The hero of the story is an Italian postal worker who, frustrated by his dead end job, finally reaches the end of his tether and decides to leave home and see the world. However, he is riven by indecision as he finds the gravitational pull of his family and the things he values most undermining every attempt to escape. In the struggle to leave, he bumps his head and enters a strange fantasy world in which he meets the Florida Sunshine Girl. A fantastical journey ensues in which he dances the tarantella, becomes trapped within the walls of his apartment, and battles Strega Cecila. His battle with the witch finally wakes him from his stupor, to find that all along he had the freedom to leave and fulfill his dreams. Alberto’s Great Escape is a charming, touching tale inspired by the profound pathos of the clown combined with the communal folk memory of (Italian born) Carlo and (Italian American) Renee’s families. The band ‘Le Nozze di Carlo’ have created and recorded original Italian folk music for the piece.

• March 2008

  Hudson Opera House, Hudson, NY

• March 2008

  Pompanuck Farm, Cambridge, NY

• May 2007

  78th Street Theatre Lab, New York, NY

• August 2006

  Pleasance Courtyard, Edinburgh, Scotland

• December 2005

  Yonkers Riverfront Auditorium, presented by Hamm & Clov, Yonkers, NY

The development of Alberto’s Great Escape has been made possible through the support of New York State Council on the Arts, New York City Department of Cultural Affairs, Westchester Arts Council’s Arts Alive Grant, and 78th Street Theatre Lab.