CT Humanities Grant Helps Bring Middletown Story to Life

Oddfellows Playhouse is pleased to announce that is has received a $225 quick grant from the Connecticut Humanities in support of its production of Hear What’s In the Heart: A Shoemaker’s Tale.  The play stars Middletown native Steve Scionti.  Scionti co-wrote the show with Tony Award -winner Anthony Crivello, also the director, who recently completed a run on Broadway of Clifford Odet’s Golden Boy.

Hear What’s in the Heart is set against the backdrop of a post-funeral gathering to celebrate the life of Scionti’s grandfather, Angelo Morello (who owned Angelo’s Shoe Repair on Main Street in Middletown.)  Taking us through the funeral day’s events, Scionti paints a theatrical family portrait in a series of humorous and poignant vignettes, transforming himself into various family members and friends.

 

“The support from the Connecticut Humanities allows us to reach out to a broader audience,” says Executive Director Matthew Pugliese. “The show is so interesting because it brings us back to a different time and generation.  It deals with the immigrant experience and adjusting to living in a new country, which so many people have experienced as first and second generation immigrant families.  I know this show will connect with so many people.”

As part of the production, the evening of Thursday June 13 will have post-show discussions led by the Executive Director of the Middlesex Historical Society Deborah Shapiro and Steven Scionti.  Deborah Shapiro will talk about the Italian and Sicilian Immigrant experience in Middletown, and Steven will talk about his family’s roots in Middletown and the development of the show. 

This family tale began on Thursday May 16, 2013.  The show will continue weekly on Thursday nights through June 20, 2013.  All performances are set for 7:30pm.  Tickets are $20. Tickets can be purchased online at www.oddfellows.orghttp://oddfellowsplayhouse.ticketleap.com/, or call 860-347-6143 for more information.

The show, which has played to sold-out houses at the Zephyr Theater in Los Angeles, as well as shows in Westchester and New York City.  It was selected to be in the 2009 NY Fringe Festival. The show played two nights at the Wesleyan University Center for the Arts in the summer of 2012.

 Connecticut Humanities (CTH) is a non-profit affiliate of the National Endowment for the Humanities that funds, creates and collaborates on hundreds of cultural programs across Connecticut each year. Connecticut Humanities brings together people of all ages and backgrounds to express, share and explore ideas in thoughtful and productive ways. From local discussion groups to major exhibitions on important historical events, CTH programs engage, enlighten and educate. Learn more by visiting http://www.cthumanities.org.