Articles by: Marina melchionda & laura razzano

  • Life & People

    Chiara Montalto. An Italian-American Tale on Stage


    Barefoot Theatre Company - now in its 12th season Off-Broadway - will present the world-premiere of Chiara Montalto's play Emergency Used Candles, with previews beginning November 4 and a press opening night set for November 6 at the Studio Theatre (38 Commerce St.) at Cherry Lane Theatre in Manhattan.

    Emergency Used Candles is a tale set in Brooklyn about the profound effect a grandfather and his granddaughter have on each other as one's life is ending while the other's is just beginning. Written and performed by Chiara Montalto, it is based on the playwright's own experience growing up as a caretaker to her grandfather.
     

    Emergency Used Candles
    is directed by Victoria Malvagno. Sound design is by Eric Nightengale, set design is by Tom Lenz, lighting design by Josh Iacovelli, and costume design by Ms. Malvagno.

     

    Chiara Montalto has appeared in the Barefoot revival of "Does a Tiger Wear a Necktie?," and the 40th anniversary production of Lanford Wilson's "Balm in Gilead." She also appeared in an Italian language production of Pirandello's "La Giara." Emergency Used Candles was first presented in Barefoot's bareNaked Reading and workshop series. Her film credits include "Saturday," and "One to One." She is directing the short documentary "Something Special," about a very remarkable group of Senior citizens.

     

    Founded by a group of theatre artists interested in producing stimulating and thought-provoking theatre for the public, Barefoot Theatre Company  has produced over 60 plays - both new and existing works - from Balm in Gilead  and  Does A Tiger Wear a Necktie? to the 35th anniversary production of Israel Horovitz's The Indian Wants the Bronx and Dog Day Afternoon, Francisco Solorzano's adaptation of the popular film. The production sold out its engagement at Theater Row. Last season, Barefoot presented the 70/70 Horovitz Project, a yearlong, worldwide festival that featured 70 of Israel Horovitz's plays on the occasion of his 70th birthday, with productions of his works in presented in West Africa, Australia, Greece, France, Italy, Korea as well as nationwide as part of Barefoot's record breaking festival.


     

    EMERGENCY USED CANDLES

    November 4-20 (Wednesdays through Saturdays at 7 pm;  Saturdays at 3 pm)

    Cherry Lane Studio Theatre

    38 Commerce Street (Off 7th Avenue, 1 block south of Bleecker)

    New York NY 10014

    Tickets are $35; $25 for students and seniors. 

    To buy tickets click here





     
    *Laura Razzano was born in Naples, Italy. She graduated in Photography at the Institute European of Design in Rome (ied.edu). She worked as a war photographer covering the end of the war in Former Yugoslavia, the Exodus after the genocide in Rwanda, the Election of Barack vs Sharon in Israel. She then decided to move to New York City, after coming to work on an assignment after 9/11. She started working on music, producing interesting music covers. She currently live in NYC where she works as a freelance, creates and experience the art of photography.