While he may have had other compelling reasons, Louis Rose, a German Jew arrived in San Diego, just as California attained statehood. His presence was particularly instrumental in the formation of San Diego’s Jewish community. Through some networking with Sean Boyd, first-time playwright, Redman, garnered the support he needed to pen Thorn & Petal. Using Donald H. Harrison’s well-researched biography, Louis Rose: San Diego’s First Jewish Settler and Entrepreneur, as a “key source of inspiration,” Redman took some liberties to enrich the lives of his characters. I wanted to understand why Rose had been successful in settling San Diego’s first Jewish community, and was told that he was extremely resilient.