Other Writing
Books
Plays
Radio
Television
Film
Books:
Blood of My Blood
(coming soon)
The second Smokey Annicelli mystery
After his godson and grunge-rock singer Ricky Bravere is found shot nine times in the back in a NYC stairwell, Smokey confronts a mystery that has his own long-buried guilt at its center and challenges his own will to survive.
The Testimony of Miguel
(unpublished)
Finalist for the 2000 Bellwether Prize for Fiction
A former Maya Indian revisits his life as he clears the rubble of the massive earthquake that has destroyed his city and business. At night, in his dreams, he hears the voice of a Morman aide to an eccentric American billionaire who died in the earthquake.
Plays:
Wilderness of Mirrors
Premiered at Theater for the New City, NYC, March 1996
Winner of the Center Theater International Playwriting Award, Best Play of the Year
An undercover CIA agent living in Honduras is forced to confront his conscience and the personal beliefs he has long surpressed when a wounded British mercenary lands on his doorstep.
Hide Mother In My Heart"If you're going to only one play this season, don't miss Wilderness of Mirrors by Ralph Pezzullo at Theatre for the New City. Bravo!" - Mario Fratti in America Oggi
"Muscular and impressive…. A vivid theatrical ride through the political jungles of Central America." - WBAI Radio
"Colorful and compelling theater." - Time Out New York
"Highly recommended." - The Village Voice
Premiered at Theater for the New City, NYC, September 1997
Jerome Foundation Playwriting Fellowship
Two brothers and ex-songwriting partners - one a burnt-out rock star, the other a damaged Vietnam veteran -unite and try to save one another amid the wreckage of their dysfunctional family.The Tail of the Tiger"Completely riveting from the opening scene to the high-energy, last minute, mind changing ending. With a fight and slashing scene that made my hair stand on end." - New York Theatre Wire
"A fascinating conflict beautifully rendered by the author and cast." - America Oggi
"A haunting symbolic, surrealistic drama that proves you can come home again, even if its to the wreckage of a severely dysfunctional family." - The Village Voice
Premiered at Theater for the New City, NYC,
Subsequent productions in London, Copenhagen, New York City, Mexico City.
Winner of a Kesselring Committee Award
A U.S. diplomat tries to convince a Latin American despot to leave his country as war rages around them.
Gauguin's Parrot"The best and most controversial play of the Off-Broadway season." - New York Daily News
"Powerful and compelling political theater." - Newsday
Premiered at Theater of the New City, NYC, January 2000
Jerome Foundation Playwriting Fellowship
A shoe salesman at Macy's imagines that he sees the world through the eyes of post-impressionist painter Paul Gauguin after he's hit on the head with a pair of boots.
On That Day"Farcical madness about one man's attempt to resolve his psychological dualities." - The New York Times
"Recommended." - The Village Voice
"Highly recommended." - Time Out New York
"A uproarious comedy about the psychic battle between a man's two personas. Hilarious …and highly original." - American TheaterPremiered at Theater for the New City, NYC, March 1994
Subsequent productions in Los Angeles, Seattle and Chicago.
Soon after he wakes up to the injustice he has been serving (after the apolitical wife of a moderate middle-class friend is raped and butchered by the army), a U.S. diplomat is kidnapped and interrogated by left-wing guerrillas.Spain"The audience was exhilarated! Shrewd and taut…. Full of persuasive detail and balance. Should reach a more mainstream audience." - The Village Voice
Premiered at Theater for the New City, NYC, April 2001
Subsequent productions in Tokyo and Milwaukee
Jerome Foundation Playwriting Fellowship
An existential comedy about a trapped and helpless middle-aged man confronted by an aggressive young woman who may or may not be his own subconscious.
The Education of One Miss February"Brilliant!" - Theatre Talk
"By turns hilarious, frightening and heart-breaking." - New York One
Premiered at TOMI Theater, NYC, April 1986
A Playboy bunny re-enacts the story of her rise to fame.
Okeechobee Split"Highly recommended. Side-splitting laughs and uproarious satire." - Manhattan Arts
"Inspired madness that never lets up." - NewsdayPremiered at Theater for the New City, NYC, May 2002
Jerome Foundation Playwriting Fellowship
Ghosts in the Dining Room
Premiered at Here, NYC, September 1989
From Behind the Moon
Premiered at Theater for the New City, March 1985
Eating the Shadow
Premiered at Theatre for the Open Eye, NYC, November 1990
Subsequent productions at The Open Center, Kampo Cultural Center
Bad Moon Rising
Premiered at RAPP Theatre, NYC, October 1987
Walk In My Soul
Premiered at Ensemble Theatre of Cincinnati, 1988
Asylum
Premiered at INTAR, NYC, May 1990
Finalist, Beverly Hills Best Play Contest
Stakes
Staged reading at the National Arts Club, NYC, March 2000
The Devil's Gap
Staged reading at La Mama, NYC, January 2001
Murder Sketched Gently
Staged reading at the National Arts Club, NYC, Match 2002
Dead-End Love
A rock musical; music by Rick Baitz
Radio:
The Life and Times of the Swamp Fox
A series of eight half-hour radio dramas based on the life of the Revolutionary War hero, General Francis Marion. Produced by South Carolina ETV and National Public Radio. Funded by the Mellon Foundation and National Endowment for the Humanities. Broadcast on NPR, BBC and CBN. Peabody Award Nominee.
Television:
Miami Vice
MAD TV
Politically Incorrect
Butch Cassidy & The Sundance Kid - one-hour docudrama, produced by DVTV for The Learning Channel.
The Dalton Gang - one-hour docudrama, produced by DVTV for The Learning Channel.
Thick & Thin - with Stephen Fife; pilot and treatment for a one-hour series about a team of private investigators who specialize in solving crimes of deception.
Dark Streets of Tinseltown - with Stephen Fife; pilot and treatment for one-hour series about a disgraced LAPD cop searching for his missing stepsister who is the showrunner of hit TV series.
Hercules NYPD - one-hour series based on the anti-threat unit of the New York City Police Department.
Film:
Jawbreaker - screenplay based on the non-fiction book by Gary Berntsen and Ralph Pezzullo, Paramount Pictures.
Black Dahlia Avenger - screenplay based on the non-fiction book by Steve Hodel, New Line Cinema.
Recoil - screenplay based on the novel by Jim Thompson, Charles Loventhal, Leverage, Aurelius Films.
The Walk-In - screenplay based on the novel by Gary Berntsen and Ralph Pezzullo, Aurelius Films.
Eve Missing - screenplay based on the novel, Charles Loventhal.
FUBAR - original screenplay, Mandalay Entertainment Group.
Mr. Cool - original screenplay, 3birds Entertainment.
One Day on Earth - directed by Dan Weaks. Broadcast on PBS and others.
Valentine to the Rescue - comedy/adventure; commissioned by director Charles Loventhal and Presto Films.
Life's A Dirty Business - comedy/drama; commissioned by Marisal Films International.
An Unacceptable Person - drama, Winner of the Writers Guild of America, East, Foundation Fellowship.
Healing In His Wings - optioned by Lion's Gate Films.
Flashback - a drama/suspense thriller, with Stephen Fife. Best Screenplay, New York Independent Film & Video Festival, 2000.
Cold Virginia - noir mystery/suspense thriller, with Stephen Fife.
Prodigal Blues - drama with music, based on the play Hide Mother in My Heart
Beckwourth - based on the true story of a Black mountainman who became War Chief of the Crow Indians.