Until April 17th, Farren Timoteo’s Made In Italy is now playing at The Arts Club Granville Island Stage. Delayed by Covid from its original January run, it’s been worth the wait for the laughs and fast-paces entertainment that come with the one-man show.
The semi-autobiographical story of Francesco Martini, and his family of Italian immigrants, as he grows up in and out of Jasper, AB, moving on to reinvent himself in Edmonton. Framing the story of their lives around the courses of an Italian meal, Timoteo creates a cavalcade of laughter and music along with the caricatures of his family and friends; his father, uncle, aunt, cousins, family friends, and various other characters he crosses paths with in life and from the heavens above. Like many a proud Italian immigrant family, their life includes plenty of food, wine, music, the Church and Saints, Rocky Balboa, and hot tempers.
Set design by Cory Sincennes; Costume design by Cindy Wiebe;
Lighting design by Conor Moore Photo by Moonrider Productions
Opening Night of Made In Italy at The Arts Club marked Timoteo’s 100th performance telling the stories of Francesco and his family, having toured across the country since premiering in 2016 at Western Canada Theatre, which this production is based upon and also directed by Daryl Cloran. After this many performances characters seem second nature, he rolls effortlessly from character to character even within the confines of a song. From Italian hymns and standards, to 70s disco and pop, Timoteo displays his more than capable vocal skills and range. Besides his vocal skills, he also shows off his physical talents with tongue firmly planted in cheek during his live action thirst traps. At over two hours, Made In Italy is a tour de force marathon as Timoteo races around the family and the stage, but the time flies leaving us wanting more of the laughter, song and heart.
Let Farren Timoteo and his cast of characters make your night as Made in Italy entertains audiences until April 17, 2022 at The Arts Club Theatre’s Granville Island Stage. Join the Sunday Salon performance March 27th for an added 30 minute panel discussion, then Talk Back Tuesday with the artistic team April 5th and a VocalEye Live Description performance on April 10th. Tickets are available online at artsclub.com