The Playwrights Database
ANTHONY ERNEST GALLO (1939 - )
Nationality: USAemail: Click here to contact Website: Click here
Literary Agent: Browne-Nederlander (212 822 4200)
Anthony E. Gallo is a playwright whose copyrighted, published, workshopped, and produced works include Margherita, Eugenio, Better than the Best, Solomon, Vandergrift!, Lincoln and God, and the agony of David. Plays in progress include Candles in the Universe and Jacob. Screenplays in progress include The Beech Forest, apart, The Eastern Market, and Vandergrift! and Croquet. His focus is in dramatizing the Judeo-Christian experience. Mr. Gallo is artistic Director of the Seventh Street Playhouse in Washington. He is a member of the Dramatists Guild in New York and the Playwrights Forum in Washington
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below is a list of Anthony Ernest Gallo's plays - click on a Play Title for more information
Agony Of David, The Better Than The Best Botticelli Cruise, The Charleston Revisited David: The Opera Eugenio Last Days Of King Solomon, The Lincoln And God Lincoln and God: The Musical Margherita Paul Vandergrift!Agony Of David, The
Synopsis:
This two-act tragedy of faith and sin is totally based on the life of David, second king of Israel, and pivotal to the two Davidic religions, Christianity and Judaism. David, mighty King of Israel, rules the entire region after being crowned King of Israel in 1010 BCE. He has put together a kingdom against all odds. But this providentially endowed military and political genius, poet, spiritual, harpist, sportsman, and dancer is beset by tragedy. He has proven to be a less than satisfactory father and husband, and while called upon create a kingdom for God on earth, has incurred God's wrath. His is a life of faith and struggle reflected by conflicts with his God, political and military enemies, his children, family of origin, and the House of Saul. He must face the tragic consequences of his decisions but in the end is sustained by a remarkable faith, reflected in the enduring fifty psalms which he wrote three thousand years ago.
Notes:
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1st Produced:
Sanctuary 2007
Company:
Seventh Street Playhouse
1st Published:
Browns Court Publishing Company, Washington, DC, 2007 -
Music:
-
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Genre:
Play/Drama
Parts:
Male: 11 Female: 4 Other: 2
Further Reference:
-
Top of PageBetter Than The Best
Synopsis:
This two act play is about the rise, growth and fall of the Industrial age in the United States. at the end of the nineteenth century, Pittsburgh steel executives build the world's largest steel plant and a worker's paradise to house workers in Pennsylvania. Workers are essentially required to purchase lots in the new town at inflated prices. The town grows with the rise of the steel industry, and nearly five thousand workers, mostly immigrant, are employed. But the town must adjust to automation and the collapse of the steel industry in the twentieth century The play begins In the early 1890's, when a steel tycoon Tom McDowell, tries to produce a unique marriage between architecture and industrialism to build a workingman's paradise. But his goal is also to destroy strikers and keep compliant workers happy. He hires Nicholas Law Lathrap, the Nation's preeminent architect, to design the town of Jenner, named after his partner, Captain Jacob J. Jenner. Ida Tarbell, who will someday expose J. D. Rockefeller, is intrigued by the idea and visits the town. She and McDowell clash over his flawed idealism and her subconscious biases. She revisits the town many times over the next half a century, each time reexamining her own and McDowell's ideals as the Nation goes through wars, depressions, the New Deal, the Union movement, and the final collapse of the steel industry
Notes:
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1st Produced:
Seventh Street Playhouse, Washington 2007
Company:
Seventh Street Playhouse
1st Published:
Browns Court Publishing Company, Washington, DC , 2007 -
Music:
-
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Genre:
period comedy Comedy
Parts:
Male: 4 Female: 2 Other: -
Further Reference:
-
Top of PageBotticelli Cruise, The
Synopsis:
Only three bizarre and confused characters, plus an elusive captain, appear in this two-act drama about a cruise on a small exclusive cruise ship, The Botticelli, which sails around the east coast of africa along the warm Indian Ocean. Bernard angus Berrington Sheed Chesterton Churchill Montmartre Phillips, late forties, is taking his fortieth cruise. Bergthora "Boo" Brodersen, BOO , now on her tenth cruise, early forties five times married likes her gin. Cognac, scotch, bourbon, martinis, but anything will do. and arthur, the accommodating Somalian waiter is very obliging toward both. They seem to like him too. all three appear to be what is on the surface, then more. Bernard proclaims he's more than one person. She enjoys being on deck and reading her favorite novelist and philosophic guru, J. B. Roehard. Bernard likes her legs. arthur seems secretive. They cruise toward dangerous ports with revolutions, terrorists, and pirates. all rumors of course. They each claim they want nothing. But then pirates invade the ship. and more happens
Notes:
-
1st Produced:
Corner Store Stage 26 Aug 2010
Company:
Seventh Street Playhouse
1st Published:
Browns Court Publishing Company -
Music:
-
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Genre:
Play/Drama
Parts:
Male: 3 Female: 1 Other: -
Further Reference:
-
Top of PageCharleston Revisited
Synopsis:
This two-act mystery-comedy takes place on Logan Street in the heart of the renowned Charleston Historic district. Indomitable Charleston matron Charlotte Hamilton, raises thousands of flowers to the hum of classical music, cultivates birds, plays championship bridge, ballroom dances daily, cleans her own house, and tolerates her loose neighbor Louella (Whiskey) Hutton. Whiskey's latest flame is the distinguished former New Hampshire Congressman Mark Moncure, now a Logan Street resident, who appears to have a curious interest in Lou. When Whiskey has to cancel one of their dates because of an emergency in Savannah, Mark slips in and visits Lou. We then learn that the visit is more than a mere curiosity, as we find out that these two bizarre people have much in common. She even reveals her true age to him, as they stroll through Old Charleston to St Phillips' Cemetery.
Notes:
-
1st Produced:
Cosmos Theatre 2009
Company:
Seventh Street Playhouse
1st Published:
- -
Music:
-
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Genre:
Comedy
Parts:
Male: 3 Female: 1 Other: -
Further Reference:
-
Top of PageDavid: The Opera
Synopsis:
This opera of faith and sin is totally based on the life of David, second king of Israel, and pivotal to the two Davidic religions, Christianity and Judaism. David, once a shepherd boy and now the mighty King of Israel, rules the entire region after being crowned King of Israel in 1010 BCE. He has put together a kingdom against all odds. Even his enemies admit that he is God's chosen. But this providentially endowed military and political genius, poet, spiritualist, harpist, sportsman, and dancer is beset by tragedy. This husband of eight carefully chosen wives and father of seventeen children has proven to be a less than satisfactory father and husband, and while called upon to be the first to create a kingdom for God on earth, has incurred wrath. His is a life of faith and struggle reflected by conflicts with his God, political and military enemies, family of origin consequences of his decisions but in the end is sustained by a remarkable faith and strength of inner
Notes:
-
1st Produced:
Company:
Seventh St Playhouse
1st Published:
Browns Court Publishing Company, Washington, DC, 2011 978-1460915981
Music:
-
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Genre:
Opera
Parts:
Male: 5 Female: 3 Other: 7
Further Reference:
-
Top of PageEugenio
Synopsis:
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?
Notes:
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1st Produced:
Dorothy Strelsin Stage, New York City 2003
Company:
Seventh Street Playhouse
1st Published:
Browns Court Publishing Company, Washington, DC , 2005 -
Music:
-
To Buy This Play:
If Publisher (above) is underlined then the play may be purchased by direct click from the Publisher, otherwise (below) are AbeBooks for secondhand, signed & 1st eds and other Booksellers for new copies
Booksellers:
Genre:
Tragedy
Parts:
Male: 5 Female: 2 Other: 3
Further Reference:
-
Top of PageLast Days Of King Solomon, The
Synopsis:
This two-act dramedy is about doubt and faith during the latter days of Solomon, long-time ruler of militarily and economically powerful Israel. The legendary monarch, who built the impressive Temple and holds together a diverse Nation by shrewd domestic and foreign marriages, has lost God's favor. He is the laughing stock of the nation because he supposedly can not even see the temple. When he approaches the Temple, all the lights go out. His treasonous chief minister is in hiding. Foreign countries wait to attack the borders, and the twelve tribes are fighting among themselves.
Notes:
-
1st Produced:
Universalist Stage, Washington, DC 2005
Company:
Seventh Street Playhouse
1st Published:
Browns Court Publishing Company, Washington, DC, 2005 -
Music:
-
To Buy This Play:
If Publisher (above) is underlined then the play may be purchased by direct click from the Publisher, otherwise (below) are AbeBooks for secondhand, signed & 1st eds and other Booksellers for new copies
Booksellers:
Genre:
Dramedy
Parts:
Male: 4 Female: 3 Other: -
Further Reference:
-
Top of PageLincoln And God
Synopsis:
Abraham Lincoln is the only American President who did not claim church membership. This two-act drama examines the complex relationship between the Nation's sixteenth President and his God during the Civil War. Lincoln's three -fold messianic intentions during his entire presidency are to remove the scar of slavery from the sacred Constitution, preserve the Union, and unite the Nation. "I am an accidental instrument of God's will." and the American people are "God's almost chosen people." and were the incredible oratorical skills of this self-educated man a sign of the Divine Will. The play traces his conflict with God through his defeats, triumphs, and tragedies as he heard God in the dialogue and actions of those closest to him. From his arrival in Washington dancing to the Mary Lincoln Polka to the Emancipation Proclamation and Second Inauguration, we follow the president as he clashes with other characters in the cast.
Notes:
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1st Produced:
Peter Marshall Theater 2007
Company:
Seventh Street Playhouse
1st Published:
Browns Court Publishing Company, Washington, DC, 2006
New Theatre Publications, Cheshire, UK (2009) -
New Theatre Publications, Cheshire, UK (2009) -
Music:
-
To Buy This Play:
If Publisher (above) is underlined then the play may be purchased by direct click from the Publisher, otherwise (below) are AbeBooks for secondhand, signed & 1st eds and other Booksellers for new copies
Booksellers:
Genre:
Historic Drama Play/Drama
Parts:
Male: 4 Female: 2 Other: 3
Further Reference:
-
Top of PageLincoln and God: The Musical
Synopsis:
The opera traces King David's conflict with God through his defeats, triumphs, and tragedies as he heard God in the dialogue and actions of those closest to him. From his arrival in Washington dancing to the Mary Lincoln Polka to the Emancipation Proclamation and Second Inauguration, we follow the president as he clashes with other characters in the cast. He struggles with his moral decisions with Gurley. He falls upon God with the collapse of his beloved wife Mary and death of son Willie. Faithful chief of staff John "Nico" Hay wants him to do the politically and morally right thing. Lincoln must even confront depression, allegations of homosexuality, and seances. The play ends with the congregation and cast (audience) singing the final sermon in Lincoln's honor.
Notes:
-
1st Produced:
Seventh Street Playhouse, Washington 2007
Company:
Seventh Street Playhouse
1st Published:
Browns Court Publishing Company, Washington, DC, 2011 978-1466371385
Music:
-
To Buy This Play:
If Publisher (above) is underlined then the play may be purchased by direct click from the Publisher, otherwise (below) are AbeBooks for secondhand, signed & 1st eds and other Booksellers for new copies
Booksellers:
Genre:
Musical
Parts:
Male: 7 Female: 2 Other: 5
Further Reference:
-
Top of PageMargherita
Synopsis:
Margherita Sarfatti and Benito Mussolini, former lovers, meet after a three-year separation. Il Duce suddenly appears at her door as she attempts to leave the country. What does he want? What does she want? The play takes place during a three-day encounter in 1939. Margherita is trying to leave the country when a mysterious man wearing a mask arrives. He is her former lover, Benito Mussolini. They spar back and forth, and then we immediately learn that there is a love hate relationship, with more hate than love on Margherita's part. a number of bizarre incidents follow. She is well aware of what he wants--the 1300 letters he has sent her during their 25-year affair. He knows she wants out of the county. and he does play with her mind. Margherita Sarfatti, (protagonist) fifties, Benito Mussolini's first biographer, former mistress of 25 years, advisor, and speechwriter, She is one of the wealthiest women in Italy, patron of the arts, and was once called the uncrowned queen of Italy. She is Jewish, which is why Il Duce had to break the relationship when he allied Italy with Germany in 1936.
Notes:
-
1st Produced:
Company:
Gamba Fraturra
1st Published:
Browns Court Publishing Company, Washington, DC, 2003
New Theatre Publications, Cheshire, UK (2009) -
New Theatre Publications, Cheshire, UK (2009) -
Music:
-
To Buy This Play:
If Publisher (above) is underlined then the play may be purchased by direct click from the Publisher, otherwise (below) are AbeBooks for secondhand, signed & 1st eds and other Booksellers for new copies
Booksellers:
Genre:
mystery romance
Parts:
Male: 3 Female: 1 Other: -
Further Reference:
-
Top of PagePaul
Synopsis:
This two-drama examines the complex life of Christianity's second leading theological architect, superseded only by Jesus of Nazareth. The play traces Paul's condemnations of the new Jewish Cult to his role as chief apostle and death for the new cult he has joined. Saul of Tarsus is Jerusalem's most prosperous tentmaker. He is a prestigious citizen of Israel and Rome, a Pharisee, a righteous man, a great athlete runner a lover of the law, and an eligible bachelor. He is charitable. He is patriotic. and he is zealous in all of these pursuits. Lately his public service is totally dedicated to stamping out a dangerous element in Jewish society, a cult of Judaism founded by a formerly troubled youth named Jesus of Nazareth. These lunatics are followers of a fraudulent megalomaniac who claimed he was God and executed for treason. and what does Saul proceed to do?
Notes:
-
1st Produced:
Comos Theatre 2011
Company:
Seventh Street Playhouse
1st Published:
Cosmos Theatre 2012 -
Music:
-
To Buy This Play:
If Publisher (above) is underlined then the play may be purchased by direct click from the Publisher, otherwise (below) are AbeBooks for secondhand, signed & 1st eds and other Booksellers for new copies
Booksellers:
Genre:
Play/Drama
Parts:
Male: 8 Female: 1 Other: -
Further Reference:
-
Top of PageVandergrift!
Synopsis:
In the early 1890's, steel tycoon George McMurtry, tries to produce a unique marriage between architecture and industrialism to build a workingman's paradise in southwestern Pennsylvania. But his goal is also to destroy strikers and keep compliant workers happy. He hires Frederick Law Olmsted, the Nation's preeminent architect, to design the town of Vandergrift, named after his partner, Captain Jacob J. Vandergrift. Ida Tarbell, who will someday expose J. D. Rockefeller, is intrigued by the idea and visits the town. She and McMurtry clash over his flawed idealism and her subconscious biases. She revisits the town many times over the next half a century, each time reexamining her own and McMurtry's ideals as the Nation goes through wars, depressions, the New Deal, the Union movement, and the final collapse of the steel industry
Notes:
Play can be performed with 4 males And 2 females.
1st Produced:
Company:
Seventh Street Playhouse
1st Published:
Browns Court Publishing Company, Washington, DC, 2006
New Theatre Publications, Cheshire, UK (2009) -
New Theatre Publications, Cheshire, UK (2009) -
Music:
-
To Buy This Play:
If Publisher (above) is underlined then the play may be purchased by direct click from the Publisher, otherwise (below) are AbeBooks for secondhand, signed & 1st eds and other Booksellers for new copies
Booksellers:
Genre:
Historic Dramedy Play/Drama
Parts:
Male: 8 Female: 3 Other: -
Further Reference:
-
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