Enrico Colantoni
Born in Toronto, and one of the most versatile actors in television and film today, Enrico Colantoni is best known as the womanizing fashion photographer “Elliott DiMauro” on NBC’s long-running hit, “Just Shoot Me,” America’s favorite dad/PI “Keith Mars” on the CW’s cult classic, “Veronica Mars” opposite Kristen Bell, and as everyone’s favourite loveable alien, “Commander Mathesar,” in the sci-fi beloved film GALAXY QUEST alongside Tim Allen and Sigourney Weaver.
Colantoni currently stars on the new hit CBS primetime drama “Flashpoint” as “Sgt. Gregory Parker,” the lead officer in charge of a group of handpicked elite cops in the SRU (inspired by Toronto ‘s Emergency Task Force). Photo by Mike Belissimo
Toronto Premiere of Questo Buio Feroce (The Wild Darkness) from Italy’s Compagnia Pippo Delbono
World Stage to host Toronto Premiere of Questo Buio Feroce (The Wild Darkness) from Italy’s Compagnia Pippo Delbono
TORONTO – Harbourfront Centre’s World Stage 2011 is proud to host Italian performer/director Pippo Delbono for his inaugural visit to a Toronto stage with the theatrical spectacle Questo Buio Feroce (The Wild Darkness), January 26 to January 29, 2011 at the Fleck Dance Theatre.
For over 20 years Delbono has been creating works that defy the boundaries of contemporary theatre, working with world renowned dance and theatre creators, including the legendary Pina Bausch. His visions have been described as “part theater, part dance, part carnival, part music, the works … are hard to categorize; they leave viewers alternately elated, drained, shocked and thoughtful.” – Tara Mulholland, New York Times.
Delbono’s Questo Buio Feroce was inspired and adapted from the autobiographical essays This Wild Darkness: The Story of My Life by American writer Harold Brodkey, as he neared death from AIDS, first published in 1996. The stage adaptation is a reflection on life in the shadow of death: “a parade of haunting tableaux that connect in a poetic way, defying interpretation.” – Pat Donnelly, Montreal Gazette.
Questo Buio Feroce features actors and non-actors whom Delbono has assembled from various walks of life, including Bobò (who spent over 40 years in a Naples asylum for the clinically insane), former homeless people, and individuals confronted with other adverse circumstances. “After having worked with them,” said Delbono, “I can no longer accept that the more ‘difficult’ members of society be looked upon differently. They have become the stars of my success…It just goes to show that diversity can be a fundamental tool to opening up people’s perspectives.”
In celebration of the Toronto premiere of Questo Buio Feroce, Harbourfront Centre will launch the balance of World Stage 2010-11 with a contest offering audiences an opportunity to win a Trip for 2 to Campania, Italy, compliments of Transat Holidays. Details will be available on harbourfrontcentre.com in early to mid-December.
Harbourfront Centre’s World Stage 2010-11 Questo Buio Feroce (The Wild Darkness) – In English and Italian with English surtitles Compagnia Pippo Delbono (Italy) Jan. 26-29, 8 p.m. (*Post-show Q & A Jan. 27) Fleck Dance Theatre, 207 Queens Quay West, 3rd Floor Queen’s Quay Terminal Bldg.
Tickets: $15-$49, Box office: 416 973-4000 or HarbourfrontCentre.com
Cast and Crew:
QUESTO BUIO FEROCE World Premiere, Rome, 2006
Conceived and directed by Pippo Delbono
With Dolly Albertin, Gianluca Ballarè, Raffaella Banchelli, Bobò, Pippo Delbono, Lucia Della Ferrera, Ilaria Distante, Gustavo Giacosa, Simone Goggiano, Mario Intruglio, Nelson Lariccia, Julia Morawietz, Gianni Parenti, Pepe Robledo
Set designer: Claude Santerre
Light designer: Robert John Resteghini
Technical manager: Fabio Sajiz
Chief machinist: Gianluca Bolla
Machinist: Mattia Manna Sound: Angelo Colonna
Light: Orlando Bolognesi
Wardrobe: Elena Giampaoli Set and
costumes: realized in the workshops of Theatre de la Place-Liège
Complete information about performance times and tickets is available through the Harbourfront Centre box office by phone at 416-973-4000, or online at harbourfrontcentre.com
Harbourfront Centre’s World Stage 2010-11 gratefully acknowledges the support of Department of Canadian Heritage, Canada Council for the Arts, Ontario Arts Council, Toronto Arts Council and Intercontinental, the official host hotel of World Stage.
ABOUT HARBOURFRONT CENTRE
Harbourfront Centre is an innovative, non-profit cultural organization which provides internationally renowned programming in the arts, culture, education and recreation, all within a collection of distinctive venues on a 10-acre site it operates in the heart of Toronto’s downtown waterfront.
National Congress Honors The Man
IWOF board member and gala co-chair, Sam Ciccolini (left), gets the thumbs up from fellow board member, Lenny Lombardi (center), after receiving the prestigious Ordine al Merito award. The honor was bestowed to Mr. Ciccolini for his exceptional leadership, community service, and fellowship in the community. Sam is the man behind numerous charitable causes including the Oaklands Foundation, a non-profit organization that raises funds to improve the quality of education and development of impoverished nations, and of which he is the Founder and President. The event attracted some of the most influential Italians in the community, including co-founders of IWOF, Marisa Beaco-Lang and Jimi Bertucci, General Consul of Italy Dr. Gianni Bardini, Senator Consiglio Di Nino, Toronto Mayoral candidates Joe Pantelone and Michael Rossi, and Commissioner of the Ontario Provincial Police, Julian Fantino. Those and many others contributed to making the evening memorable and successful.
From Illustration To Reality
As a young boy in the new world, Jimi’s dreams were heightened by endless possibilities. Growing up on Grace Street, the melting pot of a pulsing environment, made him street smart, with a passion to explore the newness of his surroundings. The hood had it all, musicians, athletes, politicians, actors, novelists. This eclectic gathering of determined ethnic opportunists would eventually roar to recognition. The struggles were those typical of newcomers to a culture that was complacent in many ways. His roots and traditions of his culture can be attributed to a community that made him feel secure and safe. The Italian Walk Of Fame will be a reminder of all those that dream and never stop dreaming.
Marisa was glued to the radio and television. She sang along with popular songs and imitated the boob tube celebrities. As a teen growing up in Trieste and Toronto, she would keep in touch with the world with her many subscriptions of teen magazines. Her bi-coastal lifestyle allowed her to have a good sense of fashion and trends. Her father was a proud man that served in the Italian Army and her mother was the loving caring protective Italian mom. A graduate of York University with a major in Psychology, she would soon discover that entertainment somehow still flowed through her creative senses. She decided to leave a successful career in Psychiatric research and form her own artist management company. Over the years, she would go on to manage some very important artists and administer an extensive catalog of music for James Bert Publishing, of which she is part owner. “I feel honored to be a part of this historic event. The IWOF represents hope and inspiration for the future of our heritage”.
Rudolph Bratty
Rudolph Peter Bratty was born in Toronto, the son of Italian immigrants Donato and Carolina, who insisted he obtain an education. Bratty holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree from the University of Toronto and a Bachelor of Law Degree from Osgoode Hall Law School. He was called to the Bar of Ontario in 1957 and was appointed Queen’s Counsel in 1970.
Bratty co-founded the law firm of Gambin & Bratty in 1957 and in 1985, he created Bratty and Partners, LLP, specializing in real estate and land development law, planning and municipal law, and corporate and commercial law. Bratty is also a real estate developer and Chairman & CEO of The Remington Group Inc., one of his several companies. The Remington Group Inc. is privately-held and specializes in land development, commercial and residential building construction, property management and related business.
He has been involved in a wide range of areas including business, sports, entertainment, publishing, construction, finance and countless charitable causes. Bratty has served as a director on boards of numerous public corporations and hospitals.
He has been married for forty-four years to Catherine Anne Sinclair Bratty and they have four sons, one daughter and eight grandchildren. He remains active in all aspects of his life, working and living in the Greater Toronto Area.
Johnny Lombardi
Johnny Lombardi (Johnny Barbalinardo Lombardi), musician, Canadian soldier, grocer, impresario, and broadcaster
1915-2002
Lombardi was born to Italian immigrant parents in Toronto on December 4th, 1915. As a teenager he learned to play trumpet, and later became a popular dance band leader. After serving in the Canadian Army during WWII, Lombardi returned to Toronto and opened Lombardi’s Supermarket at 637 College Street in 1948, in the area which was soon dubbed “Little Italy.”
Lombardi began Italian radio programming in the early 50’s on CHUM and CKFH, became an impresario of Italian shows, and in 1966, he realized his dream of creating Canada’s first full-time, multi-ethnic, multicultural and multi-language radio station when he won his license for CHIN Radio AM 1540, and later, CHIN FM 100.7.
Lombardi gave a voice to millions through his CHIN Radio stations, and was recognized for his achievements and public service with awards that included Member of the Order of Canada, Member of the Order of Ontario, and Order of Merit from the National Congress of Italian Canadians.
Lombardi helped shape and define a vision of Canada that openly embraced different cultures and different languages. As Johnny said, “I hope we will all help preserve the vibrancy of multiculturalism in the city; a blend of traditions, languages and beliefs. It is this diversity that makes a community strong.”
