Seen here in a June 2009 production of Mulberry Street, are Lou Ursone and Betty Pia (Contributed photo)
Take Stamford’s most-produced romantic comedy - Mulberry Street, mix in some new characters, add original songs written by Jeffrey Lodin and Stamford’s William Squier, stir in a new script by Lou Ursone (also of Stamford), a dash of the 1940s and a pinch of holiday cheer and you have Curtain Call's first musical of the new season - A Merry Mulberry Street Musical!
For 70 years, Fairfield County audiences have thrilled to the laughter and tears of Mulberry Street. Now, Ursone, who has deep ties to that play, has written a brand new, romantic musical comedy that will play in Curtain Call’s Dressing Room Theatre for five weeks beginning November 20.?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!”
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. This is a brand new story loaded with a great 1940s-style score and lots of laughs. A concert presentation of this new musical last April was terrifically received so a full-scale production was slated.
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: Gail Yudain; from Norwalk: Betty Pia, Dana DiCerto and Dominick Cundari; from Darien: Carole Claps and Randy Bucknoff; from Madison: Dana Della Monica; from NYC: Samantha Moorin and Matt Schmeidel; 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.
Another individual with genetic roots to this material is director Brian Bianco. This Stamford native 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.
Pictured here on a break from rehearsals are Stamford residents (L-R) William Squier, Brian Bianco and Lou Ursone.
(Contributed photo)
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 performances sold out with subscriptions having increased more than 20% over last year, according to Ursone. That may be due in part to area residents staying closer to home for their entertainment options, but Ursone notes that they have seen steady audience growth over the last nine years. “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,” Ursone said.
A Merry Mulberry Street Musical, sponsored by The Advocate/Greenwich Time, with additional support from the Connecticut Commission on Culture and Tourism, 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.
