Linden House Theatre stages an Italian American folk tale
Janet Uren
Linden House Theatre opened last week with yet another delightful play by playwright, John Patrick Shanley. Shanley’s Italian American Reconciliation runs until November 12.
This play features all the wonderful language, intelligence, humour and whimsy we have come to expect from this writer’s work. It also dovetails perfectly with the Linden House Theatre slogan, “Theatre for the joy of it!”
Shanley wrote the screenplay for the 1987 classic rom-com movie, Moonstruck. That was also set in New York City and featured an Italian family. He truly deserves his place in the lineup of playwrights featured by Linden House over the past 17 years. He should be considered alongside the likes of George Bernard Shaw, Noel Coward, Somerset Maugham and others.
Italian-American Reconciliation is an interesting comedy in which Shanley charts the course of two young men in New York City as they hesitantly navigate the world of women, with a wise old aunt providing the map.
Reconciliation
Though the play is set in the Italian community of New York City, Shanley has built the story on a folk tale foundation: a princess in a figurative tower awaiting rescue and a young man who seeks, Samson-like, to reunite with his former wife and to recover the confidence he lost in divorce.
The title of the play, Italian-American Reconciliation, suggests the scene–an Italian community in New York. But the real message is in the word “reconciliation.” Reconciliation is the act of coming together in shared understanding and renewed friendship.
It’s a funny and endearing play, full of hope and optimism for all of us, struggling through the minefield of human relationships.
The four young people in this story are all seeking love, and the character Aunt May provides a roadmap for the bewildered travellers. “Marriage is trouble,” she explains: “…but trouble ain’t the worst thing…. For the best in this life you’ve gotta pay Big Dollars…. Anybody you really want…is gonna be expensive in some way. There ain’t no bargains in people. You get what you pay for and the currency is Trouble. You ain’t no bargain. Any woman ends up with you’s gotta a man who’s gonna compare her to his mother. And that’s always a bitch.”
Cast and run dates
Apart from myself (Aunt May) and Carolina Barrios (The Woman in the Audience) , all the actors in this production – Stavros Sakiadis, Josh Sparks, Linda Webster and Sarah McKay – are new to Linden House, but are well-known members of the community theatre world in Ottawa. They brim with talent and bring this charming story to life.
Italian American Reconciliation will complete its run at Elmwood School (261 Buena Vista) from November 10-11 at 7.30 p.m. and on November 12 at 2 p.m. Tickets ($30) are available at Eventbrite, online at lindenhousetheatre.ca or at Books on Beechwood. Information: 613-842-4913.
This article was written by Janet Uren, founder of Linden House, who appears in Italian American Reconciliation as Aunt May.
