A SAMUEL FRENCH, INC. TITLE

Apostasy

Full-Length Play, Drama  /  2w, 1m

Gino DiIorio

"Mr. Dilorio's fearless play...is more than a soap opera. He weaves
in compelling exchanges on issues of faith. Julius's unorthodox
explanation of how he views his job is especially delicious." - The New York Times
"Playwright Gino Dilorio has done an amazing job of presenting
religion with a nice blend of faith and cynicism. This production is
full of outstanding performances, surprise twists, and will keep you
riveted from start to its amazing finish." - Upstage Magazine

Apostasy

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  • Cast Size
    Cast Size
    2w, 1m
  • Duration
    Duration
    105 Minutes
  • Suggested Use
    • Scene work
  • Audience
    Target Audience
    Adult

Details

Summary
Sheila Gold, 55, a successful Jewish businesswoman suffering from terminal cancer, is spending the end of her life in a comfortable hospice where her only companion is her 30 year old daughter, Rachel. The two have a tense relationship as Rachel has spent most of her adult life working at Planned Parenthood and is generally a disappointment to her entrepreneurial mother.

While in the hospice Sheila has become fascinated by a late night televangelist, Dr. Julian Strong, a black man in his 50's. She finds his message inspiring and comforting and she writes Strong, offering to make a sizable donation to his ministry. Much to her surprise, Strong flies out to visit Sheila, presumably to see her sign the check in person. His physical presence is even greater than his TV persona and the two fall head over heels in love. Sheila begins to toy with the idea of converting to Christianity and spending her final days with Strong's church in California. This revelation upsets her daughter to no end as Rachel is certain that Strong is a crook, promising hope and salvation, when all he really wants is to come between her and her inheritance.

Is Strong truly in love with Sheila or is he only out for her money? Sheila must choose between her daughter and a new love and lifestyle, in what will certainly be her final days.
History
Apostasy was first presented by New Jersey Repertory Theatre on July 15, 2006. It was directed by SuzAnne Barabas. The play was subsequently produced at Urban Stages Theatre in New York City on March 15, 2007. It was directed by Frances Hill.
Keywords
SHEILA GOLD – An attractive woman in her 50s. She suffers from terminal cancer and has decided to spend her last days at a hospice. She was a successful businesswoman and can be difficult to deal with.
RACHEL GOLD – Her daughter, a plain woman in her 30s, almost the exact antithesis of her mother. She has worked at Planned Parenthood for five years and believes she is a disappointment to her mother.
DR. JULIUS STRONG – Adashing black man in his early 50s. He wears a sharp suit and has a magnetic stare. His smile is constant, but not painted on. Despite the trappings of his profession, there is something endearing about his demeanor
  • Time Period Contemporary, Present Day
  • Setting A hospice.
  • Additional Features Not Applicable
  • Duration 105 Minutes
  • Cautions
    • Mild Adult Themes
    • Nudity/Partial Nudity

Media

"When Sheila Gold announces to her grown daughter, Rachel, that she is thinking of trading in her barely used Judaism for late-model, born-again Christianity, it looks as if we're being set up for a play about religious faith. But Gino DiIorio has something else up his sleeve in Apostasy, the absorbing new drama...Sheila's flirtation with Jesus is going to turn into a flirtation of an entirely different kind. And abortion politics will intrude messily on the play's relationships. " - The New York Times

"Mr. Dilorio's fearless play...is more than a soap opera. He weaves in compelling exchanges on issues of faith. Julius's unorthodox explanation of how he views his job is especially delicious." - The New York Times

"Race, faith, money, betrayal, abortion, nudity, terminal illness, medical marijuana, middle-age sex...a button-pusher that seeks to provoke a reaction at every turn, even as it foils most attempts to predict plotlines and pigeonhole motivations." - Asbury Park Press

"Playwright Gino DiIorio pairs a terminally ill Jewish businesswoman with a charismatic black Christian televangelist, in a star-crossed love affair that raises questions about faith, self-deception, and what happens when we die." - NJN

"Playwright Gino Dilorio has done an amazing job of presenting religion with a nice blend of faith and cynicism. This production is full of outstanding performances, surprise twists, and will keep you riveted from start to its amazing finish." - Upstage Magazine

Music

  • Musical Style N/A (Not a musical)
  • Vocal DemandsN/A (Not a musical)
  • Chorus Size N/A (Not a musical)

Licensing & Materials

  • Minimum Fee: $120 per performance

Scripts

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Authors

Gino DiIorio

Gino DiIorio

Gino DiIorio is a playwright and professor of theatre at Clark University in Worcester, Massachusetts. His plays include: The Jag (winner, 2010 Firehouse Theatre’s Great American New Play Award; finalist, 2011 Laurents Hatcher Award Competition and 2010 Kean University Premie ...

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