A spokesperson says---
“...This concert version of the show features beautiful Renaissance Neapolitan music - tarantellas, villanellas and pastorales -all from traditional sources, with original music by John La Barbera. Adaptation and stage direction are by Alessandra Belloni. Songs are sung in Italian and old Neapolitan & Sicilian dialect; costuming and music instrumentation is traditional Southern Italian; narration is in English. The concert ends with Mary and her infant child, joined by the Company, in a reverent performance of the oldest known Neapolitan Christmas song with a nativity scene. The finale includes a special surprise appearance by the comic character GYPSY JOE as LA BEFANA (good witch of Christmas) following the ancient Italian tradition of the Epiphany, bringing sweets to the good children and coal to the naughty ones..."
CAST & CREATIVE TEAM:
Alessandra Belloni - Artistic Director, Percussions and Vocals
John La Barbera - Music Director, Composer, Guitar, Mandolin, Chitarra Battente
Mara Gerrety -violin, vocals
Featuring GYPSY JOE AS LA BEFANA! Dancers: Mark Mindek as the Angel on stilts and Peter de Geronimo as shepherd & Devil
