Sunday,
December 16, 2007
The Legend of La Befana
- Emelise Aleandri of Frizzi & Lazzi Has Broom,
Still Flying in North East
The
ANNOTICO Report
The
Legend of La Befana, recreates the story of
the good Italian Christmas Witch who mysteriously visits on the Eve
of Epiphany , January 6, Twelfth Night.
Nobody
has done it longer or better than Dr. Emelise Aleandri of Frizzi & Lazzi the Olde Time Italian-American Music & Theatre Company.
Do
your kids a favor and either see whether one of the performances listed below
is close by, or whether Dr.
Aleandri can fit in a performance for your
organization.
Additionally,
Dr. Aleandri will be offering performances of Carnevale and the Masks of
Incidentally, Dr. Aleandri will
be honored by The New York State Commission for Social Justice,
the anti-defamation arm of OSIA, for her work promoting Italian Heritage and
Culture on Sunday, February 24, 2008 12-5 pm
Have Broom, Still Flying . . . After All These
Years
The Legend of La Befana and other Frizzi & Lazzi Events
The
children's musical play, The Legend of
La Befana, performed annually in
tri-state area venues by Frizzi & Lazzi the Olde Time Italian-American Music & Theatre Company,
returns again this season. This musical production, enjoyed by children and
adults alike and celebrating Italian tradition and culture for the holidays, is
an anticipated annual event.
The
delightful show, written and directed by Artistic Director Emelise
Aleandri, borrows from many different versions of the
Italian myth, and recreates the story of the good Italian Christmas Witch
who mysteriously visits on the Eve of Epiphany and leaves presents for good
children but coal, stones and ashes, and sometimes garlic and onions, for
naughty ones! La Dottoressa Strega
narrates as colorful characters from the legend come to life: a Shoemaker, a
Prophet; the Three Kings, a Shepherd, a Pirate, an Angelic Helper and a Man
with a headache.
Organizations
interested in more information or about hosting a performance for their
children of all ages may contact Dr. Aleandri at
(347) 965 7892 or online at Ealeandri@aol.com. The Frizzi
& Lazzi website (www.frizzilazzi.com)
shows many colorful pictures from the production.
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 the
story 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 Kings
from the East, follow a bright star (now thought to have been Halley's Comet)
in search of a newborn infant king. They come upon La Befana
as she sweeps her house and ask for directions.
The
Kings invite her on their quest but she declines because she is too busy
cleaning house so they continue without her. She later has misgivings and
embarks on an endless journey in search of the child. She never finds him but
wherever she does find a sleeping child, she leaves a
gift in case it is the newborn king, the Neonato. And
she has been doing this on Epiphany for centuries.
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. Performers
and musicians include: Barry Mitterhoff, Richard Sorrentino, Nancy Masouridis, Jay Posipanko, Arnie Migliaccio, Carmela Scala, Peter Linari, Nick Raio, Mary Kay Wolfe, Luigi Scorcia,
Yvonne Mattevi and Jesus Del Rosario.
Emelise Aleandri
has extensive experience in theatre, film and television as both actor and
producer and is an author of articles on Italian-American theatre and culture
and books published by
Carnevale
and The Legend of La Befana
are produced under the jurisdiction of GIAA, the Guild of Italian-American
Actors (Italian Actors Union, AFL-CIO). A list of future performances by Frizzi & Lazzi for the
2007-2008 season follows:
December 1, 2007 from 5 to 7 pm
La Befana Visits Little
Friday, December 7, 2007 @ 2:30 pm
The
Legend of La Befana at Mount
Sunday, December 9, 2007 @ 11 am
The Legend of La Befana
and Children's Christmas Party at the Marcus Christ Hall, corner of
Saturday January 5, 2008 @ 2 pm
The Legend of La Befana
at the Hall of the Church of the Most Precious Blood at 113 Baxter
Street, just above Canal Street in Little Italy, New York City. Admission is
only $5.00 per person. Children receive a goody bag from La Befana
and adults enjoy coffee & biscotti. Feel free to invite family, friends and
neighbors to this wonderful event. Sponsored by the Lt.
Joseph Petrosino Lodge #2741 (OSIA) and The Little
Sunday, January 6, 2006
The Legend of La Befana
sponsored by the Italian American Association of Monmouth County Matawan,
New Jersey. Don't miss this exciting cultural event for children and adults
alike! Feel free to invite family friends and neighbors to this wonderful
event! For further information: Maria Cucciniello,
(732) 863-0021, or Cheryl Scuorzo (732) 536-5832.
Sunday, February 3, 2008 1-5:30 pm
Carnevale, the fantastic Festive Musical Celebration in
the classic style. sponsored by The Italian American
Association of Monmouth County Matawan, New Jersey. Come join us in
wearing costumes and masks. An old commedia dell'arte
sketch will include audience participation. For further information: Maria Cucciniello, (732) 863-0021 or Cheryl Scuorzo
(732) 536-5832.
Wednesday, February 5, 2008
Carnevale and the Masks of
Sunday, February 24, 2008 12-5 pm
28th Annual CSJ Dinner Dance. The New York State
Commission for Social Justice, the anti-defamation arm of OSIA, honors actress
and author Dr. Emelise Aleandri
for her work promoting Italian Heritage and Culture and contributing to the
positive image of Italian-Americans. Emelise was the
year 2001 Elena Cornaro Award Recipient from the New
York State Grand Lodge (OSIA), a 2003 Leone de San Marco Honoree and a 2005 New
York State Woman of Distinction. The event will be celebrated at Russo's On The Bay in Howard Beach,
Sunday, March 16, 2008 @ 2 pm
Carnevale, the fantastic Festive Musical Celebration in
the classic style. Come join us in wearing costumes and masks. An old commedia dell'arte sketch will include audience participation.
Sponsored by Il Club Italiano of
Dr. Emelise
Aleandri, Artistic Director
Frizzi & Lazzi The Olde Time Italian-American
Music & Theatre Company
Trafalgar House
347 964 7892; cell 917 821 1036
office: 212 675 1003
Website: http://www.FrizziLazzi.com
email: EAleandri@aol.com
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ANNOTICO Reports Can be Viewed (and are Archived) on:
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Annotico
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