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

    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

    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.

  • Aleks Merilo: THE NAMES

    Atmospheric and intriguing. A surprising and poignant play, forcing the audience to ponder a deal-with-the-devil choice that forever defines the protagonist. Such a simple gesture takes on a powerful emotional heft in the most affecting moment, when the protagonist utters, “It’s not collaborating, it’s only singing”. It's been a while since a script has put me so much in the head of the protagonist.

    Atmospheric and intriguing. A surprising and poignant play, forcing the audience to ponder a deal-with-the-devil choice that forever defines the protagonist. Such a simple gesture takes on a powerful emotional heft in the most affecting moment, when the protagonist utters, “It’s not collaborating, it’s only singing”. It's been a while since a script has put me so much in the head of the protagonist.

View all 5 recommendations

Development History

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

Production History

  • Type Professional, Organization Theatre 33, Year 2023

Awards