The Lonely Secret of Mary Ann Zielonko (Kitty Genovese Story)

38 Witnessed Her Death, I Witnessed Her Love: The Lonely Secret of Mary Ann Zielonko (Kitty Genovese Story) is written and performed by LuLu LoLo based on interviews with Mary Ann Zielonko.

LuLu LoLo portrays Mary Ann Zielonko whose love affair with Kitty Genovese was kept secret for forty years. “We were lovers together. Everybody tried to hush that up.” In 1964, Kitty Genovese was brutally raped and murdered on the street in Kew Gardens, Queens, New York. As Kitty screamed for help, 38 witnesses ignored her cries or just watched the scene from their windows, doing nothing to help her. No one even called the police. No one “wanted to get involved.” This public apathy shocked the world. Forty years later Kitty Genovese’s lover recalls gay life in New York City in the 60’s, her love affair with Kitty, the night of the murder, the police investigation, the trial, the funeral, and the toll Kitty’s death took on her life. A short version of this play was performed at The 2004 Columbus, Ohio National Gay & Lesbian Theatre Festival.

“The performance that steals your heart — I was moved to tears” — Bill Kaiser, On the Purple Circuit