The Jew of Bologna
by Jules Tasca

The Jew of Bologna Book Cover — The Jew of Bologna Cover

Highlights

Female

Male

Victorian (British and American)Expandable CastingInterior SetPeriod Costumes

Synopsis

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.

Characters

Character	Gender	Age	Description
Solmone Mortara a Jewish upholsterer and Edgardo's father.	male	—	a Jewish upholsterer and Edgardo's father.
Marianna Mortara Edgardo's mother.	female	—	Edgardo's mother.
Pius Ix the Pope.	—	—	the Pope.
Brigadier Augostino a Papal policeman.	—	—	a Papal policeman.
A Cloaked Figure messenger.	—	—	messenger.
Father Feletti an Inquisitor.	—	—	an Inquisitor.
Father Sarra a Rector.	—	—	a Rector.
Sabatino Scazzocchio a Jewish leader.	—	—	a Jewish leader.
Cardinal Antonelli Papal Secretary of State	—	—	Papal Secretary of State
Anna Morisi a servant.	—	—	a servant.
Sister Katrina an instructor in the House of the Catechumens.	—	—	an instructor in the House of the Catechumens.
Sister Mary Joan a French sister.	female	—	a French sister.
Edgardo Mortara a 21 year-old convert.	—	—	a 21 year-old convert.