The Calling

by Joel Stone

Carl, a mysterious stranger, is discovered sleeping on a church pew after funeral services presided over by the venerable Father Dan have ended. The priest soon learns that Carl is a nurse and that the deceased was his former patient. But Father Dan also gradually finds out that Carl is a troubled soul, possibly suicidal, and that nursing may not be his only calling.

Carl, a mysterious stranger, is discovered sleeping on a church pew after funeral services presided over by the venerable Father Dan have ended. The priest soon learns that Carl is a nurse and that the deceased was his former patient. But Father Dan also gradually finds out that Carl is a troubled soul, possibly suicidal, and that nursing may not be his only calling.

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The Calling

Recommended by

  • Cheryl Bear: The Calling by Joel Stone
    “

    A well done thriller which we are held captive in an exhilarating plot between these two men. Fantastic!

    A well done thriller which we are held captive in an exhilarating plot between these two men. Fantastic!

    ”
  • Sheila Rinear: The Calling by Joel Stone
    “

    This story starts in what feels like a familiar venue but Joel Stone steers it masterfully into an unexpected arena of terror and fear. And he does it with such real emotion that not only do the characters' demons show up, but their humor also bleeds through. This is a fast-paced male two-hander that makes for a riveting performance.

    This story starts in what feels like a familiar venue but Joel Stone steers it masterfully into an unexpected arena of terror and fear. And he does it with such real emotion that not only do the characters' demons show up, but their humor also bleeds through. This is a fast-paced male two-hander that makes for a riveting performance.

    ”
  • Aleks Merilo: The Calling by Joel Stone
    “

    A tightly written modern thriller. In a pressure cooker of a situation, Father Dan is taken by Carl into the darkest parts of the human soul. Scripted with both humor and tension, this is a surprising , taut, moral quandary.

    A tightly written modern thriller. In a pressure cooker of a situation, Father Dan is taken by Carl into the darkest parts of the human soul. Scripted with both humor and tension, this is a surprising , taut, moral quandary.

    ”
View all 4 recommendations

Development History

  • Reading, Public Theatre of San Antonio, 2020
  • Commission, NJPAC Stage Exchange, 2017
  • Reading, NJPAC, 2017

Production History

  • Professional, New Jersey Repertory Company, 2018