“Whether rich or poor, young or old, educated or uneducated, I cannot think of a single culture on the face of this planet that does not incorporate storytelling as a major part of its existence,” says Natola.

The play will be performed by the East West Players (EWP) – which Natola sees as a great source of pride.

A play on meaning

Casa Leoni’s inspiration branches off from Giacomo Puccini’s Il Trittico (a combination of three one act operas). The one Natola reveres the most is Gianni Schicchi – which was based on a passage from Dante’s Divine Comedy.

“As Gianni Schicchi is loosely based on Dante, my original play Casa Leoni is even more loosely based on Puccini’s opera,” Natola shares. “It is funny, but at times touches on serious themes that can leave the audience searching for motivation factors that propel the characters’ actions.”

While largely comedic in nature, Natola’s original work is grounded in serious themes. In Casa Leoni, the sudden death of patriarch Tonino Valenti – and the surprising revelation in his will – sets off a series of schemes and misunderstandings to “set things right.” Its central message is a warning to all watching.

“Greed and thievery, even if it appears easy to achieve, can often leave one with much less than they anticipated, not only financially but morally,” says Natola. “A guilty conscience can plague us for life if we’re not careful.”

Hitting the mark

Since the EWP’s inception in 1994, the community theatre group has honed themselves into a hard-working team that brings all plays to life.

“The actors are a wonderful group of dedicated artists who give so much of themselves in the preparation of such a presentation,” says Natola.

A particularly dynamic role belongs to EWP actor Peter Alan Parrotta, who plays both Tonino Valenti, the hard-headed patriarch, and his kinder-hearted twin, Father Nick. To distinguish the characters from one another to audiences, Parrotta embodies their distinct personalities, which are shaped by dialogue, interactions with other characters and their respective backgrounds.

“Tonino is a very traditional man in how he sees the world and how everyone around him should fit in that world – when he’s challenged or doesn’t get his way, it can be quite explosive,” shares Parrotta. “Nick is more subdued, gentle and lighthearted than Tonino is, but at times Tonino’s fiery spirit will show itself.”

When it came to embodying Tonino, the actor thought about the character’s farmer background. Parrotta also dove into why the patriarch felt the way he did about his family. Ultimately, Parrotta recognizes how the two characters share similarities – while giving them separate stage presences.

“Tonino is not a great man, and I do not share the same views that he has; however, we are never villains in our own stories,” the actor shares. “This is very different from Nick, coming from priesthood, who is more open and loving about everyone’s faults or choice.”

Parrotta adds that Nick can also “be prideful” – much like Tonino. Like Natola, the actor admires the undercurrent of seriousness beneath Casa Leoni’s humour, and how his characters can teach audiences more than they would anticipate.

“Beneath the comedy and antics that take place, there is a deeper message about embracing people for who they want to be while still finding the joy in life,” Parrotta says. “Otherwise, you will lose sight of what is truly important in life, like Tonino does.”

Beyond Casa Leoni, Natola and the EWP don’t restrict their ambitions; they are eager to explore all types of themes and genres, ranging from more comedies like this one to sorrowful tragedies.

“We strive for quality, and we truly care about delivering an evening of entertainment to all of our audiences – come see us in action,” says Natola.

“I would love for the audience to come out of the experience feeling that I gave them a truly dynamic performance that they would love to see again and talk about,” adds Parrotta.

For more information, see www.italianculturalcentre.ca/upcoming-events