ACROSS THE HOLY TELL (6f, 5m) is a tragedy about two mothers from opposite ends of the globe thrown together by circumstance, bonded by love, and destroyed by violence. Christine, a devout Catholic, joins the American military in response to the death of her father in 9-11 (leaving her husband Joe and autistic daughter Mary behind in Texas). Stationed in Baghdad at the start of the Iraq War, she develops a secret relationship with Mona (whose father was murdered by Saddam’s forces) and Mona’s deaf 13-year old daughter, Yasmin. As Christine and Mona strive to overcome cultural, religious and political differences, the war irrevocably destroys their lives
Cast:
CHRISTINE: American soldier, late twenties/early thirties. Devout Catholic raised in New York City. Her father killed in 9-11. Married to Joe with one daughter, Mary.
JOE: Christine's husband, early thirties. Loves motorcycles, video games, and his mother in that order. Computer specialist for the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms.
MARY: Christine and Joe's 11-year old autistic daughter. Although limited in language skills, she has extraordinary artistic skills.
MONA: Iraqi botanist in her thirties from a distinguished Baghdad family (her father was an outspoken physician murdered by Saddam). She has one daughter, Yasmin.
YASMIN: Mona’s 13-year old deaf daughter. She has an effervescent personality, loves to blog and dreams of becoming a doctor and meeting Bill Gates.
CHORUS: Four men and two women (multiple casting). In the first act they are soldiers, children, a teacher (and possibly Death). In the second act, they are pilgrims, children and a teacher.