"We are astounded by the phenomenon of this piece," said playwright/director Bert Bernardi. "Audiences have really connected with this material, the story and the characters, and our box office phone and online ticketing system has been working overtime to try to fulfill requests for seats" Two added performances of the show sold out instantly. "This is a wonderful moment for our company," said co-producer Jimmy Johansmeyer. "Word is out-Pantochino is delivering top notch professional theatre and this show in particular has hit a nerve with our patrons and the general public."
Inspired by memories of growing up in a large Italian-American family, the new musical offers a slice of life into the Cimino family and its matriarch, simply called "Noni." When one of her delicious recipes gains national attention, her big, boisterous family-children, grandchildren, neighbors -bubble with excitement and emotion. Bernardi has written the book and lyrics with Justin Rugg composing the original score. The show is sponsored in part by a grant from the Community Foundation of Greater New Haven.
The cast includes Raeleen D'Agsatino Mautner, author of "Lemons into Lemoncello" as Noni and also features Jimmy Johansmeyer, Shelley Marsh Poggio, Mary Mannix, Maria Berte, Hannah Duffy, Brianna Joy Jackson, Rugg, Mia Davi, Valerie Solli, Emily Kopstein. The new musical will features sets by Von Del Mar, costumes by Johansmeyer, lighting by Jeff Car, sound by Sara Brown and Alejandro Lopez, stage manage.
More information on the show, and Pantochino Productions, is available at pantochino.com
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