Pictured here on a break from rehearsals are Stamford residents (L-R) William Squier, Brian Bianco and Lou Ursone.
(contributed photo)
“Think Ralph Kramden and Ed Norton (of The Honeymooners)…that’s how I view the relationship between Piccino Morello and Angelo Baccolini in our Mulberry Street presentations,” said Lou Ursone, author of A Merry Mulberry Street Musical, a brand new romantic, musical comedy playing in Stamford at Curtain Call’s Dressing Room Theatre, November 20 through December 20. “These two patriarchs are full of bluster and fun as they try to make their way in New York’s Little Italy in the 1940s,” he added.
For Stamford area residents, Mulberry Street has been a presence in the community for 70 years going back to a 1939 production which featured, among others, Michael Pavia, father of the newly-elected Stamford Mayor. Also in the production were Ursone’s father and great uncle, as well as former Stamford Mayor, Louis Clapes – cousin to Carole Claps who will appear in this warm and charming continuance of the Mulberry Street saga. “It’s like the Rocky Horror of Stamford,” said Claps telling of the somewhat cult-like following the show has. “Every time we do it, (Mulberry Street) those who’ve seen it many times before, still come back, bringing new friends with them to share the joy,” she said.
A Merry Mulberry Street Musical came to life after many years of procrastinating on Ursone’s part. He started thinking about writing a holiday version after the successful run of Mulberry Street back in June, 2002. He back-burnered his plans, but then decided to start actually developing the story line in late winter 2007. With the encouragement and support of his friend and mentor, Albert Pia, who wrote Mulberry Street, Ursone wrote the first act. After Pia’s passing in September 2008, Ursone took to finishing the piece.
However, just because he thought he could write a script, Ursone had no idea of how to write music and lyrics. Enter the team of Lodin and Squier. Each is a very accomplished, award-winning, musical theatre writer in his own right, but they have collaborated on several projects as well…notable to Stamford audiences, Top of the Heap, which was presented at Curtain Call in 2004. Lodin and Squier are delighted to become part of the Mulberry Street tradition by contributing music that will allow its beloved characters to sing. “Having seen how audiences have embraced the original play,” says lyricist Squier, “We’re just tickled to be a part of it!” According to Ursone, Lodin and Squier’s contributions have advanced and enhanced the story in ways he never expected. “I can’t imagine this play without their input,” Ursone said.
Joining Ursone and Claps on stage are, from Stamford: Gail Yudain; from Norwalk: Betty Pia, Dana DiCerto and Dominick Cundari; from Darien: Randy Bucknoff; from Madison: Dana Della Monica; from NYC: Samantha Moorin and Matt Schmiedel; from Carmel, NY: Joe Efferen and from Mamaroneck, NY: Donna Fox. Bucknoff, Claps, Cundari, DiCerto, Efferen, Pia and Yudain have all appeared in a previous version of Mulberry Street and were all thrilled to be asked to participate in this new work. There will also be cameo appearances by area notables throughout the run of this production.
The production team is headed by director Brian Bianco, a Stamford native who has directed several past Curtain Call productions and has also appeared in a past Mulberry Street presentation. “The characters from Mulberry Street speak to me so strongly as an artist, a storyteller and as an Italian-American,” said Bianco. “Each one provides a heart-felt link to friends and relatives who surrounded me in my early childhood and whose spirits continue to inspire me in my adulthood. A Merry Mulberry Street Musical provides a perfect balance of farce and emotional pathos that can be appreciated by all ethnicities, ages and backgrounds,” he added. The rest of the team includes Lodin as music director, Peter Barbieri, Jr for production design and Elisa Pasqua as costumer. (Pasqua herself appeared last summer as Giovanna Baccolini in Mulberry Street.) Stage management includes Pat McCoy, assisted by Will Hart and Julia Zimmerman.
A Merry Mulberry Street Musical takes one back to 1944, where the Morello and Baccolini?families are attempting to celebrate the holiday season in the midst of WWII. The laughs abound despite the challenges that these warm and charming characters face with sons at war overseas, warring sisters-in-law at home, and a never-ending battle over whose home-made wine is best. This show is graced with a great 1940s-style score and, as in the original Mulberry Street, more than a few tugs at the heart and lots of laughs. A concert presentation of this new musical last April was terrifically received so a full-scale production was slated.
“Setting the play during WWII was very important for me,” Ursone said. “My dad and uncles all served overseas and were quite humble about their service to our country. As someone who has enjoyed the “American dream” made possible by the dedicated servicemen and women of that era, I think it’s very important that we never forget those veterans. (NOTE: Ursone’s older brother, Richard, continued the family tradition of military service, having served over 30 years in the US Army, retiring as a Brigadier General.)
A Merry Mulberry Street Musical, sponsored by The Advocate/Greenwich Time, with additional support from the Connecticut Commission on Culture and Tourism, and The Hilton Hotel, Stamford, will play in The Dressing Room Theatre from November 20 to December 20, Thursday through Saturday evenings at 8:00pm and Sunday afternoons at 2:00pm. Call the Box Office for tickets at 203-461-6358 x36, or go online to www.curtaincallinc.com. Prices for all performances are $26 for adults, $18 for senior citizens and $13 for students and children. Group rates are also available upon request. Discounted passes offer great flexibility and savings up to 35% off regular prices and are on sale all year.
Curtain Call is the non-profit community-based theatre company in residence at The Sterling Farms Theatre Complex, 1349 Newfield Avenue in Stamford. Year-round productions and workshops are presented by and for area residents in The Kweskin Theatre and The Dressing Room Theatre. It has been voted Fairfield County’s BEST LOCAL THEATRE GROUP 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008 and 2009 in the Annual Readers’ Poll of The Fairfield County Weekly and BEST PERFORMING ARTS GROUP by Stamford Plus magazine for 2008 and 2009.
