My Italy Story at Hamilton Stage

Michael Notardonato *

Michael is honored to be bringing all of the characters of My Italy Story to life here at American Theater Group. Michael is a New York City-based actor originally from the Chicago suburbs, and is a proud first-generation American, born to immigrant parents from Italy and Romania. In NYC, Michael originated the role of Dino Del Canto in the Off-Broadway premiere of Romeo & Bernadette and can be heard on the soon-to-be released original cast album. Michael recently wrapped filming a new Netflix series in a recurring role that will premier in 2025. He has starred as Tony Manero in several productions of Saturday Night Fever all over the country and internationally, including at The Engeman Theater and Ivoryton Playhouse (Best Actor nomination - Connecticut Critics Circle). Other select credits include Bob Gaudio in Jersey Boys (WPPAC, Ivoryton Playhouse), Danny Zuko in Grease (Royal Caribbean Int’l, The Rev Theatre Co.), and Link Larkin in Hairspray (Wheelock Theatre). He also appeared as Dr. Flores opposite two-time Emmy Award winner Dorothy Lyman in the two-person play, Organic, at the Ivoryton Women Playwright’s Festival. Michael holds a BFA in Musical Theatre from The Boston Conservatory and is a member of Actors’ Equity Association. Many thanks to Jim Vagias, Joseph Gallo, Charlotte Cohn, everyone at ATG, and his agents at Pantera/Murphy. Also, a special thank you to Joe Brancato for first introducing Michael to My Italy Story. Michael sends his love to his friends, Troy, his parents Giuseppe and Adriana, and his sister Lucia. As always, for Mama. www.michaelnotardonato.com

Joseph Gallo *

A noted playwright, actor, educator and storyteller, Joseph Gallo appeared in the original production of My Italy Story at Penguin Rep, which later had its debut Off-Broadway at the 47th Street Theatre in New York, featuring Danny Mastrogiorgio. The play later received a critically acclaimed revival at Hoboken’s Mile Square Theatre starring Emmy Award winner Tom Pelphrey, who was named Best Actor by The NJ Star-Ledger. Gallo’s full-length plays include: Two-Man Kidnapping Rule (New Ohio Theatre); Warning: Adult Content (Theatre 54); Staten Island (Circle Rep Lab); and New York City 523, published by Next Stage Press. He is a current member of the Actors Studio Playwrights and Directors Workshop, a New Jersey Council of the Arts Playwriting Fellow, and a recipient of the NJ Council of the Humanities Incubation Grant for New Work. A frequent participant at The Moth in New York City, he has toured with The Moth Mainstage Ensemble, has been featured on The Moth Radio Hour and Podcast and is a four-time StorySLAM winner; he will soon be competing in the NYC Grand Slam event. Gallo is the former playwright-in-residence at Mile Square Theatre where his credits included writing and performing in pieces including Yuppies Invade My House at Dinnertime, The Magic Hour, The Playbill Gallery (a love story), AJ's Book and Long Gone Daddy. He is the founder and director of the Theatre Arts Program at Hudson County Community College and is a recipient of the Kennedy Center Prize for Innovative Teaching in Theatre. He holds an MFA in Playwriting from Ohio University.

Charlotte Cohn *

Charlotte Cohn is grateful to return to ATG directing My Italy Story. Following the success of Canned Goods by Erik Kahn last season, she will direct the play again in London for its UK premiere, in January 2025. Other directing highlights include Church & State (Berkshire Theatre Group), The Whole Shebang and Baltimore in Black and White (The Cell Theatre, NYC) and Best Friends (Jazz at Lincoln Center). She has appeared on Broadway in La Boheme and Coram Boy and her producing credits include Here Lies Love (Broadway), Without You (starring Anthony Rapp) and Handle with Care and Church and State by Jason Odell Williams. Ms. Cohn is an Ovation Award Winner and a Bay Area Critics’ Circle Award nominee. Her musical The Sound, based on her father's true story of escaping from Denmark to Sweden during WWII, will be presented at The Museum of Jewish Heritage on November 17th, 2024. To register for tickets please visit - https://mjhnyc.org/events/thesoundanewmusical/