Tarantella

Written & Directed by Marisa Buffone, Tarantella, is a cultural-anthropological drama with music, dance, song, video and food. Based on cultural and artistic aspects of Southern Italy, this original play celebrates life through the traditional dance of the Tarantella and Pizzica. The performance features prominent singer and guitarist Dominic Mancuso, internationally renowned composer, violinist and accordionist Claudio Vena, acclaimed guitarist and mandolin player Silvio Simone, and showman percussionist Armando Borg. Tarantella also features original ballads, authentic costumes, animation, film clips and images.

The story is set in the South of Italy in the 1940s. An eighteen-year-old girl and a twenty-year-old boy have shared a bond of love for two years. Every day Paolo climbs the mountain where Caterina lives with her wealthy and respected landowning family. Their love is as innocent and real as the feeling of hope that followed the liberation of Italy from the darkness of WW2. The excitement of the unknown and a sense of good things to come are in the air. But everything seems to be changing too quickly, and an unexpected series of events, choices and missed opportunities change the young lovers’ lives forever.

The multimedia aspects in Tarantella facilitate and entice all audience members to participate in the interactive theatrical experience. The performance transcends all language barriers and moves towards the understanding and enjoyment of a true social-cultural experience. The evening is enhanced by a buffet featuring typical southern Italian food.