A Conversation With The Producers
SULLY: “The bomb under your seat isn’t the only one in this church, so I suggest you cooperate.”
Murphy puts on a brave face and sits up straight
FATHER MURPHY: “Okay, I’m listening. What do you want?”
SULLY: “First, I don’t want anyone to get hurt”
FATHER MURPHY: “Then get up and leave! I’ll wait a few minutes and call the police. No one has to get hurt.”
SULLY: “I didn’t start this to just walk away. People need to know the truth. You’re going to confess to things only a few of us know about…”
SYNOPSIS
A man, Sully, enters a church confessional and says he has been sexually abusing young girls. He eventually identifies himself as a priest and also reveals that he was molested decades before by the priest hearing his confession, Father Murphy. He warns Murphy not to get up as the confessional has been rigged with a bomb that will explode if Murphy tries to leave. Sully proceeds to broadcast the confession live on the internet and demands that Cardinal Abbott come to the church along with a high-ranking police official, Mendoza. Sully drops hints about his identity as Mendoza tries to negotiate his surrender, but she soon learns why Sully asked for her to join them as hidden connections emerge. Tensions continue to heighten until the truth comes out for all to hear. Sully knows that the statute of limitations has run out, but he wants justice more than vengeance. New revelations cause Sully’s plan to spiral out of control as the police prepare to storm the church. But Sully has a trick up his sleeve that leads to a potentially explosive twist.
Why "Bless Me Father"?
- Inexpensive to produce – very limited cast, wardrobe and production design as most of it takes place within the confessional box
- Limited shooting space means less crew is needed
- The setting and action allow for natural social distancing and easier compliance with industry COVID-19 standards if still in effect during production
- Only a few locations – soundstage, decomissioned church, and the street outside the church
- Deals with timely issues such as social justice and institutional corruption
- An unexpected ending that will leave audiences happy and saying that they didn’t see it coming
CAST
Nick Sandys as Father Murphy
Nick is a mainstay in some of the most respected theater companies in Chicago, including Remy Bumppo, Lyric Opera, First Folio and Chicago Shakespeare Theater. He is widely respected as an actor, director, teacher, fight coordinator and voiceover artist. He has been nominated for multiple Jeff Awards (top theater award in Chicago)
Mickey O’Sullivan as Sully
Mickey is known for his role on NBC’s Chicago PD as Detective Doyle, Showtime’s hit show, The Chi, and his independent film work such as Hunters Creed, and Misadventures of Mistress Maneater. He studied acting at Illinois State University, Michael Howard Studios, UCB-NYC, Chicago Shakespeare, Second City, and The Annoyance Theater. His acting reel can be viewed on his IMDB page here
Charin Alvarez as Deputy Commissioner Mendoza
Charin is a veteran of the Chicago stage and screen, appearing in productions at the Goodman Theater, Remy Bumppo and the Court Theater as well as TV shows like Easy, Shameless, Chicago Fire and feature films like Signature Move, Rogers Park and Saint Frances, which won awards at the 2019 South by Southwest Festival. Her acting reel can be viewed on her IMDB page here