Anthony Giardina

Custody of the Eyes Anthony Giardina

On an island in Maine, two men of the cloth - a Bishop and a disgraced former priest - conduct an investigation into the disappearance of a young priest. As his story is recounted, we see the young priest, Edmond, and a parishioner, Sheila, meet. Sheila wants Riley, her eleven-year-old son who has Canavan's disease, to receive communion. Edmond tries to educate a child considered incapable of communication. As Edmond becomes more involved with Sheila and Riley, he begins to question his religious and human role. In need of her own spiritual guidance and companionship, Sheila challenges Edmond's humanity, while also threatening his priesthood. "Penetrating intelligence and emotional entanglements aplenty ... As it closes with a haunting final question mark, the strength of CUSTODY OF THE EYES lies in its inability to answer its own pesky queries about church and the soul." -Cleveland Plain Dealer "Riveting ... Anthony Giardina creates a sense of urgency that feels as if the story's two main characters are racing toward destruction ... Giardina keeps us glued to our seats ... The play has a final burst of clarity that's overwhelming ... this unsettling play, which also offers a lingering note of hope." -Akron Beacon-Journal "Immediate, resonant and relevant for believers and atheists alike ... the messages in CUSTODY will echo for some time" -Scene (Cleveland)