I’ve written about Eleonora Micali before when she talked about character expressions. She’s been in theater for over fifteen years. And let me say, she’s as much as actress off stage as she’s on it. Eleonora performed her second show, UNA DONNA FANTASIUSA at Fordham university, on Saturday, 13th of April. The last time she did this show I was in Morristown, so I didn’t want to miss this one. And this was my last event before Holy Week!
The president of the Arba Sicula, Professor Gaetano Cipolla was kind enough to invite me to this event even though they had a full house. I’ve never been to this part of the city, but with Lincoln Center nearby, you can tell that it’s the high stage for people in music, drama and theater.
Review: Eleonora Micali’s monologue
Credit: Giuseppe Malpasso
So let me just say, I don’t speak Sicilian or Italian. 😆 The director Signor Stefano Palmitessa did provide subtitles for those who don’t understand the language. And for a director who’s done comedy theater for over forty years, you can tell that the script is a riot just by Eleonora’s acting alone. With the subtitles I had a good laugh.
For starters, a monologue is a one act play. Eleonora plays all the parts of her crazy Sicilian family with aplomb. She’s versatile, dynamic and has great stage presence. She’s also very interactive, roping in the audience with questions from time to time.
Over the next hour and fifteen minutes, Eleonora depicts a woman trying to leave for the U.S, her mother and her grandmother trying to prevent her from doing so. The monologue covers the Sicilian matriarchs and the Sicilian way of life, from hoodwinking people to their penny pinching antics. It’s a show that has its dramatic moments but with a lot of fun!
Audience Feedback
For the people who did understand Sicilian, the majority in attendance, it was a hoot. Everyone was in stitches and Eleonora does a great job holding your attention for the entire period, without skipping a beat. Though quite hard to sustain that level of energy, she manages to keep the pace she’s set at the start, throughout the show. Many members of the audience interacted with her during the act and by the end, had so many questions about Lentini, the Sicilian village where the monologue is set. The show is also an honest view of the Sicilian mindset, their attachment to family and their small town roots. It’s a snapshot of the real Sicily, the one that doesn’t get covered in the movies as it leaves out the stereotypical.
What’s next for Eleonora Micali?
UNA DONNA FANTASIUSA goes to Matera, Europe’s cultural capital this 2019. It show also goes on tour to Sicily, Malta and Rome. Stefano Palmitessa had informed the audience during the pre-show announcement that he’s written a sequel, called the Manhattanologue, which will be a monolgue set in Manhattan. It will feature the same Sicilian protagonist facing a culture shock once she reaches Manhattan. He’s quite a funny man himself. I can’t wait to see the sequel.
So after the show, we settled for Chinese dinner at Shun Lee and mousse to discuss Eleonora’s directions with the show and all I can say it’s very exciting. She’s even teaching me some Sicilian so I understand the sequel. 😊 Stay tuned!
Do you want to watch Eleonora Micali’s show in the future? If yes, write to me and let me know.