By Anthony Ernest Gallo
(This play is dedicated to Dr. Eugene Fisher for his tireless efforts towards improving Jewish/Christian relations.)
ROME 1943: This two-act drama examines forgiveness amidst three conversions. Rome's aloof and scholarly Chief Rabbi Zolli loses faith following the apparent slaughter of his Polish family during the Holocaust. He receives asylum in the Vatican, where he comes to appreciate Jesus as God suffering for humanity. The Rabbi re-finds faith and converts to Roman Catholicism. This is seen as a betrayal of his spiritual duty and a defection to the age-old enemy. Was his conversion one of conviction or merely gratitude? What does he demand at his baptism that eventually removes a major symbol of discrimination? Like Jonah, in choosing a Christian path to God, the Rabbi is faced with forgiving the slaughtering enemy. How will he meet the challenge? Then the next two conversions are as shocking as the first.
He clashes with other characters as they too are forced to deal with forgiveness. Zolli's housekeeper will neither forgive nor forget the Nazi atrocities. A Nazi officer transports hundreds to Auschwitz and then seeks forgiveness through contrition and good works. A Cardinal attempts to assassinate Hitler, provides asylum to thousands, saves the Vatican, but should he have broken the diplomatic neutrality? A Catholic intellectual cleric has his faith severely tested by the death of his family. Does HE forgive God? The secular head of the Roman Jewish community, a former fascist, must make choices that will affect his community, but can he forgive a converted rabbi? The gutsy Calabrian Prioress valiantly hides refugees, but can she forgive her past?
Time Period: 1943 to 1956
Characters
Rabbi Zolli, (protagonist) mid- fifties, Chief Rabbi of Rome and Dean of the Rabbinical College. Polish born with a tremendous love for his new homeland. Intellectual, politically astute, very learned, mercenary,
spiritual, but insensitive and not people oriented. Disliked by his community. Widowed.
Colonel Helmut Schmitt, (antagonist) late twenties, handsome Nazi transportation chief. Totally devoted to the Furher, and very ambitious. Brilliant and arrogant.
Rosina, early forties, Zolli's housekeeper, but now also his administrative assistant. Totally devoted to the Rabbi, temperamental, outspoken, and afraid of no one. Hates Mussolini. Liturgically devoted Christian. Widowed by the war, she is the mother of three, with her only son missing in action. Lacks any formal education, but extremely bright and self educated.
Monsignor Hilary (also Major Sharp), late thirties, intelligence agent for Cardinal Maglione, and formerly a recognized classics scholar. German national, daring, champion of the underdog, very charismatic, educated, intellectual, and sensitive. Has been searching for his missing family for four years. An alcoholic.
Alberto Anso, late fifties, secular head of the Roman Jewish community. Non-religious former fascist, aristocratic, educated, benevolent with close political ties.
Sister Angelina, Nearly 90, but insists she is younger Her objective is to house as many refugees as possible and considerably more. Walks 6 kilometers a day, and fears no one
Cardinal Maglione, sixties, brilliant and cunning Vatican Secretary of State. Somewhat spiritual, but politically pragmatic, cigar smoking. His major goal is have the Vatican survive Rome's occupation. Knows church political history well.
Minor Characers: Robber, Radio Announcers,
Length:
67 Pages, Two Acts, Fourteen Scenes
Sets
Zolli's home, Maglione's Office, Rome's Spanish Steps (Optional), Dark.
PRODUCTION HISTORY
1. June 2001 Playwrights Forum Staged Reading
2. August 2002 Seventh Street Playhouse Reading
3. October 2003 Cosmos Theatre Public Stage Reading
4. March 2004 Playwrights Forum Public Staged Reading
5. April 2006 Seventh Street Playhouse Staged Reading
6. August 2006 Browns Court Publishing Publication
7. November 2006 Prime Time Theatre Reading
8. Years 2000-2003 PF Workshop Workshop