Lucia Grillo Joins Impetus Ensemble's VATICAN FALLS Cast
By: Kelsey Denette Apr. 23, 2012
Impetus Ensemble will add Lucia Grillo to the cast of this special presentation of an ambitious new play, Vatican Falls, written by Frank J. Avella (author of "Consent") and set against the backdrop of the Catholic sex abuse scandal. The staged reading will be presenTed May 15, 2012 at 6:45PM at the National Comedy Theatre. All proceeds from the play will benefit SNAP (Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests).
Based on factual material, "VATICAN FALLS" follows the life of one survivor who struggles with understanding how those closest to him could damage him the deepest. The multi-genre, non-linear play probes the conflicting feelings involved in most sexual abuse situations and dares to confront the truth about the ever-growing scandal and the Church's complicity in it.
"VATICAN FALLS" was set to have its World Premiere in Rome, Italy, last May but was cancelled the night before opening amidst controversy and claims of death threats. This will mark the first U.S. presentation of the play to an audience since the last workshop in 2010. We hope to raise awareness about the real facts concerning the scandal and about this very important group that has provided a safe haven for survivors since 1988.
"VATICAN FALLS" features: Francesco Andolfi, Carlotta Brentan, Drew Bruck, Matthew Crooks, Carlos Dengler, Joshua Dixon, Lucia Grillo, Kalen J. Hall, Liza Harris, Devon Talbott & Rob Ventre. Stage Directions: Cali Gilman. Musical Director/Arranger: Brad Gardner. Songs written by Claudio Procopio & Frank J. Avella. Directed by Laura Caparrotti.
The National Comedy Theatre is located at 347 West 36th St. (between 8th & 9th Aves), NYC. Tickets range from $20 to $50. Reservations via: VaticanFalls.com or call 973-715-2356.
Frank J. Avella (Author) recently completed Nemesis, The Mad Ones & Consent, a semifinalist for the O'Neill Playwrights Conference. Consent will be workshopped at the Celebration Theatre in W. Hollywood this Fall. Frank is currently working on his 17th full-length play and adapting Consent for the screen. Seven of his works have been produced in NYC (Unhinging, 3 Cains, Michael's #1 Fan, Lexy, About Christine, The Bubble, Greener); one in Cincinnati (Iris). Frank is a film journalist for newyorkcool.com and a proud member of the Dramatists Guild.
Lucia Grillo -- SAG/AFTRA/AEA. Film: Spike Lee's Summer of Sam and Tony Gilroy's Duplicity. Theatre: The Walls Came Tumbling Down, A Brief History of Love & Sex (Cherry Lane). With her Production Company, Calabrisella Films, Lucia wrote and directed the award-winning The Cost of Bread, the Cannes Film Festival Official Selection Ode to Hipponion and the feature-length documentary Earth Dream Earth. She is the associate producer, editor, and correspondent of the TV program Italics (CUNY-TV) and she recently directed music videos for the band Kings Destroy. Further info at www.calabrisellafilms.com
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