DANIEL JOHN KELLEY

Synopsis

Al Gibbins is horror-stricken. On the eve of the high school dance, he has stained his best shirt with reddest ketchup- a tragedy so great that he resolves to flee his life and all he knows forever. When his sweetheart, Lily Droshpat, hears of his flight, she kills herself. When suddenly Gibbins returns, his shirt cleaned by the Gods, he finds Droshpat dead and vows never to love another woman.  In college, however, he finds himself in love again, and quests to the very depths of Hades to be released from the vow. Instead of finding release, however, Gibbins unleashes the fury of woman scorned that vows to destroy him and everything he loves.  With elements of Greek drama, Shakespeare, and classic vaudeville shtick, Love, Death and Vengeance: A Comedy  journeys from the throne of Olympus to a college frat party, from prom night to the fiery depths of Hades, and beyond. 

Performance History

Love Death and Vengeance: A Comedy was originally commissioned in the summer of 2006 for the Lancaster County Day School. It was commissioned by the head of the school’s theatre program, Anya McMillen, who directed the world premiere, presented in November 2006.


In December 2006, Love Death and Vengeance: A Comedy received a professional developmental reading with New Sounds Theatre in NYC, directed by Scott Embler, and featuring the accordion music of Will Holshauser.


In April of 2007, a shortened version of the play, entitled Gibbins, was presented in the American Globe Theatre’s annual 15 Minute Play Festival, and won awards for Audience Favorite and Best Director (Anthony C.E. Nelson), with honorable mentions for Best Actress (Leah Rudick, Droshpat) and Best Play.


Love Death and Vengeance: A Comedy received an independent Equity Showcase production in December 2007 at the Gene Frankel Theatre in New York City, directed by Emily Plumb and Anthony C.E. Nelson. 

Press

“He [Daniel Kelley] sustains his concept brilliantly…walking the line between John Hughes parody and Sophocles parody with distinction.”

“The evidence of a talented young writer to keep an eye on is clear.”

-Martin Denton, Nytheatre.com 


“Adding “A Comedy” to the title of a play is always dangerous, for it adds the high expectation of laughter to that show. Luckily, Daniel Kelley…knows how to conjure up a laugh: in this case, it’s by cramming every Greek myth he could remember into the show.”

-Aaron Riccio, Show Showdown