The Rebellious Angels Enjoy Malört

by Michael C. O'Day

[FULL LENGTH] Phil Grimalski is a crusty old Chicago barfly whose life is thrown into turmoil when he discovers a childhood connection with the newly elected Pope Leo XIV. Now, the forces of God and Satan are vying for Phil's soul - and the fate of Chicago's most promising young Harold team may hang in the balance.

[FULL LENGTH] Phil Grimalski is a crusty old Chicago barfly whose life is thrown into turmoil when he discovers a childhood connection with the newly elected Pope Leo XIV. Now, the forces of God and Satan are vying for Phil's soul - and the fate of Chicago's most promising young Harold team may hang in the balance.

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The Rebellious Angels Enjoy Malört

Recommended by

  • Greg Mandryk: The Rebellious Angels Enjoy Malört by Michael C. O'Day
    “

    I saw a reading of this at the Valdez Theatre Conference, and it was one of the highlights of the week. In the hands of a capable cast, O’Day’s script is a goldmine of laughs. Pass the Malört! Or better yet, don’t!

    I saw a reading of this at the Valdez Theatre Conference, and it was one of the highlights of the week. In the hands of a capable cast, O’Day’s script is a goldmine of laughs. Pass the Malört! Or better yet, don’t!

    ”
  • Craig Houk: The Rebellious Angels Enjoy Malört by Michael C. O'Day
    “

    Having been fortunate enough to catch a reading of The Rebellious Angels Enjoy Malört at the Valdez Theatre Conference, I was delighted by Michael C. O'Day's hilarious and moving play. At its heart is the wonderfully realized friendship between Phil and Joe, whose decades of shared history make every exchange feel authentic, funny, frustrating, and deeply human. O'Day balances sharp comedy with themes of faith, guilt, belonging, and change, delivering laughs without losing its heart.

    Having been fortunate enough to catch a reading of The Rebellious Angels Enjoy Malört at the Valdez Theatre Conference, I was delighted by Michael C. O'Day's hilarious and moving play. At its heart is the wonderfully realized friendship between Phil and Joe, whose decades of shared history make every exchange feel authentic, funny, frustrating, and deeply human. O'Day balances sharp comedy with themes of faith, guilt, belonging, and change, delivering laughs without losing its heart.

    ”
  • Marshall Logan Gibbs: The Rebellious Angels Enjoy Malört by Michael C. O'Day
    “

    Saw this read at the Valdez Theatre Conference and it killed! O'Day's character work is, per usual, very impressive. Their voices and relationships are distinct, unique, and layered with history. A love letter to Chicago, to Improv, the Satanic Temple, and Malört (okay, a very complicated love letter in the case of the last one). And he does all this while keeping the laughs rolling and rolling. Bravo to Michael C. O'Day on a terrific play and reading.

    Saw this read at the Valdez Theatre Conference and it killed! O'Day's character work is, per usual, very impressive. Their voices and relationships are distinct, unique, and layered with history. A love letter to Chicago, to Improv, the Satanic Temple, and Malört (okay, a very complicated love letter in the case of the last one). And he does all this while keeping the laughs rolling and rolling. Bravo to Michael C. O'Day on a terrific play and reading.

    ”
4M, 2W
PHIL GRIMALSKI - male, 70, Polish-American. As crusty a native-born Chicagoan as they come.
JOE BANNION - male, 70, Irish-American. Owner of Bannion's Pub in the Beverly neighborhood of Chicago. Devoutly Catholic, incredibly patient.
LILIBETH - female, mid 20s, Joe's granddaughter (so one-quarter Irish-American, otherwise any ethnicity). A Chicago bartender putting herself through college. Dresses in black and wears a pentagram.
SIMON - male, late 20s-early 30s, any ethnicity. An improv performer and member of the Satanic Temple of Illinois. Takes himself very seriously.
SAMARA - female, mid-late 20s, African American. An improv performer. Cool and collected, and genuinely talented.
PETE - male, early 20s, any ethnicity (though probably not African-American). Incredibly excited to live in Chicago now.

Development History

  • Reading, Valdez Theatre Conference, 2026