L'Italo-Americano

THURSDAY, MARCH 27, 2014 Commedia dell'artefive hundred years later Il Fornaio BH: the Italian taste is served Last Saturday, at the Broad Stage Theatre in Santa Monica, the ancient popular theatrical genre of Commedia dell'Arte was brought back to life. Not only that, it also got easier to understand and follow, it illus- trated and walked through his- torical and cultural facts and threw in contemporary and funny elements that are cohesive to the improvisation, the overall rhythm, the movement, the sound on stage and most of all, the involvement of the audience. Active participation of the public was a great component of the show that featured actors John Achorn, Ilana Gustafson, Jon Monastero and Juliette Angeli who played different characters through the play with the help of a mask. The charac- ters played — Pulcinella, Arlecchino, Pantalone, Colombina and others -, even though they date back to more than five hundred years ago, have treats and characteristics that still well represent human personalities in the twenty-first century and that can actually help better understand our soci- ety today. Kids were attentively hypno- tized or hardly keeping their laughter throughout the entire show. They were certainly able to capture many Italian words, idioms, geographical, cultural and artistic elements that offer more than just simple education, they provide a diverse learning L'Italo-Americano THURSDAY, MARCH 27, 2014 www.italoamericano.com 4 environment that was also con- tinued at the end of the show, when kids were invited to create their own mask and interact off stage directly and closely with the actors. To graciously bring the 16th century in the 21st century isn't an easy task. A five centuries gap signifies so much change and evolvement in what people would find entertaining. Yet Studio Zanni — that takes its name from a poor, ignorant character of the ancient comedy -, does the job really well, enter- taining, outreaching, engaging, and involving and let's not for- get, educating. Studio Zanni has collaborated with universities such as USC, UCLA, Pepperdine, and Cal Arts helping enriching art cur- ricula and programs. Commedia dell'Arte is the birth of entertain- ing industry, is the discovery of the theatrical professionalism. And it is the essence, the genesis of western performing arts and its fundamental components, of Would you like to improve your cooking skills or to add an Italian taste to the usual menu? Once a month, Il Fornaio restaurant in Beverly Hills offers a cooking class based on authen- tic recipes from different Italian regions. Four courses, from the appetizer to the dessert, to learn - and enjoy - the secrets of a world-famous culinary tradition, revealed by Chef Giuseppe DiMola. Giuseppe has been working for Il Fornaio BH for 12 years, and as a chef since 1978. Before moving to Los Angeles in 1984, he worked in hotel and restau- rants in many prestigious tourist locations in Italy, such as Venice, the Elba Island, and the Riviera Romagnola, as well as in Palm Desert, California. His passion for cooking dates back to his youth in Apulia, where his family used to make food at home. And despite all the years living in the United States, he has maintained a strong and deep relation with his native country. Therefore, the amazing specialties that he pre- pares and serves to his cus- tomers are truly Italian: "There are so many restaurants that only imitates our cuisine, disseminat- ing wrong information about it and penalizing those who respect it for real. Sometimes we are forced to accept compromis- es, to adapt our knowledge to the local taste." Giuseppe's commitment is to teaching the American public which ingredients to use and how, to obtain real Italian dishes from homemade gnocchi with marinara sauce to fish al cartoc- cio and Millefoglie. He explains that Il Fornaio products are imported from Italy, some of them - like cheese, olive oil and olives, cold cuts, and wine - even through exclusive agree- ments with the suppliers. "When I arrived here in the U.S., many of those things were impossible to be found. There was no fresh mozzarella or balsamic vinegar in the stores, and a very few varieties of Italian wine. Now many things have changed." In particular, authentic ingre- dients are used on the occasion of Festa Regionale, a series of regional dinners that take place at the restaurant each month, featuring typical dishes from one Italian region: March is dedicated to Basilicata, to be followed by Apulia in April. "I am particularly glad to prepare the menu from Apulia, my native land. Usually, it includes orecchiette with broc- coli rabe, baked fish, burrata cheese, rice with pota- toes. Sometimes we collaborate with the Italian regional institu- tions that provide us with prod- ucts or promote the initiative", says the Chef. His indisputable ability and attention to the tradition are probably the reasons why he is so often asked to cater for important events organized by the Italian Institutions in Los Angeles, such as the Consulate General, the Italian Cultural Institute, and the Chamber of Commerce. Il Fornaio was originally designed and started in Italy as a retail bakery, and in 1981 the concept was imported to the United States. Years later, it was sold to an American corporation but - as one can experience - the management, chefs, products, and overall atmosphere have remained truly Italian. which the most important is def- initely the improvisation. Actors don't simply rely on a written script, they have to be on their toes for the entire length of the play. Commedia dell'arte shows used to be exceedingly joyful, funny, full of music and dance, feminine and masculine charm and gained an incredible success worldwide. Studio Zanni brings in a city somewhat artistically "polluted" what was a unique phenomenon that multiple attempts in several centuries from its birth failed to repeat, and so it did became unrepeat- able, rare and difficult to see. It represents fantasy, freedom, joy, vitality at its purest form, unal- tered, uncontaminated, unstaged, and that's the magic of it. From left to right: the Doctor, Arlecchino, Pantalone and Colombina Isabella, interpreted by Ilana Gustafson ELENA VIPERA SILVIA SIMONETTI Apr. 4, Fri.-San Trifone Society General Meeting. Mass at 6:00pm, 7:00pm at Casa Italiana (1051 N. Broadway, Los Angeles, CA 90012). For information call Angela Gallidoro (323)255-2163 or Mike Foschetti (323) 257-0302. Apr. 6, Sun.-The Trentino Club of Southern California's Spring Gathering Lunch at Portofino Italian Restaurant (651 W. Whittier Blvd., La Habra, CA 90631). 12:30-3:30pm. Cost is $25.00 p.p. For information and reservations, contact Ann DePierro at (714) 588-5135 or anndepierro@hotmail.com Apr. 9, Wed.- St. Anthony Dinner Meeting 6:30 pm at Casa Italiana. Reservations: Johnny: 213-250-2464. Apr. 11, Fri.- CRAB FEST at Casa Italiana. Dinner 6:30 pm; Reservations 323-225-8119, ext. 10 Apr. 13, Sun. – Mother Cabrini Chapel and Library Open House, 9 am to 1 pm hosted by ICF/LAADC/San Fernando Region. 3801 Scott Road, Burbank, CA. Groups may schedule visit to Mother Cabrini Chapel and Library by contacting Carmelo Sabatella at (626) 372-7812. April 13, Sun. - ICF Mother Cabrini Chapel & Library Committee Meeting at 1 pm. 3801 Scott Road, Burbank, CA. For information, call (626) 372-7812. Apr. 17, Thurs.- Holy Thursday, St. Peter's Italian Church. Mass of the Last Supper 7:00 pm. Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament until midnight. For information call 323-225-8119. Apr. 18, Fri- Good Friday, St. Peter's Italian Church. Way of the Cross 3:00 pm, Liturgical Services 7:00 pm and Adoration of the Cross. For information call 323-225-8119. Apr. 19, Sat.- Holy Saturday, St. Peter's Italian Church. Confessions 10:00 am– 12:00 pm. Liturgical Services 7:30 pm. For information call 323-225-8119. Apr. 19, Sat.-OCAIW Meeting - 11:30 AM IL Fornaio (18051 Von Karman Ave., Irvine, CA 92612, 949-261-1444). $25 program to be determined. For information call Lucy Gallo (949) 472-8218. Apr. 20, Sun.- Easter Sunday, St. Peter's Italian Church. Masses: 9:30 am (English); 11:00 am (Italian); 6:00 pm (Engllish) . For information call 323-225-8119. Apr. 23, Wed.- Abruzzesi e Molisani General Meeting. 6:30pm at Villa Scalabrini. Dinner will be served. Cost of dinner is $15.00 p.p. For information and reservations call Adelio Di Gregorio at (818) 985-0951. Apr. 24, Thurs.-Federated Italo-Americans of So. California Meeting at Casa Italiana (1051 N. Broadway, L.A., 90012). 6pm Board Meeting, 7pm Dinner ($15 pp- Reservations required), 8pm General Meeting. For information and reservations, contact contact Maria Borgese (818) 846-5764 or Ann Potenza at annpotenza@aol.com Apr. 25, Fri.- Santa Lucia Society Dinner Meeting 6:30 pm at Casa Italiana. Mass 6:00 pm St. Peter's Italian Church; Reservations: 323-257-2182. Chefs Giuliani Gallo e Giuseppe DiMola

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