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Frizzi & Lazzi

One of the best ways that I can think of to add that "Italian Flavor" to those Important Celebrations. Although this Company performs mostly in NYC, and the adjoining Region, under the "right" circumstances they may be "lured" away from the Eastern Seabord.

FRIZZI & LAZZI which means ("Sparkling Theatre") is a remarkable music and theatre company of professional actors, singers and musicians dedicated to reviving the delightful musical and theatrical entertainments performed by Italian-American immigrants at the turn of the century. The body of work from which productions are adapted includes original plays, songs and skits by Italian-American writers and composers, as well as traditional theatre and music from the Italian repertory, all of which were performed on the stages of Little Italies around the United States.

The engaging actors and performers dress in period costumes, and speak and sing in both English and Italian during performances to make the material accessible to everyone, and still retain the flavor of the original Italian. Our wonderful musical and theatrical material is ideal for your social and educational organizations and will make your Italian cultural event or celebration a terrific success!

FRIZZI & LAZZI can also conduct fascinating workshops and provide educational lectures with slide or video presentations on various aspects of Italian and Italian-American culture: Carnevale - Masks - Pulcinella - Italian-American Music and Theatre - Italian Festivals. Based in the New York Metropolitan area, the company is available for local and regional engagements and tours.

FRIZZI & LAZZI is sponsored in part the New York Metropolitan Chapter of the American-Italian Historical Association www.mobilito.com/aiha

PRODUCTIONS include: The Legend of La Befana, Carnevale, Festa Primavera, The Cranky Baby, The Caffe Concerto, L'Onore Perduto, and Carnevale at City Hall

Emelise Aleandri (Artistic Director), is the year 2001 winner of theElena Cornaro Award from the New York State Grand Lodge Order Sons of Italy in America for her work in Italian-American culture. A singer, actress and folk dancer, she performs both traditional and contemporary Italian and Italian-American music and theatre in both Italian and English. A TV and film actress, she was featured in the Spike Lee films Crooklyn and Summer of Sam. Most recently she starred as the famous 19th century Italian actress, Eleonora Duse opposite Lilianne Montevecchi in Of Penguins and Peacocks. She was featured in the Walnut Street Theatre production of Italian Funerals and other Occasions and in the Off-Broadway productions of Sweatshop and SHHHHH! For ten years she was the Producer/Host of Italics: The Italian-American Magazine, a nationally-aired cable TV show. She has produced two documentaries for television: Teatro: The Legacy of Italian-American Theatre, and Festa: Italian Festival Traditions. Her book, The Italian-Americian Immigrant Theatre of New York City, was published by Arcadia and she is in the process of compiling a book of pictures of the Little Italy of New York City and a CD of Italian immigrant music.

See More at  the Frizzi & Lazzi Home Page: www.frizzilazzi.com

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