DAY-TIME: Actress portrays Catholic activist

"Fool for Christ" is about "Dorothy Day, the woman, the single mom, the writer, the peace activist and the friend of the poor," Ms. Melici said.

"After much research about her life, I felt the need to share her vision of peace and non-violence, as well as her work to promote social, economic and political justice. As an actress, a dramatization is a fitting way for me to share my feelings about her."

Day by day

On April 27, she will bring her suitcase of props, set and clothing to Albany to perform at St. Vincent de Paul Church in Albany. The occasion is a celebration of the fifth anniversary of the Albany Catholic Worker at Emmaus House.

The off-Broadway actress was inspired to take on the role when the pastor of her church -- St. Mary's in Colts Neck, New Jersey -- retired.

"He gave the parish a gorgeous statue of Dorothy Day," she told The Evangelist. "I knew about her, and in the back of my mind I always wanted to perform a play about a woman's life. After passing the statue outside of church time and again, I started to read books about her and after much research grew to love her message. I wanted to share it."

Woman of God

"Learning about Dorothy's enormous capacity for unconditional love; her devotion to trust in her God; her compassion for the working, the poor, the homeless, the sick, the prisoner; her commitment to non-violence and carrying out the works of mercy, are important lessons for me and my audience."

("Fool for Christ" is free, but a free-will offering will be accepted. A question-and-answer session will follow the play.)

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