Celebrate Italian Culture in The Little City

A little piece of Italy is coming to Falls Church this weekend with three performances highlighting traditional Italian theatre and dance. ArtSpace Falls Church will host these performances, part of Creative Cauldron’s Passport to the World festival. Creative Cauldron is the non-profit arts organization that manages and operates ArtSpace.

Faction of Fools Theatre Company will present The Great One-Man Commedia Epic on Saturday night and A Commedia Romeo & Juliet on Sunday afternoon. Faction of Fools celebrates Commedia dell’Arte, a form of professional theatre begun in Italy in the early 16th century that created a lasting influence on Shakespeare, opera, vaudeville and even now on contemporary musical theatre and improv comedy.

Faction of Fools artistic director Matt Wilson will perform in The Great One-Man Commedia Epic, which has played around the world since 2004. “It’s magical, silly fun that has delighted audiences of all ages for years,” Wilson said of the play. “There is plenty of audience involvement as I play 12 different characters, even dueling myself! And we all go on a Renaissance thrill ride.”

On Sunday afternoon, the theatre company’s newest show A Commedia Romeo & Juliet will come to Creative Cauldron. The Helen Hayes Award recommended show just played a critically-acclaimed, sold-out run in Washington, D.C. Wilson is the director of this popular production.

“We were very honored to have the Helen Hayes Awards single out our work,” Wilson said. “It is a testament to how dynamic this art form is, and the art form also has the flexibility to adapt to any space or audience. I think this weekend's crowds at Creative Cauldron are in for a treat with both shows!”

Wilson described the Faction of Fools version of the Shakespeare classic as a high-octane, 75-minute version of the original story that keeps all of the major characters and Shakespeare's beautiful poetry intact, but with only five actors performing on stage.

“We use the classical masks and physical style of Commedia dell'Arte, and we emphasize how Shakespeare's tragedy is actually playing with the form of Italian Romantic Comedy,” he said.

“I have been amazed by how all kinds of audiences, including children and people who do not like Shakespeare, find themselves enrapt by this fast, funny and physical telling of a touching story. Meanwhile, fans of the Bard will enjoy some inside jokes and the ways in which Commedia and Shakespeare go together. It truly is fun for the whole family, a "cultural" outing that is actually a good time!”

Stick around on Sunday afternoon for an Italian Village Dance Workshop with Celest DiPietropaolo, his wife Marie Luise DiCocco and their daughter AnnaMaria Rosina DiPietropaolo. The trio will give an overview of traditional music and dance throughout Italy, followed by a demonstration of some music, dances and songs. They will also teach several dances, ending with a carnival dance from a small mountain town near Naples.

The Italian family were drawn to the Passport to the World festival because they liked the idea that it was designed to appeal to all ages. They also felt that such an intimate space would be perfect for their workshop.

“Many times in Italy, dance spaces are small, whether they be within a circle of people in a piazza, or a small space in a restaurant at a family event, or in someone's home,” DiPietropaolo said. “When we teach in a large space, we spend a lot of time keeping dancers closer together. Having a small, intimate space in which to teach causes this to happen naturally.”

DiPietropaolo said his family is looking forward to teaching dances to people who most likely think that folk dance is something that is performed and not something that is participatory. 

“These dances are still being done by people in villages throughout Italy, people of all ages and abilities,” he said. “They are done by the people for their enjoyment and for each other, not as a performance. We hope to provide an experience that people of all ages can enjoy.”

Click here to learn more about this weekend’s performances.

The Great One-Man Commedia Epic
Saturday, Feb. 11, 7:30 p.m.; $18-$20

A Commedia Romeo & Juliet
Sunday, Feb. 12, 2 p.m.; $18-$20

Italian Village Dance Workshop
Sunday, Feb. 12, 4 p.m.; $10

All three performances will be held at ArtSpace Falls Church:
410 South Maple. Ave.; (571) 239-5288