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Were you raised in a Lower East Side tenement by a poor father who barely managed to make a living while fondly reflecting on his life in the Old Country? If not, do you have a similarly compelling story of your youth as a Jew in NYC? If so, you may get to see Donald Margulies' Brooklyn Boy for free. Manhattan Theatre Club (MTC), in affiliation with the weekly newspaper The Forward, is holding an essay contest for tickets to its world premiere production of the play, which is now in previews and is set to open on February 3 at the Biltmore Theatre.

Entries must be 800 words or less and must focus on the subject "What It's Like Growing Up Jewish In New York." One winner will be selected from each of four age groups: 10-14, 15-18, 19-34, and 35 and up.

To enter, mail your submission with your name, postal address, e-mail address, phone number, and age on a cover page to The Forward Writing Contest, c/o TMG, 512 Seventh Avenue, 2nd Floor, New York, NY 10018, or e-mail submissions@themarketinggroup.net. All entries must be postmarked by February 4, 2005. For complete rules, visit Forward.com.