Free admission for Gallo play at Kennedy Center, Aug. 31

Anthony Gallo's play, "Eugenio," will be performed at the Kennedy Center's Page-to-Stage Festival Saturday, Aug. 31 at 1 p.m. in Rehearsal Hall 2. Admission is free.

This two-act drama examines forgiveness amidst three conversions. 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.

Questions: Anthony E. Gallo (202) 544-6973 [email protected]
Eugenio: http://eugenio.aegallo.com