.
KOLYA.
Merci.
BELLA.
She’ll leave. And we’ll be two old fools, left behind.
KOLYA.
One.
BELLA.
What do you mean, one?
KOLYA.
One fool. You’re the smart one.
BELLA.
We need to tell her… everything.
KOLYA.
I’ve been saying that for a while…
BELLA>
Oh, you’ve been saying it, have you? As if I didn’t know myself. When did she even grow up? I remember holding her — barely three pounds. I fed her through a tube. So fragile… but those eyes — those big, black, clever eyes. She looked at me once, and it all became clear.
KOLYA.
Years… they fly by fast. And look at her now — what a beauty she’s become.
BELLA.
We aren’t getting any younger either
KOLYA.
It seems like we were students only recently. Summer work camp. Hikes. Guitar by the bonfire.
BELLA.
Yep. By the bonfire your front is hot; your back is cold
KOLYA.
I always got smoke in my eyes
BELLA.
Life has gone by. Did you manage to understand anything?
KOLYA.
Take it easy, mama. Do you still remember our song?
BELLA.
Sure, how can I forget?
They sing togetherю
BELLA.
I did a little fortune-telling with the cards.
KOLYA.
More of your card fortune readings?
BELLA.
Better that than playing cards with you!
KOLYA.
Oh, come on!
BELLA.
The cards say she’ll leave—sooner than we think.
KOLYA.
Maybe we shouldn’t tell her. Not yet.
BELLA.
Not tell her? And what if she will ask, she will look right in my eyes? I can’t lie to her. I can’t even stay silent.
KOLYA.
Alright, love. She gave us so much joy. Whatever happens now…
The sound of an incoming text message. KOLYA takes his phone out of his pocket (he has received a message). He looks at it.
(A pause.)
KOLYA.
Bella! That’s it! We got it! Look!
BELLA.
Finally. I was starting to lose hope.
KOLYA.
Well?
They slap their palms together in a playful high-five. They leave.
Scene Three
The Romani theater. The third bell rings. The murmur of the audience fades away.
KATYA takes a seat in the first row of the auditorium.
At the makeup table, ROMAN, now older, and RADA are present. RADA looks at herself in the mirror, touching up her makeup. ROMAN stretches out on the floor.
RADA.
Your back again?
ROMAN.
As always—at the worst time.
RADA.
Didn’t your mother ever tell you: only carry skinny women?
ROMAN.
Where do you find those nowadays? Have you checked out the sizes lately?
RADA.
Hurts bad?
ROMAN.
I’m not going to die.
RADA.
We should warm it up… but there’s nothing here. Except maybe my old breasts.
ROMAN.
Oh no! Don’t make me laugh — it hurts!
RADA.
You’re in bad shape, Roma. Roma!
ROMAN.
Huh?
RADA.
Aha! You still have hearing. Roma, but do your eyes still see?
ROMAN.
What are you doing, old woman? Undressing there?
RADA.
Ha! In your dreams. Listen, there is a girl in the first row. She looks like a spitting image of Lyalya. Exact likeness!
ROMAN.
OurLyalya…
RADA.
YOUR Lyalya! Eh!
ROMAN.
Yes, mine. She was a beauty. A knockout.
RADA.
I’m not so bad myself still, mind you. But alright, alright. Enough.
ROMAN.
She ran off straight from the theater, remember? Right before her solo number. What a little shit! Almost tanked the whole show. Nearly lost us big bucks.
RADA.
It wasn’t about the dough.
ROMAN.
It’s always about the dough, old man. What are we without dough?
RADA.
You always have money on your mind.
ROMAN.
She was pregnant, you know. Your messed up, you dog!
«You knocked her up, ay-ne-ne,
Knocked her up, ay-ne-ne,
Romale, leli te chavale le…»
RADA.
Oh yes, my hawky. I swore to never tell a soul. But now — what does it matter? So many years have passed.
ROMAN.
People said that she died in the hospital.
RADA.
Of course she died in the hospital. She died during childbirth. They buried her and the baby together. Didn’t you know?
ROMAN.
I thought she lied on purpose. To stop me from looking for her. She was such a liar….
RADA.
And you’re so honest?
The stage entrance cue sounds.
RADA.
Let’s go.
Romani music is heard. RADA disappears. ROMAN walks into the auditorium and invites KATYA to go with him.
ROMAN takes KATYA by the hand and leads her away.
ROMAN.
Careful now. The floor’s uneven.
KATYA.
A tough road to the stage?
ROMAN.
Step! There’s a step! Don’t worry. I got you.
KATYA.
I’m not worried. Should I be?
ROMAN.
Not while I’m next to you.
KATYA.
I’ll take your word for it.
Still no reason to worry?
ROMAN.
Incredible…
KATYA.
I am intrigued.
ROMAN.
In-tri-gued… and pardon me, what’s your name?
KATYA.
Katya.
ROMAN.
Yes, yes — Katya. (Repeats dreamily.) Katya…
ROMAN leads KATYA to the makeup table. KATYA sits down at the mirror.
RADA comes in.
RADA.
See?! Didn’t I tell you? A spitting image of Lyalya!
KATYA.
Lyalya?
ROMAN.
Lyalya was, um…our… It’s not important right now.
KATYA.
Not important? Are you putting me on?
RADA.
Sir tut kharen? (What is your name?)
ROMAN.
Her name is Katya. Katya.
RADA.
Katya! Kai la tidei? Hey! Don’t understand, pretty one? Where’s your mom?
KATYA.
My mom?At home. Why?
RADA.
Good. Home is good. (She searches the makeup tableю) Where is that thing?! Ugh! (Disappears.)
ROMAN.
Don’t mind her, um…
KATYA.
Katya.
ROMAN.
Right, right. Katya.
KATYA.
Katya Istomina.
ROMAN.
Of course. Katya Istomina. Don’t pay attention to the theatrics. Gypsy temperament, you know. You’re not Gypsy by any chance?
KATYA.
Oh no! Not at all.
ROMAN.
Katya, what’s your mother’s name?
KATYA.
My mother?Bella. Bella Arkadyevna.
ROMAN.
I see. What does she do?
KATYA.
She’s a retired gynecologist.
ROMAN.
Interesting. And you two look alike?
KATYA.
A bit… yes, I think so.
ROMAN.
How do you like our antics?
KATYA.
Oh! It was magical, a miracle. The music, the rhythm, the dancing! It lights you up from inside — and takes over your body and soul.
ROMAN.
Beautifully said! If only I had a pen to write it down…
KATYA.
You’re laughing. But I’m serious.
ROMAN.
Not at all! It’s just that we always notice the flaws, but we want to make it better. Better. Better… (He hums.)
“Oh, little brook, little brook…I fetched water for my tea, Romale…”
ROMAN.
Do you study music?
KATYA.
I study dance. A ballet studio for overage learners.
ROMAN.
So… let’s hit the stage together and move a bit?
KATYA.
The stage?
He hands KATYA a Romani dress.
ROMAN.
Try this on. It’s clean… I think.Let’s go. Careful – a step. Uneven floor. There, there. Good.
KATYA.
Oof!
Romani music is heard. KATYA dances a Romani dance.
ROMAN.
Bravo, bravo, bravo!
KATYA.
Thanks, take five.
ROMAN.
Katya…
KATYA.
Yes?
ROMAN.
Simply wow, Ms. Katya.
ROMAN hands KATYA a plastic cup of water. She drinks it and thanks him.
She looks around, wondering where to throw the cup away.
KATYA struggles to take off her gypsy dress, getting tangled in it. She remains in a form-fitting evening gown. ROMAN turns away, places the cup in a plastic bag, and puts it in his pocket.
KATYA.
Just Katya.
ROMAN.
Same here.I’m just Roma, if you don’t mind.
KATYA.
But you’re the artistic director. How can I…
ROMAN.
No worries. Katya, will you come to the rehearsal tomorrow?
KATYA.
Tomorrow? But I… yes! Yes, I’ll come! Thank you! But now I’ve got to run.
ROMAN.
Of course, it’s late. Leave your number, just in case we need to cancel.
Katya takes out a pen. She looks for something to write on. ROMAN holds out his right palm. KATYA writes on his palm.
KATYA.
Doesn’t hurt?
ROMAN.
Nice.
KATYA.
Till tomorrow?
ROMAN is about to shake her hand, then remembers that there is writing on his palm. He shakes her hand with his left hand.
ROMAN.
Bye!
The lights fade out.
Music.
Scene Four
KATYA’S APARTMENT, where she lives with her adoptive parents.
BELLA and KOLYA pace anxiously around the room.
KOLYA.
It’s almost midnight. I’ll go wait downstairs.
BELLA.
Wait?! We don’t even know where she was or who she was with!
KOLYA.
I’ll just wait in the courtyard. You never know…
BELLA.
Oh, great. He’ll wait in the yard. This is madness! I’m having a serious talk with her!
KOLYA.
Come on, Bella. She’s a grown-up woman.
BELLA.
Exactly! Grown-up. Woman!
KOLYA.
Her phone’s off! (Leaves a voicemail) Katya! Call us! Now! We’re worried!
KATYA enters, happy and elated. Humming to herself, she twirls as she crosses the room.
KOLYA.
That’s it. She’s in love.
BELLA.
Or worse.Katya, what is it?
KATYA.
Ma, Pa, I need a little time alone. Good night!
BELLA.
Katya…
KATYA.
Tomorrow. Everything tomorrow.
BELLA.
Katya… Kat…
KATYA.
Mom, I said…
BELLA.
Who is he?
KATYA.
Who?
BELLA.
Him.
KATYA.
Him? Oh… He. A police colonel. Now go to bed, Mom. (Disappears.)
KOLYA.
She’s in a good mood. May be this is the perfect time to tell her.
BELLA.
No! Not now. Later. Yes — later.
KOLYA.
I can’t keep hiding all this from her!
KATYA (enters).
Is there something I don’t know?
BELLA.
Katya dear, go to bed. It’s late.
KOLYA.
Katya, sit down.
KATYA.
No. I better stand. Keeps me awake.
KOLYA.
Oh, you’ll be awake alright.
BELLA.
Kolya!
KOLYA.
Katya… sweetheart… we love you very much. You know that.
KATYA.
Okay… and?
BELLA.
Stop it! No!
KOLYA (to BELLA).
Let’s calm down. There’s no going back.
KATYA.
Mom, that’s enough! Go on Pa.
KOLYA.
The truth is… you’re not our biological daughter. We never had children of our own.
(A Pause.)
KATYA.
Is this some kind of a joke?
KOLYA.
You see, Katya… we adopted you in a not entirely legal way.
BELLA.
Completely illegal!
KATYA.
Mom… you’re joking, right?
BELLA.
That day… was recorded as your birthday. There was a blizzard. A pregnant woman was hit by a car and brought into our hospital by road cops. She was unconscious. No ID, no next of kin. Her blood pressure dropped… she died in front of me.
KATYA.
Mom, why all the details?
BELLA.
But we managed to save the baby.
KATYA.
And the baby is…
BELLA.
Yep. You weighed barely three pounds. We fought for your life. Oxygen, feeding tubes, an incubator…
KOLYA.
Bella, no need for all that detail…
KATYA.
Go on! Tell me everything!
BELLA.
You were supposed to be sent to an orphanage. But in those conditions… you wouldn’t have made it.
KOLYA.
Bella!
BELLA.
So I pulled strings. I paid someone off. Got the deceased mother cremated — with a fake story that the baby had died too. I don’t even know if they actually buried her…
KATYA.
No. This is… this is insane. You… lied to me…
BELLA.
I took a long vacation. Nursed you to health at home. Procured a birth certificate. And so, Katya — you became our daughter.
KOLYA.
Our daughter. End of story!
(A Pause.)
BELLA.
No. Not the end of story. That woman — your real mother — was dressed and looked like a gypsy. That’s all I know. Now, end of story.
Scene Five
A sad Gypsy song is heard.
The dressing room of a Gypsy theater. ROMAN and KATYA enter from opposite wings. KATYA immerses herself in the magical atmosphere of the theater, delighted. ROMAN examines a sheet of paper and presses it to his heart. They come together. ROMAN looks at KATYA with admiration. She shakes her finger at him and shrugs: “I don’t understand”. They dance together. They sit side by side at the front of the stage, waiting for the song to end.
ROMAN.
It’s a powerful story. It’s a powerful enough for a stage performance.
KATYA.
Powerful. So… are you taking me into the tabor (gypsy camp)?
ROMAN.
Into the tabor? Of course, we are!
KATYA.
Amazing… I grew up Jewish. Now I’ve turned out… Gypsy.
ROMAN.
A pure-blooded Gypsy.
KATYA.
Again, is there something I don’t know?
ROMAN.
When I saw you, I immediately knew it was you. Such resemblance to your mother… It couldn’t be a coincidence.
KATYA.
Sir, You knew my…?
ROMAN.
Let’s drop the “Sir.” Can we talk like equals?
KATYA.
Okay.
ROMAN.
Her name was Lyalya Sokolinskaya. Lyalya… I loved her very much. But then Rada—my wife—started having health issues… and I…
KATYA.
The old “sick wife” story.
ROMAN.
Yeah… Lyalya had a fiery temper. She slammed the door, walked out right before the performance. Almost killed the show. But what a voice! Unbelievable. Then she just… vanished. And life went on.
(A Pause.)
KATYA.
So who decided that I’m “pure-blooded”?
ROMAN.
I did.
(A Pause.)
KATYA.
Long pause, don’t you think?
ROMAN (Hands her the document).
Look. A 99% match.
KATYA.
What is this?
ROMAN (snaps).
You can’t see what is it?! It’s all there!
KATYA.
Whoa. Whoa. Calm down.
ROMAN.
No one here can tell me to calm down. But you can. (After short Pause.) It’s a DNA test. So I’m your father.
(A Pause.)
KATYA.
And how did you take the sample?
ROMAN.
Very simple. You drank from the glass. I put the glass in my pocket. Am I a gypsy or not?
KATYA.
So now my Bio-Papa has been found?
ROMAN.
What is “Bio-Papa”?! A father. Your father was found.
KATYA.
Father? My father is waiting me at home. One hour away. (Is about to leave.)
ROMAN.
I have three sons. But I always wanted a daughter. Always. Turns out — I already have one.
KATYA.
You have…
ROMAN.
My family knows everything. They’re waiting for you. They really are.Rehearsal’s starting. Are you coming?
KATYA starts toward the wing, then returns and hugs ROMAN.
Lights fade.
Music.
Scene Six
KATYA’S appartment, where she lives with her adoptive parents.
BELLA (sadly).
Three handsome brothers… That’s… wonderful. Yes. We’re… we’re very happy. Very… happy for you. Three brothers, that’s…
KATYA.
Happy? Then why are there tears in your eyes?
BELLA.
Tears? What tears?
KOLYA.
We’re just afraid they’ll take you from us that they will take you… to the Gypsy camp.
BELLA.
Oh, come on! Don’t be ridiculous. Where would I go? Honestly!
BELLA.
Katya… forgive us, but we’re not going to meet them. Your… Gypsy family.
KATYA.
Whoa. Not good enough for you?
BELLA.
That’s not it, my darling. The adoption wasn’t legal. If it comes out… you can guess what could happen.
KATYA.
No! No, I don’t get it! Saving a baby from death, raising her with love is an act of goodness. But if the documents weren’t right, than this is a crime?
KOLYA.
Sadly… yes.
BELLA.
I can’t be sure that your Romani relatives won’t spill the secret. You don’t want me to end up in prison, do you?
KATYA.
I get it. This is a pity. Real pity. Anyway, Ma, Pa… I have a rehearsal.Wait. There’s something else, Katya.
(A Pause.)
KOLYA.
We’ve been granted permission to emigrate.
KATYA.
Emigrate? Can you be more specific?
BELLA.
We are going toAmerica!
(A short pause.)
KATYA.
Are you serious?! What the hell — America?! Did you take your temperature today? What’s wrong with you?
KOLYA.
You’ll enter a university there. A new life. New opportunities. All for you. We’re old and have no ambitions. When things settle, maybe you can bring your brothers over too. They’re family, after all. But if you won’t go, we’ll stay.
BELLA.
Absolutely. That’s non-negotiable.
KATYA.
My dear parents… You want this. You’ve always wanted it. I remember — whispers in the kitchen, thinking I was asleep. I was little, but I heard. And I was terrified. I cried into my pillow, afraid you’d leave without me.
KOLYA.
But we didn’t. See? You were scared for nothing.
KATYA.
Once, a gypsy woman stopped me on the street. Spoke to me in a gypsy tongue. I thought she was crazy. Then she looked into my eyes and said, “Everything will happen as you decide”. Then she turned and walked away. Back then… I had no idea who I was.
KOLYA.
I’m sorry. We should’ve told you sooner.
KATYA.
Maybe not. Maybe… now is exactly the right time.So… America you say?
BELLA.
That’s the plan.
KATYA.
Do they have gypsies there?
BELLA.
Again with the gypsies?
KOLYA.
Of course they do!
BELLA.
Don’t worry. When you’re ready to get married, we’ll find you a nice Jewish boy.
KATYA.
Of course! I was half-Jewish once, remember?
BELLA.
Shhh! Officially, you still are. Just don’t jiggle your cleavage at passport control — we’ll blow our cover.
Lights fade.
Music.
Scene Seven
The dressing room of a Gypsy theater.
A sad Gypsy song plays. KATYA, saying goodbye to the theater, walks toward ROMAN. Through gestures, she tells him about her upcoming departure with her parents. We do not hear their conversation. Everything is clear from their gestures. ROMAN is shocked. KATYA is upset, but the decision has been made.
After a pause, facing the audience, they suddenly embrace in a passionate Gypsy manner.
ROMAN gives KATYA LYALYA’S shawl — her mother’s shawl. KATYA spreads the shawl behind her back. They dance. ROMAN remains behind her, becoming part of the background.
ROMAN disappears. KATYA dances flamenco.
Lights fade.
Scene Eight
The airport departure hall. A sad Gypsy melody is heard.
BELLA, KOLYA, and KATYA, carrying their hand luggage and boarding passes, move slowly toward the gate one after another, as if in a line. They look back, saying goodbye to the world they are leaving behind.
BELLA, sensing that something is wrong, suggests that KATYA go first. KATYA stays behind. They continue walking, looking back at the world they are leaving forever.
KATYA falls behind. BELLA and KOLYA turn around. BELLA rushes toward KATYA. KOLYA grabs her by the hand and stops her. He shakes his head, silently saying: “Don’t.” BELLA is horrified.
KATYA steps backward. A farewell gesture.
KOLYA and BELLA disappear.
KATYA moves to the front of the stage. She prays with her eyes closed. A moment of revelation. She looks out into the audience, removes the hair tie from her hair, and walks along the stage. She approaches the orchestra.
At the end of the song, the musicians, with dancers among them — including ROMAN and RADA — surround her.
A five-second pause.
Lights fade.
Music.
END OF PLAY
Leon Agulansky 2025
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