L'Italo-Americano

THURSDAY, APRIL 3, 2014 The Italian love story par excellence was staged at the IIC What's behind a cup of Pasquini's coffee? An invitation to see Romeo & Juliet - even if for the hundredth time - can never be refused. In fact, the version staged by Italian director and actor Fernando J. Scarpa at the Italian Cultural Institute of Los Angeles on March 27 sold out incredibly fast. What does make the world's most famous love story so spe- cial? According to Fernando, the secret lies in its authentic Italian character: while Romeo would remain himself with a different name, his story wouldn't be the same if set in a different country. Perhaps it couldn't even exist without the irrational, impulsive, sometimes tragicomic element inspired by the Italian culture. The passionate nature of the two young protagonists is wide- ly recognized - and mostly appreciated abroad - as a distin- guishing feature of the Italian people. Somehow it also guaran- tees the credibility of the plot, for example when the letter informing Romeo that Juliet's death is a fake gets lost; when she wakes up no more than twenty seconds after her lover's death; or when Friar Lorenzo resorts to deceitful home reme- dies to help them. Such events may look senseless and even unnatural, yet they are accepted as plausible due to the fact that they occur in Italy. The director has worked hard to highlight this particular aspect to both the American cast - Rob August, Sara Gonzales, Fabio Antonio, Jacinta Marasco, Franco Lentini, Mawuli Kulego - and the public. "I wanted every- body to discover - or remember - what it means to fall in love in Italy. It is something different, and it is written in Shakespeare's words", says Fernando J. Scarpa. The original script was untouched, and the actors scrupulously spoke the Elizabethan English of the 16 th century. Neither costumes nor set design were used, but only multi-color lights and a few props to recreate the atmosphere L'Italo-Americano THURSDAY, APRIL 3, 2014 www.italoamericano.com 4 of the streets and palaces of Verona in the IIC theater, patio, and inevitable balcony. Romeo and Juliet were interpreted by the young and beautiful Rob August and Sara Gonzales, who looked at the same time strong and sweet, perfectly fit for their roles. Rob attended the Performing & Fine Arts Academy in Sacramento, before moving to Bringing authentic Italian caffé in Southern California wasn't a random nor easy task for Ambrogio Pasquini. He fought hard for it. And he finally made it to the States in 1946, after fighting in the Resistance against the Germans, after see- ing Mussolini's body hung upside down, after being deport- ed twice and after travelling ille- gally in a trunk. The first thing Ambrogio 'Ambrose' Pasquini realized when he first came to America, almost 70 years ago, was that there was no place to get a good Italian coffee, and so he opened his first espresso caffé in Los Angeles. Since then, he has yet to quit coffee. Ambrogio's love for coffee never faded throughout the years. "I have no intention to quit," says Ambrogio while talk- ing about his daily routine, "I get bored if I do not work" so he still comes to work every day with the same drive and passion from when he first started. Although he clarifies, prior to begin work every day he drinks his coffee with one of his friend because "You cannot drink a coffee alone, you have to drink it with someone" Mister Pasquini knows what most Americans prefer when it comes to coffee, but he is not interested in fulfilling a stan- dardized coffee experience. "American people do not really drink espresso, they prefer vol- ume, while Europeans care more about quality than quantity, although things are changing," says the 86 years old Pasquini Espresso Italian Company founder. The places where you can drink a real tazzina di caffé (a mini espresso cup made of ceramic or glass) aren't nearly enough in Los Angeles. For this reason, Ambrogio e Matteo Pasquini, father and son of one of the most loved and presti- gious Italian coffee presence in America, have been working hard and still are putting many efforts into opening a Pasquini's coffee house. Real Italian espresso lovers will be able to drink it in a peaceful, serene, and comfortable environment and will also be able to buy Pasquini's grounded coffee, Italian pastry and other real Italian Bar's food. Not only it will be the first real Italian's Coffee 'boutique' in the city, it will also represent the first step towards the rebuilding of Los Angeles's Little Italy, a long gone neighborhood very much missed in LA. Having a coffee in Italy it's a religious experience and Pasquini wants to bring back what makes 'authentic' Italian coffee: the experience. The cof- fee certainly needs to be of excellent quality but "It's also the nice chat you have with the barista and the friends you meet there that can make a differ- ence." Because drinking a cof- fee is not an errand like going to the post office, it's a moment of pleasure. "The city is getting better and the need of a real Italian Bar has increased," says Ambrogio who anticipates that, within 2015, the first Pasquini Bar should open its doors in downtown Los Angeles. But be aware, words like tall or venti are banned from an authentic Italian Bar, just like to go cups with a plastic lid. The line to get to order your coffee plus the other line to get to your coffee with a misspelled name on it would also not be allowed. "We will have only higher quality and superior service at our Pasquini Bar," says Ambrogio, the same quality they have maintained for well over half century, with a name that means exquisite flavor and rich- ness. Ambrogio and his son truly speak from the heart when it comes to coffee, and their heart is pumped with Pasquini coffee as well: "Coffee is our blood" says Ambrogio's son, Matteo Pasquini. Los Angeles to pursue his acting career. He also studied Italian language and culture for a cou- ple of semesters in college, and dreams of visiting Italy soon. "I wanted to play Romeo my whole life. We are actually very differ- ent: I think over before making a decision, while he is guided by instinct and acts quickly without pondering the consequences. This is typical of Shakespeare's Italian characters, and Fernando being Italian really helped me understand it", he says. According to the talented actor, honesty and humanity are the most innovative features of this version of the celebrated play, as the performance was designed to allow the public to partake in the story and be close to the action – plus, controver- sial love stories are a timeless topic. Sure enough, all the atten- dees really enjoyed it. "I'm delighted by the performances of all cast and the response of the audience. I heard laughter and saw smiles, at the end I saw tears. Isn't love so?", comment- ed the Italian director. Realized in collaboration with Flying Penguins Entertainment and Performing Arts Live, Romeo & Juliet is the third chapter of a fruitful relationship between the IIC and Fernando J. Scarpa, following Shakespeare's Henry IV and Goethe's Italian Journey staged in the past years, and it will hopefully be repeated soon. Sara Gonzales and Rob August in "Romeo and Juliet" SILVIA SIMONETTI ELENA VIPERA 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. Ambrogio Pasquini (L) and son Matteo Pasquini

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