Pictured here in s musical number reminiscent of the Andrews Sisters are (l-r) Carole Claps, Gail Yudain and Donna Fox
When a story has the staying power of more than 70 years, there must be something to it. And Curtain Call has certainly capitalized on that with its long-running series of productions based on Italian immigrants living on Mulberry Street, Little Italy, in New York City. In fact, these Mulberry Street characters have played more often at The Sterling Farms Theatre Complex since 1972 than any other. And they're back in A Merry Mulberry Street Musical, playing in the Dressing Room Theatre December 2 through 19.
Last year, Curtain Call's executive director and Stamford native, Lou Ursone, penned an all new musical comedy featuring these same characters set against the backdrop of WW II. It was so well received that Stamford's longest-running theatre company decided to bring it back for a limited return engagement this season. "I was very pleased that our audiences responded so favorably to the new show last year...as an author, as an actor, as a producer and as the head of the organization. It was about the most rewarding theatrical experience I have ever had," Ursone said.
Mulberry Street is about family above all else...and who better to play warring sisters-in-law, than real life cousins, (L-R) Gail Yudain and Carole Claps, pictured here.
Ursone had taken Stamford’s most-produced romantic comedy, Mulberry Street, mixed in some new characters, added original songs written by Jeffrey Lodin and Stamford’s William Squier, stirred in a new script, and added a pinch of 1940s holiday cheer to create A Merry Mulberry Street Musical! Ursone, who has ties to the original play going back to the first Stamford production in 1939 certainly knows these characters well. Lodin and Squier were 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!”
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 brand new musical comedy is graced with a great 1940s-style score and, as in the original Mulberry Street, more than a few tugs at the heart.
Italians. Holidays. Food. They go together like baseball, hot dogs and apple pie, and this new musical has its share of food on stage as (L-R) Gail Yudain, Dana DiCerto and Lou Ursone try to feed Joe Efferen (foreground).
Besides serving as author and producer of this new work, Ursone also reprises his role as patriarch, Piccino Morello…a role his great uncle played in Stamford’s 1939 presentation of Mulberry Street. Joining him on stage are, from Stamford: Randy Bucknoff, Gail Yudain; from Norwalk: Betty Pia, Dana DiCerto and Dominick Cundari; from Darien: Carole Claps; from Madison: Dana Della Monica; from NYC: Samantha Moorin; from Carmel, NY: Joe Efferen; from Pelham, NY: Mike Hanson, and from Mamaroneck, NY: Donna Fox. Joining the team this year as music director is David Christensen of NYC, NY. Production design is by Peter Barbieri, Jr. of Norwalk with costumes by Megan Latte Ormond of Stamford. The stage management team (all from Stamford) includes: Will Hart, Pat McCoy and Julia Zimmerman.
Another individual with genetic roots to this material is director Brian Bianco. This Stamford native has directed several past Curtain Call productions (including the current sold-out smash Annie which is playing in The Kweskin Theatre) 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.
Jeffrey Lodin and William Squier are prolific musical theater writers whose scores range from those with a traditional Broadway sound to songs that are eclectic and contemporary. Their musicals have been seen in production throughout the Northeast, the Midwest and at Florida’s Walt Disney World, where they co-authored Disney’s Doug Live, the first completely original book musical in the theme park's history. Songs from the score were featured at the 1998 International Children's Festival and in the sound track for the Disney animated feature release, Doug’s First Movie. The team has also written songs for the Disney Channel's P.B. & J. Otter.
“I first started thinking about writing a holiday adaptation of Mulberry Street back in 2002, but it wasn’t till late 2007, when I began to figure out how I wanted the story to unravel,” Ursone said. After meeting with his good friend and mentor, the late Al Pia (author of Mulberry Street) he wrote the first act. Having worked with Lodin and Squier on several of their works, Ursone turned to them to write the score. “As a first-time author, I was acutely aware of my limitations, especially in the song-writing area, so I was thrilled when Bill and Jeff agreed to write the score for this production. They have taken my story and enhanced, and advanced it in ways I never thought possible,” Ursone noted.
Curtain Call’s new season has seen many more performances sold out then ever. Their last two productions, To Kill A Mockingbird and Annie were completely sold out by their opening nights. A Merry Mulberry Street Musical was on the same track which is why Curtain Call added five more performances to their originally scheduled run. Ursone notes that they have seen steady audience growth over the last 10 years, “But even with the great numbers we’re seeing, I just wish that ticket income could cover all of our operating costs because balancing a non-profit budget is a very difficult task especially in a down economy."
Bearing not frankincense or myrrh, but a rather unlikely holiday gift, is Betty Pia, wife of the late Albert Pia, author of Mulberry Street.
A Merry Mulberry Street Musical, produced in cooperation with The City of Stamford, with additional support from the Connecticut Commission on Culture and Tourism, will play in The Dressing Room Theatre from December 2 through 19, Thursday through Saturday evenings at 8:00pm and Sunday afternoons at 2:00pm. There is also one Wednesday evening performance at 8:00pm on December 15. Call the Box Office for tickets at 203-461-6358 x13, or go online to www.curtaincallinc.com. Prices for all performances are $28 for adults, $20 for senior citizens and $14 for students and children. Performances in The Dressing Room Theatre are presented cabaret-style with a BYOEverything format. Doors open one hour before show time to enjoy a picnic style meal of your choice. (The Players Club restaurant next door will deliver meals to the theatre by advance order - 203-322-1438.) 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 through 2010 in the Annual Readers’ Poll of The Fairfield County Weekly and BEST PERFORMING ARTS GROUP by Stamford Plus magazine for 2008 through 2010.
