A SAMUEL FRENCH, INC. TITLE

The Jew of Bologna

Full-Length Play, Drama  /  2w, 4m

Now in modern play form, The Jew of Bologna depicts the most sensational clash of religions in history. The church takes Edgardo Mortara, when he was a boy of six from his family, because a Catholic serving girl in the employ of the Jewish Mortara family baptized him when he was an infant...

  • Cast Size
    Cast Size
    2w, 4m
  • SubGenre
    Subgenre
    Faith-based
  • Audience
    Target Audience
    Adult, Senior

Details

Summary
Now in modern play form, The Jew of Bologna depicts the most sensational clash of religions in history. The church takes Edgardo Mortara, when he was a boy of six from his family, because a Catholic serving girl in the employ of the Jewish Mortara family baptized him when he was an infant. The abduction of this child throws the Mortara family into a maelstrom of torture, as Edgardo's father, Solomone, and Mother Marianna, attempt to wrench their son, Edgardo, away from Papal authorities. The case becomes a worldwide concern as this small boy evolves into a cause celebre. Prevented from ever returning to his Jewish Family, ironically, Edgardo grows into an apologist for the church that separated him from his family. Eventually, Edgardo becomes a priest and cuts his ties with his Jewish past to the heartache of his family.
Keywords

EDGARDO MORTARA - a 21 year-old convert. 
SOLMONE MORTARA - a Jewish upholsterer and Edgardo's father. 
MARIANNA MORTARA - Edgardo's mother. 
PIUS IX - the Pope. 
BRIGADIER AUGOSTINO - a Papal policeman. 
A CLOAKED FIGURE - messenger. 
FATHER FELETTI - an Inquisitor. 
FATHER SARRA - a Rector. 
SABATINO SCAZZOCCHIO - a Jewish leader. 
CARDINAL ANTONELLI - Papal Secretary of State
ANNA MORISI - a servant. 
SISTER KATRINA - an instructor in the House of the Catechumens. 
SISTER MARY JOAN - a French sister. 

Two male actors play Edgardo and Solomone. All other characters are played by two males and two females with obvious costume changes. 

  • Time Period Victorian (British and American), 19th Century
  • Setting A priest's sitting room in a church; Poitier, France. 1873. 
  • Features Period Costumes
  • Cautions
    • Intense Adult Themes

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: $110 per performance

Scripts

Available Formats:

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Authors

Jules Tasca

Through I.U.P., Jules Tasca has taught playwrighting at Oxford University in England and he has performed with a commedia dell’arte group in Central Italy. He is the author of over 125 (full-length and one-act) published plays that have been produced in numerous national thea ...

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