But
that's not what the show is about. It's about immersion in a way of life
so different from the familiar, that the term "culture shock" is more than
just a cliché. Dina talks about life with her grandmother "Nona" in
Canada, and her decision to jump continents to pursue an acting career in
Italy. The fun begins when she describes her experiences with the Italian
men and how their views of sex are so different from what she had
experienced or expected in her native country. The audience howls when
she talks about the many churches she visited, modifying her prayers as
the situations never quite worked out as she hoped describing all the
sexual mine fields she constantly had to evade before finally establishing
a career as a talk-show host in Italian television.
Creating characters comes easy to Dina, who brings to life several people,
from her loving grandmother to her interview with Federico Fellini, and a
few others in–between, capturing a variety of voices, inflections and
personalities, and her depictions of various encounters keeps the audience
in constant stitches.
While she undoubtedly is a great actress, excellent singer and
entertainer, her greatest asset is the ability to tell a story. As she
describes situations and people, using different accents, adopting
attitudes and mannerisms, it becomes evident that we are sharing some very
intimate and private events that made a deep impression in her life. And
in that sharing, we sort of live them vicariously, getting excited with
her at a possible success, getting angry when she's mistreated, feeling
exasperated as doors seem to slam shut and eventually accepting her life
and the place she has found which for now, seems to bring her the
fulfillment she has so diligently sought.
Talking to Dina after the show, we discovered a warm, open and sincere
individual whose major concern is providing a meaningful experience for
the audience that she openly reveres and respects. Several people came up
to her and congratulated her, with one patron exclaiming "You nailed it"
Indeed, she did! And what about the opening lines? You'll have to see the
show to find out their context, but don't be surprised if along with the
laughs you also get an unexpected cultural lesson.
Before the show, the Italian National Anthem is played, and at least one
person stood in reverence while the music played. If you've never heard
it, you're in for a truly unexpected treat. Dina can easily bring out the
Italian in you too, and under Peter Flood's direction will continue to do
so until March 5, 2006 at the Globe Playhouse, 1107 North Kings
Road, West Hollywood. Reservations at : (323) 960-5521 or
www.plays411.com/theitailan
PICK
OF THE WEEK Dina's website
www.dinamorrone.com
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