Good Man
It’s 1998, and American Democracy is under attack, from the inside. The FBI is a criminal enterprise: illegal wiretapping, obstructing justice, and trampling the US Constitution. On the front lines is celebrated Las Vegas criminal defense (mob) attorney Oscar Goodman. A new American musical in two acts. David has written book, music & lyrics.
These are real photos of Oscar Goodman representing alleged gangster Anthony (“The Ant”) Spilotro, in and out of court. Oscar’s the taller one.
Tony was Oscar’s #1 client. He was also Oscar’s friend. Oscar always felt the FBI was using Tony as the face of All Organized Crime in Vegas. That they were too lazy, and corrupt, to do their jobs to prove his client guilty beyond all reasonable doubts before a jury of his peers, as outlined in the Constitution, which Oscar saw as his most important client. Oscar’s skills as a defense attorney kept Tony from prison, even as Tony was accused of some 22 murders.
Tony was infamous. He was a character. Joe Pesci played him in Scorsese’s “Casino.” Oscar appeared in the film as himself. It wasn’t the best career decision he ever made.
As in the film, Tony was found dead in a cornfield, buried in a shallow grave next to his brother. To Oscar, it was the loss of not only business, but a trusted, loyal friend... and a turning point in Oscar’s life. It was around this time that Oscar decided to change careers -- by running for Mayor of Las Vegas, a post he would be elected to for three consecutive terms. In the musical, he sings the song “Tony Spilotro,” which is an eleven o’clock (climactic) ballad, with the unlikely opening lyrics: “They killed Tony Spilotro in a cornfield…” It’s actually very heartfelt. I hope you get to hear it someday. As was the plan. (DG--08/12/20)