Alberto's Great Escape

"Even without fairy dust scattered over our hero Alberto, there's a warmth & magic about Alberto's Great Escape... The agile Adinolfi is a beguiling and versatile entertainer... a delightful show."
- Lynne Walker, The Independent, UK

"...the fantastical adventures of an Italian postal worker have real appeal for dreamers of all ages."
- Mary Brennan, The Herald, UK

Elements of dance, clowning, and Commedia dell'Arte bring to life this heart-warming tale, exploring dreams of adventure, the difficulties of leaving home and what it means to be Italian!

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 more than he can bear. In the confusion of attempting 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.

Children will love the physical clowning moments in Alberto's Great Escape, while adults will appreciate Alberto's quest and the poetic language.