Award-winning Pantochino Productions Inc., a not-for-profit professional theatre company for family audiences, presents it’s new musical, “Noni Cimino’s Kitchen” opening Friday, April 21, 7:30pm, at the Center for the Arts in Downtown Milford.
Inspired by memories of growing up in a large Italian-American family, the new musical offers a slice of life into the Cimino family and its matriarch, simply called “Noni” (derived from the Italian word for grandmother). When one of her delicious recipes gains national attention, her big, boisterous family—children, grandchildren, neighbors —bubble with excitement and emotion. Bert Bernardi has written the book and lyrics with Justin Rugg composing the original score. The show is sponsored in part by a grant from the Community Foundation of Greater New Haven.
“It’s about the loves, joys, ups and downs of being part of a tight knit family,” said Bernardi. “‘Noni’ represents everyone’s grandmother—sweet, proud, generous and always right,” he added. The playwright further explains “Don’t forget the food! It’s an important part of a family, Italiano or otherwise.” The musical pays tribute to everything from meatballs to lasagna and to Noni’s famous recipe for ‘chicken pizziaola.’
Making her debut with Pantochino, and in the title role is Raeleen D’Agsatino Mautner, author of “Lemons into Lemoncello” and “Living la Dolce Vita.” Mautner is the former host and producer of “The Italian Art of Living Well,” a radio show on WNHU and a columnist for The Italian Tribune. She is joined by company members including co-producer Jimmy Johansmeyer, Shelley Marsh Poggio, Mary Mannix, Maria Berte, Hannah Duffy, Brianna Joy Jackson, Rugg and newcomers Mia Davi and Emily Kopstein. The new musical will features sets by Von Del Mar, costumes by Johansmeyer, lighting by Jeff Car, sound by Sara Brown and Alejandro Lopez will stage manage.