On April 13, 2019 at World Cafe Live in Philadelphia, PA. accordionist Joseph Soprani will perform in an Italian Musical called “La Giara” written by Patrica King Haddad a local artist from Lansdowne, PA.
Summary of “La Giara”: Based on the eponymous book by Patricia King Haddad, excerpts from the website: “La Giara” is a true Philadelphia story of the composer’s family’s emigration from Sicily. “La Giara” is about longing for our past and for the cultures from which we originate. What makes “La Giara” a particularly compelling work is that it is both personal and universal. Dramatic and comedic songs express themes relevant to gender oppression and cultural losses that immigrant families transcended while adapting to a new world. Actors include: John Nicholas Peters, Sarah Baumgarten, Tasha Waters, Kimberly Suskind, Steve Carrasco
Composer, pianist, vocalist, recording artist and author Patricia King Haddad, from the Brazilian ensemble Minas, draws from her musical worlds where Jazz, Brazilian, and Italian styles merge with compositions that evoke melodies of Puccini, lyrics of Gilbert and Sullivan, the drive of Brazilian rhythms, swing of ragtime, and memorable songs of Musical Theater, creating a compelling and unique musical narrative.
“Isn’t It Love”, voted Best Love Song by New York’s York Theater Competition in 2018, is one of the musical gems from the show, along with the light-hearted “A Little Pinch of This and That”, contrasted by the dark and dramatic aria “I Long For The Sun”, in which Nunzio, the Sicilian patriarch (and composer’s grandfather), regrets and apologizes for his erratic and destructive behavior.
Story Synopsis: Nunzio thinks he wears the pantaloni in his family until he instigates an incident that prompts his wife and two daughters to disappear suddenly. Leaving behind their family bridal business in Philadelphia, they use aliases and take a cross-country train out west.
La Giara originates in Sicily in 1909 with young Nunzio Minissale’s imperious cutting in line at the town water fountain. When Nunzio breaks his aunt’s heirloom giara, it unleashes a lifetime curse that crosses the Atlantic to the New World. La Giara becomes a symbol of the family’s rupture and its eventual reunion, challenging three generations of Minissale women.In this moving story, long-shattered relations are eventually healed by Nunzio’s grandchildren, who discover that La Giara, their symbolic container of traditions – some broken, some lost, some retained – has endured the cracks and damage caused by the patriarch of their troubled Sicilian family.
The Musicians: “La Giara” is performed with Patricia Haddad on piano, Orlando Haddad on guitar and percussion, Joe Soprani (accordion), Jim Stager (upright bass), Mark Linkins (mandolin). Video projections, designed by Brendan McGeehan and shadow puppets, by Roni DeFalco, will enhance and bring a visual component to the production.
In addition to performing in Broadway shows such as “Fiddler on the Roof”, “Zorba”, “Cabaret” and “Irma la Douce”, Joe Soprani has performed in world premieres of “Frida,” a musical that called for a virtuoso accordionist and “Another Kind of Hero,” a musical which featured him on stage for an entire scene. Joe, who appeared on the Ed Sullivan Show and won the Arthur Godfrey Show, appeared with TV Star Nell Carter in a “Colors of Freedom” production at the Convention Center in Philadelphia in 1995. He also appeared with Peter Nero and the Philly Pops playing a special arrangement by Nero with Soprano Evelyn de LaRosa.
In November of 1997, Soprani performed in “La Traviata” by Verdi presented by the Opera Company of Philadelphia, at the Academy of Music in Philadelphia. Klaus Arp, the opera conductor from Germany, decided to use the accordion in the small ensemble on stage during “La Banda” sections. Joe has also performed with Russell Watson on Good Morning America, and continues to promote the accordion as a serious instrument at various clubs and organizations. His workshops at schools and colleges, where he demonstrates his skills as performer and arranger to young composers and arrangers, have been well received.
Quoting one audience attendee at La Giara’s premiere in 2014: – “Words cannot describe how you impressed us with your “La Giara”, so vividly told with compassion and honesty. Tears came to my eyes and I felt uplifted and put through a wringer at the same time. What a wonderful, great body of creativity. We were immensely impressed and will not forget this incredible evening. What was a real treat for us was the great variety of storytelling through the lyrics and music. Slow and fast paces, classical and jazzy. We loved it as did everyone in the audience”.
The musical will take place for one night only at the World Cafe Live, Downstairs, 3025 Walnut St, Philadelphia, PA 19104.
For tickets call: 215-222-1400
Tickets: $30 plus fees
8:PM with one intermission
Doors open at 6:30 PM
Books will be available for purchase, $10 only night of show
Groups of 10 or more receive 1 free book per ticket
Full service bar and dinner served a la carte
Parking is free on Saturdays under the Walnut Street Bridge – access via 31st and Chestnut.
For further information email: joesoprani@gmail.com
