THE NAMES

by Paul Lewis

Martina Visconti, a Jewish opera star, decides to remain in German-occupied Italy during World War II in hopes of protecting her impetuous younger sister Giulia, who has joined the Resistance. Meanwhile, an American GI in an embattled infantry unit south of Rome dreams of reaching Milan so that he can finally meet his operatic idol.

Names animate the play — the names which populate the Periodic Table of the...

Martina Visconti, a Jewish opera star, decides to remain in German-occupied Italy during World War II in hopes of protecting her impetuous younger sister Giulia, who has joined the Resistance. Meanwhile, an American GI in an embattled infantry unit south of Rome dreams of reaching Milan so that he can finally meet his operatic idol.

Names animate the play — the names which populate the Periodic Table of the Elements, the names of friends and lovers inked onto bare skin, the names of those who did not make it to the other side of the war.

This full-length play started its life as "The Italian Prisoner", a one-act play which has had eight productions across the country to date, winning Best of Festival awards at several of these.

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THE NAMES

Recommended by

  • Rich Rubin: THE NAMES by Paul Lewis
    “

    A brilliantly-constructed drama about family, friendship, and the challenge of finding one's moral path amidst the chaos of war. There are multiple narrative threads here -- each fascinating in its own right -- and Paul Lewis has somehow managed to weave them all together to form this remarkable tapestry. Both thematically profound and theatrically spell-binding ... bravo!

    A brilliantly-constructed drama about family, friendship, and the challenge of finding one's moral path amidst the chaos of war. There are multiple narrative threads here -- each fascinating in its own right -- and Paul Lewis has somehow managed to weave them all together to form this remarkable tapestry. Both thematically profound and theatrically spell-binding ... bravo!

    ”
  • Kitchen Dog Theater: THE NAMES by Paul Lewis
    “

    We are pleased to support this play! It was a Finalist for the 2019 New Works Festival at Kitchen Dog Theater in Dallas, Texas.

    We are pleased to support this play! It was a Finalist for the 2019 New Works Festival at Kitchen Dog Theater in Dallas, Texas.

    ”
  • Steve Lyons: THE NAMES by Paul Lewis
    “

    Beautifully written play about Italy in WW 2 and an Italian opera singer's turmoil in coming to grips with her life and legacy. Very engaging.

    Beautifully written play about Italy in WW 2 and an Italian opera singer's turmoil in coming to grips with her life and legacy. Very engaging.

    ”
View all 4 recommendations
CHARACTER BREAKDOWN (3M, 3F)
MARTINA VISCONTI, an operatic soprano, 30s. Certain of her calling since childhood.
Fiercely yet tenderly protective of her sister.
GIULIA, Martina's sister, younger by several years (late 20s to 30s). Impetuous, vehemently anti-Fascist. A loyal friend.
SAM, 20s, U.S. Army, Infantry. Plainspoken, with a tough-guy edge.
JOEY, 20s, U.S. Army, Infantry. Sam's Army buddy. Worried, high-strung and sensitive.
SCHRÖDER, 30s to 40s, a language professor pressed into service as a translator for the German military. Deeply conflicted.
GESTAPO OFFICIAL, F, 20s to 40s. Indecipherable.

Development History

  • Reading, Macha Monkeys Distillery Series, Seattle, 2017
  • Reading, Atlantic Stage New Voices PlayFest, 2017
  • Reading, FUSION Theatre, Albuquerque, 2017
  • Reading, Equity Library Theatre of Chicago, 2016

Production History

  • Professional, Theatre 33, 2023

Awards