Casting director Judy Bowman called me back by for two different roles in the upcoming premiere of Vatican Falls, a new play opening at The Tank this October.
VATICAN FALLS, a fictional work based on factual accounts and events, takes on the Catholic sex abuse nightmare by chronicling the journey of one survivor amidst the backdrop of the (still) ever-growing scandal. The epic work bounces back and forth in time and location from Boston in 2002 when the scandal first broke to Benedict being elected Pope in 2005 to his stepping down and Francis becoming Pontiff…and beyond.
– New Play Exchange
I was called back for the lead role, Riccardo, as well as his fictional abuser, Father David. Here are the breakdowns the each role:
RICCARDO Male. (late 20s-late 30s). Riccardo is Italian-American. LEAD. Charismatic, uses his good looks to mask a wounded soul. A bit of an enigma. Appears he ‘has it all together’, but is haunted by his past, regrets that he wasn’t able to protect his younger brother Peter from the abuse they both suffered at the hands of Father David. As a boy, was a talented swimmer and had a lovely singing voice in church. If he sings as an adult, it is full of pain–and he refuses to sing for anyone. In flashback scenes, plays his younger self, full of talent and promise. ***Actor should be able to sing in a lovely, pure way.
FATHER DAVID Male. (late 20s-40s). Charming, manipulative, handsome, very good at gaining trust. Swim coach to Riccardo and other young boys. Develops a strong friendship/flirtation with Riccardo & Peter’s mother when they were young. Uses his compassionate listening skills and charm to draw people in. Good at ‘relating’ to young altar boys: he is one of the younger priests. Likable, despite the fact that he’s an abuser. Convinced himself that he is helping young men with his ‘friendship’.
The Vatican Falls is a co-production between The Tank and High Voltage, written by Frank J. Avella and directed by Carlotta Brentan and playwright Frank J. Avella.
Find out more and get tickets here!