Tag: Pontelandolfo

Pontelandolfo’s Homage to Film Noir

by midgeguerrera, posted in Any Day in Pontelandolfo

Nonna Anna Film Group is just one of the collections of artists that are creatively nurtured by the hills of Pontelandolfo. Filmmakers, dancers, theatre people, photographers, painters and writers all call Pontelandolfo home. Living in a small village, I am often asked –

“Don’t you miss the cultural world of New York or Philadelphia.”

Nope, I don’t miss the traffic, crowds and cost. Artists – young and old – to talk to in the piazza. Popping up minutes from our home, arts events and creativity percolate in our little village.

Speaking of percolating – in the past few months Nonna Anna Film Group, led by producer/director Gianluca De Michele has moved from comedy to the dark and grungy world of film noir.

Towerburg – La Serie, is an episodic YouTube series that is different from the comic shorts the company has usually produced. I asked Gianluca why they have shifted artistic focus and the answer made me realize that these young filmmakers were more familiar with early Hollywood film noir than I was.

Gianluca said: Abbiamo scelto di cimentarci nel genere noir perché avevamo voglia di provare a fare qualcosa di diverso dalla commedia, che è stato il nostro unico genere nei corti precedenti. Così abbiamo intrapreso la strada del Noir, uno dei miei generi preferiti, e di un cinema drammatico, non rivolto alla risata. L’idea del corto è nata, parlando con Valerio, della voglia e della necessità di esprimermi attraverso il noir, in un periodo in cui ero totalmente immerso nella visione di film noir come “Il grande sonno” (The Big Sleep), “Il mistero del falco” (The Maltese Falcon), “Il terzo uomo” ( The Third Man), “Viale del tramonto” (Sunset Boulevard) ecc.

We chose to try our hand at the noir genre because we wanted to experiment with something other than comedy, which in previous shorts was our only genre. So we embarked on the path of Noir, one of my favorite genres, a dramatic cinema, not aimed at laughter. The idea for this short film was born. I spoke with Valerio Mancini about my desire and need to express myself through noir. At the time I was totally immersed in the vision of film noir studying such films as “The Big Sleep,” “The Maltese Falcon,” “The Third Man,”and “Sunset Boulevard.”

Inspirations for scenes in Towerburg.

Towerburg was born as a short film. Since the production had cliffhangers, the company decided to divide it and make it a web series.

Bravi! My applause to the production team and the performers. (Pssst, I’m related to Valerio and Alessio – don’t tell anyone.)

Igor Rinaldi as Pat Connaughton

Paola Corbo as Miss Daisy

Valerio Mancini as Jack King

Federico Mancini as Big Brisco

Francesco Mancini as Joe Mitraglietta

Francesco Natale as Wilbour

Davide Mancini as Manny

Gennaro Barile as Jones Portis

Simona Macolino as Miss Emily

Alessio Iacovella as Mac

I absolutely love living in Pontelandolfo where one can meet interesting young people with a passion for the arts. Enjoy the arts, wherever you are.

Ci Vediamo

Midge (www.midgeguerrera.com)

PS. Tell a pal to read my humorous travel memoir Cars, Castles, Cows and Chaos. Ask me about my one woman show – La Dolce Vita or Is It???

Buon Natale!

by midgeguerrera, posted in Any Day in Pontelandolfo
“Haul out the holly…”. “Jingle bells, jingle bells…”

Buon Natale and Happy New Year. No need to go “dashing through the snow in a one horse open sleigh” to have a happy holiday. Enjoy your family, friends and most importantly yourself this season. May all your dreams and wishes soar.

Pontelandolfo and the Sannio hills are magical at Christmas time. Lights twinkle in piazzas and line Benevento’s grand Corso Garibaldi. On January 3rd and 4th Morcone, our neighboring village, produces an amazing community wide Presepe Viventi – living nativity.

Small eyes peer upward searching for Babbo Natale. Santa’s train scoots around Piazza Roma. The crisp mountain air invigorates everyone who walks around the piazza gossiping with friends, looking at the lights and sipping adult beverages at one of our fabulous bars. Baccalà is soaking in kitchens. Nonna’s are kneading dough. Panettone waits on kitchen counters. Laughter and hugs will soon fill homes. Tis the season of family and friends who are like family.

The feeling of the holiday season is so strong that I really believe I can feel it sweeping across the sea.

Benvenuti a Pontelandolfo
Joy for everyone!

Did I mention that the Pontelandolfo spirit of Christmas could be felt across the sea? Not only across the sea, but across the continent. Jack and I are spending our happy holiday season with young Pontelandolfese in Los Angeles. Annalaura Iacovella and Allesandra Rosaria Niedt are hanging out with the elders this Christmas. We send our thoughts of love and good cheer to Pontelandolfese everywhere.

Ci Vediamo

Midge Guerrera

Panettone Enough for All

by midgeguerrera, posted in Food - Eating In and Out!, Local Businesses

Deck the halls with boughs of holly. Tis the season to be jolly fa la la la, la la la la. Gorge we now on panettone – – -! What else is a girl to do but gorge! This holiday confection seems to chase her around the store? Well, I could wait and not buy one. Impossible. I could buy a few and not eat every slice. The springy tall cake, liberally speckled with raisons, dried citrus and what ever else someone had in the pantry is impossible to ignore. If you don’t eat it all it starts to get stale. Hmm, not so bad stale either. I imagine, a slightly hard piece of deliciousness, soaked in eggs that have been whisked with vanilla and cinnamon, grilled on my Nonna’s cast iron stove top grill and then bathed in real, honest to God maple syrup. Couple that with crispy bacon and it is orgasmic. OMG. Weight Watcher points be damned that is one fine seasonal breakfast, lunch, dinner or snack.

Antonio Diglio makes the best Panettone!
Cross section of the best panettone in the world – from Diglio Forno!

Made by Antonio Diglio in Pontelandolfo, panettone is light, flavorful and simply fabulous. There is usually none left over unless it gets hidden so I don’t eat it all in one day. Making French Toast, all of those lovely spongy holes fill with egg and a slice cooks up heavenly. Sigh….

Perhaps, I should start at the beginning. Did I enjoy panettone as a child? Not that I can remember. When did I first taste the stale crappy ones sold in supermarkets? That would have been in college. Surrounded by all those Italian American women in my dorm from Italian enclaves like Jersey City, Newark and Hoboken I was introduced to the Italian traditions that New Jersey farm girl Midge never experienced. That is also when I discovered, having imbibed in a bit of Maryjane, how stupendous panettone was doctored with jam, jelly, maple syrup, etc. Luckily, later in life when I had a couple of lira in my pocket, I unearthed panettone that was light, airy, sweet but not gooey and wonderful to eat all by itself. Now, spending holiday time in Pontelandolfo I am binging on the fresh panettone from Diglio Forno and other cakes brought to town from the capital of panettone – Milano.

Diglio Forno makes holiday treats that require self control – no one can eat just one.

Who started this tradition of culinary goodness? What follows is an obvious embellishment of the ancient legend. It was a dark and stormy night, the ides of – wait, wait, wrong legends.

The Legend of Panettone: Tis the season to rock around the great hall. A blowout of a Christmas party was happening at the 15th century Milanese court of Ludovico Il Moro. Servers carried out tray after tray of beautifully prepared food. The dessert, which was to be a surprise and an incredible joy, was slowly cooking in the oven. One young kitchen helper was left to guard the oven and make sure the dessert came out pefectly. For whatever reason, maybe he ran out side to see the snow, maybe Gabriella the serving girl stopped and flirted with him, the reason doesn’t matter – he let the dessert burn to a blackened crisp. Caspita! Desperate, the lad looked around the kitchen and remembered he had made a bread with left over dough. He had tossed in dried fruits, lemon peels and whatever edibles were around. He gulped, put it on a fancy tray, powdered it with sugar, and suggested that the cook serve it. The cook walked incredibly slowly into the great hall. Toni was cowering in the doorway. Slices were served. Compliments were tossed and the party was a success. In summary: Toni, a lowly kitchen helper, made a terrible mistake and fearing he’d be served up roasted, was saved by his quick wit and culinary creation made of leftover stuff. He saved the party and introduced the world to “L’è ‘l pan del Toni,” meaning “It’s Toni’s bread, hence the name panettone. The end.

May your holiday season be bright and filled with scrumptious panettone. If you buy one in an Italian market DO NOT SAVE IT. Why let it get stale – EAT IT TODAY. I googled what one can do with panettone and here are some ideas. Panettone bread pudding – obvious but yummy. Panettone tiramisu – hmm not so obvious. What follows is an easy way to use the bread up. On a griddle heat up slices of panettone. Toast it well on both sides. DO NOT PUT IT IN A TOASTER. I have and it warranted a call to the fire house. Put the slices on a plate and pour some Grand Marnier over it. Imagine all the liquors you could experiment with. Heating up a slice opens the door to the refrigerator and pantry because you can spread it with whatever sweet stuff you like. Or, eat it my way – make French toast and douse it in real maple syrup. Do not leave out the crispy bacon.

Enjoy the season!

Ci Vediamo

Midge Guerrera

BOOKS AND PLAYS MAKE GREAT GIFTS! 

CONSIDER GIFTING A WORK OF MINE. THANKS!

Cooking in the Kitchens of Pontelandolfo!

A few slots are left for the week of June 29th. Message me for information. A week in Pontelandolfo is a great gift for a culinary adventurer.

Playwrights Write in Pontelandolfo!

by midgeguerrera, posted in Nonna's Trips & Events

Write Where You Are –

Pontelandolfo 2024 🇮🇹

SponsoreD by

Other Rooms founding artistic director, Jonathan Samarro, understands playwrights. Not only is he a produced and published playwright himself, but the organization he leads has been providing playwright support through a variety of initiatives. How do I know? Hey gang, you know I’m a playwright. (Check out my work on Next Stage Press and YouthPLAYS.) I’ve participated in and gained a lot from the resources Jonathan has created.

Accountable Sundays encourages writers – like sometimes lazy me – to commit to writing every Sunday. Write Where Your Are, a workshop that provides feedback during the creation of a new work, has been incredibly helpful. Other Voices is a reading series that features new completed plays. Retro Reads gives playwrights insights into the work of master playwrights through readings and discussions of classic plays. Seriously, we can all learn from the masters.

Jonathan’s latest initiative, Write Where You Are – Pontelandolfo 2024, offers playwrights the space, time, and community needed to move forward in their work. Those of you who follow this blog have already guessed why Pontelandolfo was chosen. It is my home town and where I do most of my writing. For those of you that are new – Pontelandolfo, nestled in the southern Italy Sannio hills, is a small village off the beaten tourist track. The Italian landscape and village life are a great catalyst for creativity.

Pontelandolfo – our favorite place.

Only eight playwrights were selected to participate in Other Rooms’ first retreat. Between October 14 – 23, 2024, the participants will be staying in La Locanda della Presuntuosa, an interesting villa built into a mountain and on acres of land. The villa provides an escape from the trodden tourist track of Italy’s big cities yet is minutes from Piazza Roma, the main piazza, and the center of Pontelandolfo life and lore. Cobblestone streets lead one to a medieval castle tower and cafés, ancient Roman churches and miniature works of art are hidden within an area steeped in history and culture.

Video is a wee bit too long but…

The week begins with a bar crawl to introduce everyone to village life. Hey, they are playwrights did you expect high tea? In addition to time for one’s own daily writing, the retreat offers master classes in playwriting, a stimulating array of traditional cultural activities, introduction to the province’s theatre community, opportunities to socialize with fellow writers and local people. They can even choose to eat lunch with a local family! YUMMMM!

Jonathan and his local team – gulp – which includes both Annarita Mancini and I, wanted to create a writer’s retreat that was different than the usual – meet around a table for a workshop. Chatting with Playwright and Professor Rosemary McLaughlin we decided to hold a master class, Writing Site Specific Work, at a site. The workshop will be held at Altilia, an excavation of a Roman Village in the town of Sepino – Area Archeologica di Saepinum.  How cool is that!

Rosemary is the head of the Playwriting Program at Drew University. She received her MFA in Theater Arts from Rutgers’ Mason Gross School and several writing fellowships from the New Jersey State Council on the Arts. Recent plays include Paterson Falls, commissioned by Writers Theatre of New Jersey, about the 1913 silk strike; A More Opportune Time, a contemporary adaptation of Marlowe’s Doctor Faustus; Pushing the River, a comedy about aging, memory and eminent domain; Seven Fishermen, about the deadly consequences of a Westerner’s determination to “save” uncontacted people; and D.O.H. (Dykes of Hoboken), set in the 1980’s, a comedy in spite of being about gentrification and AIDS. Rosemary is also a director, a member of the Dramatists Guild and a board member of the International Centre for Women Playwrights.

Sidney Rushing will be introducing the group to the VOTE method to viable and practical story telling. (Victory, Obstacles Tactics and Emotions) It is method to attack a sagging second act, an inactive protagonist  and mine for a more meaningful story. (I really can’t wait to participate in this workshop.)This user friendly process is something you can apply to any story telling medium without angst or trepidation. You will learn how this technique applies to other stories and do the work for your own narrative. We haven’t decided yet where Sidney will be conducting this workshop but know it won’t be in a classroom like setting.

Syd has penned various stage productions in both Chicago, Texas and Los Angeles. He also wrote and performed his one man show Brother’s Tellin’  in Los Angeles earning a NAACP Best Play nomination. It opened up for Lily Tomlin’s show, The Search for Signs for Intelligent Life in the Universe. Syd was then selected for the Mark Taper Playwright’s Program. He went on to a string of produced plays including Aberdeen and Netarine, Akashic Permutations, Zu’s Earth, Unsung Heroes and more. Rushing was honored to be a recipient of the Lorraine Hansberry Distinguished Achievement Award, The 21st Century Voices winner, The Inaugural August Wilson Fellow and a top ten finalist in the Screen Craft Pilot Screenplay Competition 2023. He has taught every grade level from K-12, Prep for College and at Texas State University — named teacher of the year three times in succession within public schools. 

Write Where You Are – Pontelandolfo 2024 will be an exciting program for both the participants and the citizens of Pontelandolfo. This year’s participants have been selected but Other Rooms has set up a waiting list. If you would like to be considered for the waiting list or are interested in any of the programs sponsored by Other Rooms, contact Jonathan Samarro –   jonathanjsamarro@gmail.com.
 

Ci vediamo prossima volta!

Midge Guerrera

Books and plays make great gifts!

consider gifting a work of mine. Thanks!

Cook, Eat, Laugh in Pontelandolfo!

by midgeguerrera, posted in Any Day in Pontelandolfo

Cooking in the Kitchens of Pontelandolfo

Borgo Cerquelle

June 8 to June 15, 2024

Limited to 8 people!

Cook, Eat, Laugh!

Cook, Eat, Laugh in a small southern Italian village and gain a cultural understanding of what lies behind the great dishes.  Stay in an agriturismo that prides itself on farm to table cooking. This culinary experience is for those of you who want to see a part of Italy that is off the crowded tourist trail and taste dishes that go back generations.

This is not your traditional vacation! Spend mornings not in a restaurant or cooking school kitchen, but in a real family’s kitchen, learning the recipes and menus that have been handed down for generations. During this one-week exploration of the food and culture of Southern Italy, almost everything is included.

Includes –

  • Transportation from the Benevento Train Station
  • 7 nights at Borgo Cerquelle an agriturismo in a centuries old contrada. The double rooms are large with ensuite bathrooms.  All participants will be sharing rooms, so ask a friend to come on the adventure.
  • Welcoming Night Bar Crawl – meet the locals at their favorite hang-outs. 
  • 4 half-day cooking classes with local cooks. After preparing the dishes for pranzo or cena you will sit down and eat multi-courses with the family.  
  • English Speaking Translator for all classes and events.
  • Wine and artesian food tasting at a local vintner
  • Pontelandolfo Day – open air market, tasting of locally produced products, other local activities and light cena.
  • Excursion to Sepino Altilia Roman Ruins    
  • Walking Tour of Historical Pontelandolfo
  • Enjoy traditional folk dancing, cheese tossing and bocci.
  • Last night serata di arriverderci with all the local cooks.
  • Apron
  • Written recipes in English.

Regretfully, there are no special dietary considerations.  Since you will be cooking and eating in people’s homes, not restaurants, accommodations cannot be made for allergies or preferences. This medieval village has charming cobblestone streets but it is not handicapped accessible.  The adventure and experience in the home of local families requires the ability to climb stairs, walk on uneven streets and feel comfortable in a hilly environment.

Visit www.cookinginthekitchensofpontelandolfo.com

Visit our Facebook Page.   Read about Pontelandolfo at www.nonnasmulberrytree.com

Registration materials and financial information will be sent via e-mail to those that want to join the adventure.   info@nonnasmulberrytree.com

Pontelandolfo Hosts International Competition!

by midgeguerrera, posted in Any Day in Pontelandolfo
Cheese Rolling is an International Sport!

This unusual competition takes strength, precision and a passion for the past. La Ruzzola is an ancient game played in the streets of Italy. Members of a squadra, team, toss wheels of cheese down a course. Originally it was a well aged pecorino cheese. The early players were probably farmers and shepherds – pecorino cheese is made from sheep’s milk. The winner sent the cheese soaring down a path the farthest. Today, the goal is to reach a specific point with the least number of tosses. I heard someone in the crowd watching the day I was there say it reminded them a bit of golf.

This is a serious sport. Team shirts, buses, fans and all the trappings of a sport were seen in Pontelandolfo this past weekend. Fifty teams from throughout Italy filled the village on Saturday. Some didn’t qualify for Sunday and took their cheese home.

The sport is regulated by the Federazione Italiana Giochi e Sport Tradizionali e dall’European Traditional Sports and Game Association. What is not regulated are the dogs who dashed into the street chasing the rolling cheese. Or the spectator who took a flop when a huge wheel of cheese hit him in the legs. Don’t stand so close!

I could talk about how glorious it was on an October weekend to what happened a sport that is so unique. I could ramble on and on about the feeling of comradeship. Or talk about the fun I had watching out of town guests amble up the street following the action. I could but isn’t it better to watch this –

Enjoy!

See you in Pontelandolfo (BN), the best village in the world of cheese throwing.

Ci vediamo.

Midge

Click here to discover the world of the plays I’ve written! All looking for a production.
Blatant self promotion – check out the books that take place in Pontelandolfo!

Urban Trekking in Pontelandolfo!

by midgeguerrera, posted in Any Day in Pontelandolfo, Stops Along the Journey - Sites Off the Tourist Track

Whaaaaat? You want me to climb up those two thousand year old steps to look at some little thingy that means some rich dude lived here?

Not a rich dude’s crest but the Wind God!

That is exactly what I want you to do! Visit Pontelandolfo and explore the historic center by searching for gli stemmi – crests. The adventure in urban trekking will be fascinating.

Urban Trekking is happening in cities across the world. Annarita Mancini and I worked together to create a tourism guide for our medieval village that brings urban trekking to a different level. I’m the author and Annarita was the translator. Together we have published An Italian Treasure Hunt; the Quest for the Crests of Pontelandolfo. This guidebook provides readers with clues to unearth tiny pieces of art hidden throughout the village. It can be a team sport with trekkers challenging each other to find the most crests or a slow meditative look and walk.

This is not your typical tour guide. Like I would do something typical – yawn I’m bored thinking about it. You all know I spend a lot of time in Pontelandolfo blogging about life in a small Italian town. Some days I need a reason to get off my butt, leave the office and wend my way through the ancient alleys. My search for the crests was a great incentive to walk through the old part of town and get a sense of what life was like for my ancestors.

Annarita Mancini, who is an exceptional teacher of Italian, noted that having the clues written in both English and Italian not only make the book useful to more people but is an excellent way to explore a new language.

It really took a village to create this book. One day writing in the Pontelandolfo Library, I discovered a stack of faded little blue pamphlets called Stemmi gentilizi a Pontelandolfo written by researchers/authors Litterio Villari and Pia Piacquadio. With a donation to the library, I grabbed a pamphlet and accompanied by Maria Vittoria Albini raced out of the building in search of a crest.

Battista Family

Local historians Carmine Fusco and Antimo Albini assisted in the project by reading the draft and adding bits of local lore. Pontelandolfo residents (and Nonna’s Mulberry Tree subscribers – hint hint) Mariann Prigioni and Jeff Millard had the trekking task of following the clues to see if one could really find all the crests.

Now, local visitors to Pontelandolfo can get a copy of An Italian Treasure Hunt; the Quest for the Crests of Pontelandolfo and also do some urban trekking. It is only an E-book now. Hard cover to follow when I get to formatting it. Yikes, who knew self publishing would be work?

E-readers will follow the clues and photographs of family crests on their phones. Actually, I think this is the best way to use the book. On your phone you can enlarge the photos and refer to the map. This quest for the crests offers a unique and captivating experience that is challenging, fun, creative and exciting! Perfect for adults, children and families. So, grab your camera, walk around beautiful Pontelandolfo, discover the riches of history and unearth hidden ancient traditions.

Book 1 in our Urban Trekking Series – Any town want to hire me to do theirs?

E-book versions of An Italian Treasure Hunt; the Quest for the Crests of Pontelandolfo are currently available on Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Kobo and other retailers.

Ci vediamo in Piazza Roma a Pontelandolfo!

Midge Guerrera

The Passion of the Play and the Players

by midgeguerrera, posted in Any Day in Pontelandolfo

If you are in Italy and anywhere near Pontelandolfo (BN), put July 31st and August 1st on your calendar – immediately. Even if you are not nearby – put it in your calendar and come to Pontelandolfo. At 9:30 PM in Piazza Roma you will be astounded by an incredible theatrical spectacle. It will be worth the ride. I am a theatre kid and it takes a lot to make me gasp. This community wide production of Dramma Sacro Santa Giocandina has done that. This week, I went to a rehearsal and was impressed by the focus and passion this group of players have for the script, rehearsal process and the traditions of their village.

In Pontelandolfo for over one year, a band of community actors, designers, musicians and technicians have been focused on bringing an historic story to life. Their focus and commitment is as powerful as the faith of the play’s heroine, Giocondina. Dramma Sacro Santa Giocandina, the Sacred Drama of Santa Giocondina, has been performed in the Sannio Hills since 1872. Originally, it was produced every seven years, then every four years. It has been seven years since Covid made the four year repetition impossible. Interesting that seven years brings the play full circle to its roots.

The story, of the ultimate sacrifice, is a familiar one. Giocondina, the young daughter of a Roman Senator converts to Christianity. Even though her father and family implore Giocondina, she refuses to abandon her faith. Roman Emperor Diocletian condemns her to be beheaded. Giocondina chooses to save her soul and live on in the kingdom of heaven. Continuing a sacred and socio-community tradition, the role of Giocondina is entrusted to a young woman from Pontelandolfo.

Pontelandolfo Actress Dalila Griffini in rehearsal as Giocondina.

The original script, crafted in 1872 by Ulisse Rinaldi, drew on an ancient tale of unmitigated Christian faith. In 1964, a Priest, Don Nicola D’Addona, revised the original seven act play into four acts. The play that continues to this day is a revision done by Professor Michele Rossi.

Direttore di Palcoscenico, essential the person in charge of all technical aspects, Fiorella De Michele, explained that the presentation of the sacred drama is very important for the Pontelandolfo community. Demonstrating the tradition of the production, the troupe of actors represents the play’s past and present. Many revise roles they have played in the past. Others, new to the show, become part of the future of continuing productions of Dramma Sacro Santa Giocondina.

Actor, Valerio Mancini, my handsome cousin, who has been in a number of independent films told me: “Quella di partecipare è stata una scelta non ponderata, non voluta ma dettata dall’istinto. Da buon Pontelandolfese sento come una responsabilità nei confronti del dramma. Farò di tutto per onorare il mio ruolo. In un mondo in cui regna l’incertezza, ogni piccolo gesto, ogni emozione suscitata, ogni sorriso strappato avrà conseguenze positive nel lungo periodo, in un altro luogo o su altre persone.”

Don’t worry – Valerio translated it for me: “To participate was an unconsidered choice, not wanted but dictated by instinct. As a good Pontelandolfese, I feel a responsibility towards the drama. I will do everything to honor my role. In a world where uncertainty reigns, every small gesture, every emotion aroused, every smile torn will have positive consequences in the long run, in another place or on other people.”

It does take a village to create this work of art, at the helm is Gabriele Palladino. He has been the artistic director of the spectacular a few times. I asked him to tell me about this year.

“The careful study of scenic solutions, delicate theatrical taste, the all-round interaction between the characters and the location, make this year’s drama original and innovative.”

He feels that he is creating an avant-garde theatrical experience, which paints itself with spectacular plays of light and shapes. I will tell you, that based on the rehearsal I saw, the musical mix created by Gennaro Del Nero also became a principal member of the cast. I watched Gabriele bring his arms up and down to cue the sound operator. The music is absolutely cued to the lines of the script.

Gabriele feels that the audience for this production has a more participatory and engaging role. He is an interesting director. I watched him join his actors in the rehearsal space, guiding them with words and movement. He traverses the space and becomes one with his performers. Gabrielle is a director, I wished I could have worked under.

Director Palladino said, “Two magical evenings, where the archaic lemmas of great literature, weight of the script and the glittering guise of the advancing new, will combine the past and the modern. The tradition of past centuries melded with a three thousand-year cultural proposal will manifest in a “fusion” of the drama. An intriguing, desired, sought-after, unforced “fusion”, which is the result of a long and passionate work.”

Artistic Director Gabriele Palladino at Work.

The team of Pontelandofese who may not be on stage but absolutely contribute to the event, include the sound, lights, and off-stage crew who make the magic happen. I applaude everyone involved in this production. You can applaud them too, on July 31 and August 1.

Technical women rock!

Ci vediamo July 31 and August 1. Midge

PS. Check out my books and plays at www.midgeguerrera.com