La Cantata dei Pastori (The Shepherd’s Cantata)

A musical adaptation of a beloved 17th century Italian play which follows the journey of Mary and Joseph to Bethlehem. On their way, they have many adventures, good and bad, and always entertaining. They encounter two hapless commedia dell’arte characters, Razullo and his pal Sarchiapone, who are lost in the forest. Several times along the way, the devil Plute sends demons, dragons, and devils to try and stop the birth of Jesus.

La Cantata dei Pastori has songs and dialogue in Italian, with English narration provided by La Befana, the Italian Santa Claus who gives sweets to children who have been bad and pieces of coal to those who have been naughty.