Italian Funerals and Other Festive Occasions

by  John Miranda

Full Length Play, Dramatic Comedy  /  6m, 6f

"Big, sprawling, and as warm hearted and touching as a family reunion.... Comic moments bubble up like a scene from a sparkling Rossini Comedy." - Courier Post.

"Captivating." - News Journal.

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Italian Funerals and Other Festive Occasions

by  John Miranda

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Italian Funerals and Other Festive Occasions

  • Cast Size

    Cast Size

    6m, 6f
  • Duration

    Duration

    105 Minutes
  • Audience

    Target Audience

    • Adult
    • Senior
    • Teen (Age 14 - 18)

Additional Info

This comic drama broke all box office records for straight plays at Philadelphia's Walnut Street Theatre. Faced with the impending loss of his mother to dementia and death, John clings to memories to postpone present decisions. He views his life in operatic proportions, feeling a kinship with Alfredo in La Traviata, with Rudolpho in La Boheme and with Tosca in Tosca because they too were unable to save the one they loved. The value of family unity and acceptance of death as an affirmation of life, twin themes in the play, emerge as John finds answers for the present in the past.
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Reviews

"Big, sprawling, and as warm hearted and touching as a family reunion.... Comic moments bubble up like a scene from a sparkling Rossini Comedy." - Courier Post.

"Captivating." - News Journal.

Keywords

Adolescence, Aging, Childhood, Death, Love, Memory, Parenting/Family

Considerations

Performing Groups

  • College Theatre / Student
  • Community Theatre
  • Dinner Theatre
  • Professional Theatre
  • Reader's Theatre

Cautions

  • Caution Mild Adult Mild Adult Themes

License details

  • Minimum Fee: $90 per performance
  • Optional Music/Media Fee: $15 per performance

Production

Details

  • Time Period: Present Day, 1970s, 1960s
  • Duration: 105 Minutes
  • Setting: The play travels back in time from past to present in memory.
  • Features / Contains: Contemporary Costumes / Street Clothes

Music

  • Musical Style: N/A (Not a musical)
  • Vocal Demands: N/A (Not a musical)
  • Chorus Size: N/A (Not a musical)

Casting

6m, 6f
JOHN - 50s
LITTLE JOHNNY - 10
BRIGIDA - Late 50s
MAMA - 92 (range 40-92)
DAD - early 40s
GRANDMOTHER - 98
ANDREA - late 20s
UNCLE DOM - late 40s
AUNT MARY - late 40s
ROSALIE - 30s-40s
FATTY TOWNSEND - late 30s-40s
BIG MAN ON HESTER STREET - 60s-70s

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Resources

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Optional sound effects available.

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Scripts

Italian Funerals and Other Festive Occasions

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Authors

John Miranda

John Miranda

Italian Funerals and Other Festive Occasions was first presented by the Walnut Theatre in Philadelphia in 1995. It was directed by Scott Reiniger.

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