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

  • Jasmine Spiess: The Rebellious Angels Enjoy Malört by Michael C. O'Day
    “

    You can't help, but fall in love with every character in this play! Michael does an amazing job of building authentic relationships between characters and then putting them in the most insane situations, crafting a story that is both hilarious and heartfelt. Makes me want to be a part of an improv troupe named the "Rebellious Angels", but please... without the Malort!

    You can't help, but fall in love with every character in this play! Michael does an amazing job of building authentic relationships between characters and then putting them in the most insane situations, crafting a story that is both hilarious and heartfelt. Makes me want to be a part of an improv troupe named the "Rebellious Angels", but please... without the Malort!

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

    06.22.26 - One of my few regrets was missing a reading of this at the Valdez Theatre Conference, but boy, am I happy I followed up with it here on NPX. This was an absolute delight to read. I'd never heard of Malort before but have since looked it up and brother, does it sound like Devil's brew of the finest kind. I absolutely loved all the characters here, and using improv players to perform a sort of recruitment/intervention was brilliant. Michael O'Day has given me Chicago Hope in Satan!

    06.22.26 - One of my few regrets was missing a reading of this at the Valdez Theatre Conference, but boy, am I happy I followed up with it here on NPX. This was an absolute delight to read. I'd never heard of Malort before but have since looked it up and brother, does it sound like Devil's brew of the finest kind. I absolutely loved all the characters here, and using improv players to perform a sort of recruitment/intervention was brilliant. Michael O'Day has given me Chicago Hope in Satan!

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

    What I love about Michael's plays is the deep specificity and humanity of the characters, who always have strong - if misguided - convictions. This play also has a clear sense of place, deeply rooted in Chicago, with echoes ranging from urban exodus to improv culture. The physical comedy and combat are active and hilarious, but as silly and absurd as it gets, it always comes back to a deeper message about relationships. "Sappho's undercut" nearly took me out! A moving, weird, and hilarious play!

    What I love about Michael's plays is the deep specificity and humanity of the characters, who always have strong - if misguided - convictions. This play also has a clear sense of place, deeply rooted in Chicago, with echoes ranging from urban exodus to improv culture. The physical comedy and combat are active and hilarious, but as silly and absurd as it gets, it always comes back to a deeper message about relationships. "Sappho's undercut" nearly took me out! A moving, weird, and hilarious play!

    ”
View all 8 recommendations
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