WAR WORDS (a new play)

War Words consists of true stories based on interviews with combat veterans and active duty military personnel that have served in Iraq and Afghanistan. The stories are developed into monologues and will be delivered on stage by well-known actors.

The goal of this project is to give the general public a more intimate view into the experience of the men and women who serve and therefore have a more personal investment into how and when our military people are sent off to fight for our interests.  

War Words gives us the opportunity to hear why these men and women join up, their particular experiences overseas, their returns home and, perhaps most importantly, what they understand and want to translate to the rest of us who sit at home and say, “We support our troops,” with incredible ease but without truly understanding what that means.

War Words is being produced with support from the Atlantic Council.

Michelle was commissioned to adapt the memoir by Dr. Frank Spinelli for a TV series.

Frank Spinelli is a handsome, gay, doctor with a successful practice in the hip Chelsea section of Manhattan. He lives in a city he loves, has a thriving career, great friends, gorgeous lovers, a big, colorful Italian family that is close by (but, thankfully, not too close by) and a great sense of humor about it all.  He is living his dream— until he unexpectedly comes across a book that brings his past crashing into his seemingly charmed life.

The book is written by Bill Fox-- a former police officer and pillar of the community in Staten Island where Frank grew up. Bill was Frank’s childhood Boy Scout leader. He was also the man who molested Frank repeatedly when Frank was eleven years old.

Through Bill’s book Frank learns that Bill has been recognized as a hero for adopting numerous homeless boys over the past few years. Fifteen boys, to be exact.

Frank knows that these boys are not safe in Bill’s home. He goes to the authorities and agrees to be part of an operation to convict Bill Fox for past and current crimes. To do this, Frank must wear a wire, face his childhood abuser and find a way to manipulate a confession out of the man who once manipulated him.

Based on the true story of Dr. Frank Spinelli, Pee-shy is a deeply tense and moving story about settling the score with childhood demons and bringing an abuser to justice.