"The Legend of La Befana", the Italian Christmas Witch children’s musical play,
will be performed at several locations in the NYC Metro Area again during the holiday season by Frizzi & Lazzi the Olde Time Italian-American Music & Theatre Company.

(1) Saturday, December 4, 2004 @ 2 p.m. Fordham University, Lincoln Center
(2) Sunday, December 5, 2004 @ at 3 p.m. Westchester Community College
(3) Saturday January 29, 2005 @ 2 p.m. Intl.Conference Center Ave, Middle Village
(Details at end)

This musical production, enjoyed by children and adults alike, celebrates Italian tradition and culture for the Christmas holidays.

BUT, before I tell you more, each of you who are community leaders, should consider how the "The Legend of La Befana" can be performed in YOUR Community.

This is an ENTERTAINING way for our kids to "connect" with their Italian Heritage.

I have been in touch with Dr. Aleandri, and there IS a SCRIPT, and it can be LICENSED at a very reasonable royalty fee.

Wouldn't this be a Fun Project, not only for the kid audience, the kid/adult actors, and the adult administrative team? Please contact Aleandri at the locations listed below.

This delightful show, written by Emelise Aleandri, Artistic Director of Frizzi & Lazzi, borrows from many different versions of the Italian myth, and recreates the story of the good Italian Witch who visits children on the eve of the Epiphany and leaves presents for good children but coal, stones and ashes for naughty ones.

Synopsis of the Legend

Many variations on the ancient legend of La Befana have come down to us by tradition and folklore but the common thread to all the stories is this:
on the Eve of the Feast of the Epiphany, January 6, Twelfth Night,
the night of magic when all things can happen,
the Magi, three wise and learned Kings from the mystical East,
faithfully and determinedly follow the brightest star in the heavens
in a relentless search for a newborn king to welcome him
as representatives of their own kingdoms.

On their long journey, they unexpectedly encounter an old woman, La Befana, as she diligently sweeps her little house and they ask her for directions to Bethlehem.

The Kings invite her to accompany them but she declines because, she explains, she is too busy cleaning her house and cannot leave.

They continue on without her but later Old Befana has misgivings and decides to embark on her own long journey in search of this new mysterious child.

Flying through the sky on her magical broom, she never finds him but wherever she does see a sleeping child, she leaves a special gift just in case that one is the newborn king, the Neonato. And she has been fulfilling this purpose on Epiphany
eve for centuries.

This musical production of The Legend of La Befana, brings to life
an assortment of colorful characters from the legend: La Befana,
her angel helper La Vespa, the Three Kings and their Camel, a Potter, a
Prophet, Shepherds, and a Sailor.

The Christmas songs are performed in both English and Italian.
The Frizzi & Lazzi website (www.frizzilazzi.com) shows colorful photos
from past productions.

Frizzi & Lazzi has given many successful performances of La Befana for groups in the NY Metropolitan area, among them: the Italian-American Women’s Center of Long Island, at Unitarian Universalist Church in Garden City, NY, at St. Patrick’s Church in Glen Cove, NY, the Tiro a Segno Organization in New York City, the Federation of Italo-American Associations in Astoria and in Flushing, and
Bella Italia Mia in Maspeth, Queens.

Frizzi & Lazzi, which means “sparkling theatre,” is a music and theatre company of professional actors, singers and musicians dedicated to reviving the delightful musical and theatrical entertainments performed by Italian-American immigrants at the turn of the century.

Saturday, December 4, 2004 @ 2 p.m.
The American Italian Cultural Roundtable,
Fordham University, Lincoln Center, 113 West 60th Street,
12th floor, corner of Columbus Avenue in Manhattan.
A reception follows; children receive a gift.
No charge for members; admission for non-members is $10.00.
Special group rates are available. Reservations are suggested.
For further information contact Dr. Richard Sorrentino,
President (732) 229-5877 (email: RSorren534@aol.com)
or Frances Bologna (212) 571-5697.

Sunday, December 5, 2004 @ at 3 p.m.  Il Club Italiano, Westchester
Community College, WCC AAB Theatre, Parking Lot 2, 75 Grasslands Road,
Valhalla, New York.  Admission is $6.00 for students and seniors; $8.00
general admission. For further information contact Prof. Carlo Sclafani
(914 785 6790).

Saturday, January 29, 2005 @ 2 p.m. Bella Italia Mia at the Council on
National Literatures, Intl. Conference Center 68-02 Metropolitan Ave.,
Middle Village NY. For further information contact Diego A. Lodico,
Bella Italia Mia 718 426 1240; bellaitaliamia@aol.com.