Paulus: A Historical Drama in Three Acts

By Frank Spezzano

“Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your minds.” Saint Paul

As if holding a candle up to an ancient canvas, playwright Frank Spezzano shines a light on a relatively obscure event in early Christian history, illuminating the story of the runaway slave Onesimus and his encounter with Paul the Apostle in a Roman prison. With a panoply of characters, as real and as flawed as you could ever hope to meet, this lively dramatization has a message of compassion at its core. St. Paul’s letter to his friend, Philemon, the runaway’s master, is a tender and personal expression of the saint’s famous doctrine on forgiveness. Here, we see Paul not as distant or lofty figure but as a gracious, humble man who acted on his beliefs, while Onesimus, a young man yearning for a better life, finds the greatest freedom of all in faith. This is a story of kindness and mercy, a tale for our turbulent times.

• Language: English
• Publisher: iUniverse
• Release date: Jan 19, 2019
• ISBN: 9781532048586

Frank Spezzano

Frank Spezzano is: actor, director, author, teacher and playwright. His career began many years ago with St. Thomas More Players in Hamilton. He studied Commedia dell’Arte at the Piccolo Teatro of Toronto under the direction of Bruno Mesaglio. Studied drama with Ron Hartmann, speech with Dora Mavor Moore and took coaching lessons from Bruno Gerussi from the Stratford Festival, Ontario. As Leading Actor, he played, Tranio, The Taming of the Shrew; Malvolio, Twelfth Night; Friar Laurence, Romeo and Juliet; Kent, King Lear; Francois, The Trial of Louis Riel; Arlecchino, The Liar, Family of the Antiquary and The Venetian Twins; Lob, Dear Brutus; Sirelli, and Agazzi in Right You Are; The Father, Six Characters in Search of an Author; Mr. Poppa, in Yes Or No and many other roles. Herbert Whittaker while reviewing The Liar for The Globe and Mail in 1973, said “…in the great role of Arlecchino he brings to it the right ebullience, nimbleness and projection.” As Director, he directed: Vortex, Voices of Desire, Through A Glass Darkly, Julius Caesar, A View from the Bridge, A Curious Accident, Sicilian Limes, Right You Are, The Venetian Twins, The Family of the Antiquary, The Imaginary Invalid, Twelfth Night, The Sound of Music, Naked, Oliver, The Adventures of Pinocchio, The Gondoliers, Marriage Italian Style, Tosca, Suor Angelica, and Gianni Schicchi. As Teacher, He holds Degrees from: York University B.A.1978, University of Toronto B.Ed. 1979, and a Master of Science in Education from Niagara University, USA, 1991. In addition, Mr. Spezzano is a Mentor for the Post Graduate Program of Education at OISE. As Playwright, he wrote: Something Wrong, Brief Relation, Mr. Coat and Mr. Shirt, The Squeal and Bressani, his first publication. Paulus is a drama based on pardon and most dear to his heart. As author he published: Ivan Kocsis and the Aboriginal Peoples of North America, Caught Between Swastika Hammer and Sickle, a novel about a soldier’s dissidence in W.W. II during the Nazi Regime.

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Copyright © 2018 Frank Spezzano.

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ISBN: 978-1-5320-4857-9 (sc)

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iUniverse rev. date: 01/17/2019

Paul’s Conversion on the Way to Damascus

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Saul falls from his horse when a voice said: "Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?

Caravaggio (Michelangelo Merisi da Caravaggio), Mailand 1577? Porto Ercole (1600 – 1610) Bekenrung des Paulus – Santa Maria del Popolo, Cappella Cerasi, Roma.

Caravaggio (Michelangelo Merisi da Caravaggio), Mailand 1571?

Porto Ercole 1610

In 1600, soon after he had completed the first two canvases for the Contarelli Chapel, Caravaggio signed a contract to paint two pictures for the Cerasi Chapel in Santa Maria del Popolo. The church has a special interest because of the works it contains by four of the finest artists ever to work in Rome: Raphael, Carracci, Caravaggio and Bernini. It is probable that by the time Caravaggio began to paint for one of its chapels, The Assumption by Annibale Carracci was in place above the altar. Caravaggio’s depictions of key events in the lives of the founders of the Roman See have little in common with the brilliant colours and stylized attitudes of Annibale, and Caravaggio seems by far the more modern artist.

Of the two pictures in the chapel the more remarkable is the representation of the moment of St Paul’s conversion. According to the Acts of the Apostles, on the way to Damascus. Saul the Pharisee (soon to be Paul the Apostle) fell to the ground when he heard the voice of Christ saying to him, ‘Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?’ and temporarily lost his sight. It was reasonable to assume that Saul had fallen from a horse.

Bekehrung des Paulus - Santa Maria del Popolo, Cappella Cerasi, Roma.

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Metropolitan Cathedral of Our Lady of the Assumption – Reggio Calabria, Italy

Acknowledgements

My most important recognition and appreciation must go to the distinguished individuals who contributed to the writing and publishing of Paulus. They are:

– Victoria White, my editor and consultant;

– Walter Korobaylo, my computer consultant;

– Luigi Speca and Alberto De Rosa tenacious actors of the Piccolo Teatro di Toronto since the 1950s;

– Toronto Reference Library;

– Regis College Library;

– my wife Rita for putting up with my enduring late hours;

– Mary Cammareri, friend and colleague who lives in Rome where Paulus journeyed and was executed under Roman Law;

– photographer Domenico Lofaro who was instrumental in obtaining permission to take photographs inside and outside the Cathedral of Reggio Calabria, through the kindness of Rev. Provost Gianni Polimeni of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Reggio Calabria, Italy. I am immensely grateful to you Domenico;

– James Caro who impressed me as actor and facilitated resources for the play;

– Cav. Anthony Avola, a friend and businessman of unequal quality;

– Teachers, colleagues and friends who have contributed to the readings of the play, and many others who have giving me guidance and the enduring spirit not to give up, but to continue till the end. Thank You All. Least, but not forgotten, many thanks go to Abraham Asto, professional actor and dear friend.

Dedication

To Rita, my wife, who ranks among those who forgive, and all those people that forgive others in moments of need.

Reviews

Paulus of Tarsus, pillar of Christianity, is the subject of this drama written by Frank Spezzano. A brilliant playwright of no mean stature. He is able to convey a message of purification to people today that abounds in strong moral values of spiritual identity. His analysis and the unfolding of each scene of the play are masterful realizations of classical drama.

Mimmo Crao, Actor

Set in the Roman Empire after Jesus’ birth, Paulus is written with engaging plot, robust action, lively characters and clever dialogue, each element interwoven with threads of delightful humour. The play not only entertains audiences, but also teaches Jesus’ message that ultimately it is only through the transforming power of forgiveness that there can be everlasting peace.

Carmela Bruno, Writer

Frank Spezzano has successfully captured the zeitgeist of the Roman era by showing us what many have failed to do before. Onesimus’ search for freedom under the oppressive yoke of the authoritarianism of Roman Law sends him on a quest that liberates him from slavery and drives him beyond the ideals of Roman citizenry and into the shadow world of Christianity under the leadership of its rising star, Paulus.

Jack Baret, Screenwriter

When the reader least expects it, Paulus is comical; at other times, it is an informative and informing work full of mischief and intrigue! At all times, the drama is a spirited labour of love with a redemptive message for our very troubled times. It plays with light and darkness and many musical chords to achieve its melodious quality!

An ambitious dramatic work by a seasoned playwright.

Edith Baguinho, Poet

Statue of Paul

The apostle Paul speaking to the Reggini Juliensi

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Plaque on the Cathedral Wall Commemorating Paul’s Arrival to Reggio Calabria.

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"Saint Paul put his foot on Calabrian soil at Reggio for the first time… from there the gospel of the good news began to transmit Christianity, into the entire region of Calabria, expanding in every direction from the Ionian to the Tyrrhenian side.

This beginning, I wish to underline, is the pride of the Church for the city of Reggio Calabria during my pastoral