Pantochino's New Musical ITALIAN WEDDING SOUP To Debut In Milford

Pantochino Productions Inc., a not-for-profit professional theatre company for family audiences, presents it's new musical, "Italian Wedding Soup" for a three-week run at the Center for the Arts in Downtown Milford beginning Friday, April 20, 7:30pm.

Inspired by the memories of growing up in a large Italian-American family, the new musical follows the Cimino family as their youngest child embarks on matrimony. When all the elements come together at an over-the-top wedding venue, an unexpected glitch finds the Italian-American family and a Jewish family vying for the grand ballroom. Tempers flair, cannoli flies and its up to the two grandmothers, Noni and Bubby, to restore peace and calm to both families. Bert Bernardi has written the book and lyrics with Justin Rugg composing the original score.

"Last year's production of 'Noni Cimino's Kitchen' was such a huge success, we wanted to follow it up with another look at this family in a completely different situation," said Bernardi."Everyone who has ever lived through the travails of planning a wedding, Italian, Jewish or otherwise, will get it-the laughs are fast and furious, the love shared by close-knit families is a heart-warming delight."

Returning to the role of Noni Cimino is Raeleen D'Agsatino Mautner, author of "Lemons into Lemoncello" and "Living la Dolce Vita." Mautner is the former host and producer of "The Italian Art of Living Well," a radio show on WNHU and a columnist for The Italian Tribune. She is joined by company members including co-producer Jimmy Johansmeyer, Shelley Marsh Poggio, Mary Mannix, Maria Berte, Hannah Duffy, Brianna Joy Jackson, Emily Kopstein, Rugg and newcomers Pat Covino and Steven Azzaro. The new musical features sets by Von Del Mar, costumes by Johansmeyer, lighting by Jeff Carr, sound by Sara Brown and Alejandro Lopez will stage manage.

"Noni Cimino's Kitchen" will be performed April 20 through May 6 with shows Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30pm, and Sundays at 2pm. Tickets are $25. online, or $28. at the door. Advance tickets are strongly suggested. Seating is at tables and chairs and audiences are invited to bring their own food and drink to enjoy during the performance. The intimate Milford Center for the Arts is located at 40 Railroad Avenue South on the east bound side of the Metro-North tracks. Free parking is available in the train station lots. Further details are available at pantochino.com.

Photo Credit: Julia Gerace

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