I panni sporchi si lavano in famiglia

NEWS RELEASE

LAURENTIAN UNIVERSITY

************************* Italian theatre at Laurentian University

For the 16th consecutive year, Le Maschere Laurenziane, a student theatre troupe housed in Laurentian University's Italian studies program, will present their annual stage production.

This year the troupe will perform I panni sporchi si lavano in famiglia ("Don't Hang Your Dirty Laundry on the Clothesline") by local Italian-Canadian playwrights Diana Iuele-Colilli and Christine Sansalone.

I panni sporchi si lavano in famiglia takes place in the late 1950s in Sudbury's West End, an area of the city known for its large Italian presence.

The main character, Peppino Pallone, left his native Italy and came to Canada in search of a better life.

He and his wife Filomena have four daughters, and, like all other Italian immigrants of the time, tried to instill in them the values and traditions brought from the old country.

Peppino is incensed by the fact that his daughter Rita would disregard his wishes and marry a non-Italian man.

All discussions, arguments, secrets and hilarious misunderstandings are uncovered during the weekly recital of the rosary.

The play is a testament to the life that Italian immigrants have carved out for themselves in their adopted homeland.

Diana Iuele-Colilli and Christine Sansalone are both Italian studies professors in the department of modern languages at Laurentian University in Sudbury, Ontario.

The idea of writing this play came from over 15 years of experience in staging annual theatrical presentations and from the personal experience of being the daughters of Italian immigrants.

I panni sporchi si lavano in famiglia will be performed by Le Maschere Laurenziane on Friday, February 8, 2008 at 11:30 a.m. and at 8 p.m.; on Saturday, February 9, 2008 at 8 p.m.; and on Sunday, February 10, 2008 at 2 p.m. in the Thorneloe University Theatre at Laurentian University.

Admission for all the performances is $8 and $5 for children, students and seniors.

Tickets are available at D & A Fine Meats on Paris Street, at The Caruso Club on Haig Street, and John Fiorino's at the Port on Elm Street.

For further information, please contact Laurentian University's department of modern languages and literatures at (705) 675-1151, extension 4271 or 4274, or (705) 523-0988.

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