Near To Me - An Irish Gangster's Love Story
by Joseph Geringer

Near To Me - An Irish Gangster's Love Story Cover

Near To Me - An Irish Gangster's Love Story Book Cover — Near To Me - An Irish Gangster's Love Story Cover

Highlights

Female

Male

120 mins 1920s Interior Set Period Costumes Comedy

Synopsis

This nostalgic serio-comedy peeks into a typical home in Chicago's "Irish Bungalow Belt" in 1928 where not-so-typical events occur.

When a pair of gangsters - who aren't so tough after all - invade the serenity of the house, the result is entertainment in terms of quick action, hearty laughs and tender romance.

Tossing together a diverse blend of colorful characters in one amusing predicament after another, Near to Me is a moving tribute to the "good old days" when, let's face it, life could be quite chaotic.

What makes this play especially unique is its attention to historical detail.

While the story is fictional, its characters refer to actual people, places and events contemporary to the Roaring Twenties - sometimes on the very days on which this story is set.

An explanatory glossary in the back adds to the reading script and helps directors and actors better understand the era and the characters they portray.

Newspapers, magazines, even the 1928 "blue books" and phone directories were consulted for accuracy.

Near to Me is fun for all ages!

Characters

Character	Gender	Age	Description
Dr. Joe Garrison Semi-retired, has all the appearance of a small-town physician	—	—	Semi-retired, has all the appearance of a small-town physician
Ellen O'Halloran George's daughter, in her late 20s, ship-shape, red-haired, quite pretty and headstrong	female	20s	George's daughter, in her late 20s, ship-shape, red-haired, quite pretty and headstrong
Jimmy O'Halloran George's 12-year-old son, a fun fellow	—	—	George's 12-year-old son, a fun fellow
Mary O'Halloran George's wife, also from Ireland, attractive and patient	female	—	George's wife, also from Ireland, attractive and patient
Wally Getzel Ellen's moose of a boyfriend, not too bright	—	—	Ellen's moose of a boyfriend, not too bright
Fr. Michael Mcguinn O. Carm., gentle and soft spoken, in the right light resembles a finely chiseled plaster saint	—	—	O. Carm., gentle and soft spoken, in the right light resembles a finely chiseled plaster saint
Mrs. Koehnke Well-meaning neighbor	—	—	Well-meaning neighbor
Jeanette Her 10-year-old daughter	female	—	Her 10-year-old daughter
Officer Mulcahan Cop on the beat	—	—	Cop on the beat
Radio Announcer A voiceover	—	—	A voiceover
Officer Licciardi A rookie	—	—	A rookie
Captain Salvatore Incardona Plainclothes detective, bullish, speaks in a thick Sicilian accent	—	—	Plainclothes detective, bullish, speaks in a thick Sicilian accent
George O'Halloran Born in Ireland, but has lived in American for 12 years, a lean, little man, jovial	—	—	Born in Ireland, but has lived in American for 12 years, a lean, little man, jovial