Marty Finklestein, a struggling theater director, has been bequeathed The Portrait of his 18th Century Jewish ancestor. Over pate and crepes, at a dinner hosted by his wealthy cousin Toddy Renard, antics by the French maid Honore, high notes from Marty’s singer wife Alissa, and pretentions about their early American Jewish roots, a wager is made as to who will buy The Portrait.