Playbill Info

Courting Italians

Fri, Dec 11, in Stratford
86 Abraham Dr, 7 PM

Sat, Dec 12, in Toronto
115 Danforth Ave, 2.30 PM

Sun, Dec 13, in Guelph
River Run Centre, 2.30 PM

No ticketing for these events; no admission charged
Reservations required

If you would like to attend, please email: dbeattie@execulink.com

Courting Italians is a new play set in an out-of-the-way restaurant not far from Rome during the dark days of German occupation, following Italy's surrender to the Allies (September, 1943).

The restaurant's proprietor and cook, men in their forties, are preparing to serve lunch to the local German commandant, their first customer in three years, when a beautiful young woman, a refugee from the devastated city of Naples, knocks on their door and asks for a job.

The cook is against the idea. They can't afford her; they know nothing about her. But the proprietor is won over.

At first the idea seems inspired. The woman is an excellent waitress, eager to do well. The commandant takes a shine to her; other influential customers are equally charmed. In spite of food shortages the restaurant is busy.

But then two men from her Neapolitan past show up, a communist resistance fighter and a Canadian airman, and the commandant's attentions turn dangerously amorous. Before they know it, the cook and proprietor are caught in a web of intrigue which threatens not just their livelihood but their lives as well.

Courting Italians is a love story, a war-time adventure, a drama with frequent moments of comic relief. Its characters include fighting men and more-or-less innocent bystanders caught up in the machinery of a terrifying war.

The reading will feature seven capable and experienced actors who will bring dramaturgical as well as acting "smarts" to bear on the workshop process. (Casting subject to change)

Rod Beattie, known across Canada for his portrayal of Walt Wingfield (and everyone else) in Dan Needles' popular Wingfield series, will take part as the chef. Rod is not only a terrific actor (and a fine cook!); he is an excellent script doctor with many "fixes" to his credit.

Michael Spencer-Davis, one of Canada's busiest stage actors, will play the restaurant's proprietor. Touchmark audiences will remember his Tegeus in A Phoenix Too Frequent (2004) and his Christy Mahon in The Playboy of the Western World (2001).

Randy Hughson has performed leading roles for Stratford, the Tarragon, Factory, Passe Muraille, CanStage, Soulpepper, Necessary Angel, National Arts Centre, the Citadel, and Blyth among many others. He has toured in such shows as High Life, Earshot and Half Life. He makes his Touchmark debut as a neighbour and rival restaurateur.

Andrei in Stratford's 2009 production of Three Sisters, Gordon S. Miller will play the communist resistance fighter. Gordon's credits include seven seasons at Stratford as well as engagements with the National Arts Centre, Oakville's Festival of Classics and VideoCabaret.

Actor, director and teacher Donald Carrier, a veteran of nine seasons with the Stratford Festival and a leading performer in regional theatres across Canada and the U.S., will take on the role of the German commandant.

Phi Bulani, last seen as Shep in Touchmark's Bell, Book and Candle (2007), will play a German sergeant and the Canadian airman stranded behind enemy lines.

The Neapolitan refugee will be played by Martha Farrell. Martha has appeared in over a dozen Stratford productions, covering major roles this past season and giving exquisite performances as Sister Claire and the Food Seller in Cyrano de Bergerac. She is a graduate of Stratford's Birmingham Conservatory, winner of the 2009 Mary Savidge Award and an alumna of Sheridan College's Musical Theatre Performance Program.