During the preparation of a theatrical show, all without distinction, Artists, Authors and Workers, dream of an unforgettable triumph that places them, by right, in the Olympus reserved for Great Successes.
Surely, though, no one would ever dare to imagine a Guinness Book of World Record claim. But sometimes dreams, as in the best American film tradition, come true.
And so, way back on October 9, 1981, exactly 40 years ago, at the Teatro Unione in Viterbo, a Musical Comedy made its debut which in a few years would become a real cult show on the entire national scene, going beyond same geographical borders, to be translated into eight languages, and represented in countries such as Brazil, Mexico, Poland, Ukraine, Albania and Belarus.
‘Forza venite gente’, an Italian musical that conquered the world with record numbers and, at the time, a cast of formidable actors such as Silvio Spaccesi, Michael Paulicelli (San Francesco and today artistic director), ed Anna Maria Pirastuvoice of Pandemonium.
Just think about the dizzying numbers recorded by the musical in 3,500 performances, over 2 million and 500 thousand spectators… only in Rome, in Piazza San Giovanni, on 16 August 2000, on the occasion of World Youth Day, the show gathered 250,000 admissions, and in Padua, in the Appiani Stadium, together with Pope John Paul II, attended the representation, over 30,000 spectators.
The original music CD has sold hundreds of thousands of copies in Italy and abroad over the years. Yes, definitely mind-boggling numbers for a musical show, all proudly Italian.
‘Come on, come people’, a show deeply anchored to the majestic figure of San Francesco
And today, on the occasion of the fortieth anniversary (1981-2021), SONI PRODUZIONI Srl proposes a new version of COME ON PEOPLE. Faithful to the original in terms of plot and contents, for 2 dramaturgical development and musical scores, but profoundly renewed in terms of technology and in the quality of the staging.
So much so as to bring the Musical Comedy back to the atmospheres of a real Musical with a Northern European image, while remaining deeply anchored to the majesty of a figure, that of Saint Francis, who in the world is an icon of apostolic culture and emblem of Catholic spirituality.
‘Come on, come people’, the moving story of the ‘poor man of Assisi’, from his origins to holiness
The plot, centered on the figure of the Patron Saint of Italy, it tells the values and emotions of everyday life, but dedicates interesting moments and intense reflections on the relationship between fathers and children, often contaminated by different expectations and distant values, which feed suffering dichotomies, in the desperate search for mutual love.
In this particular case, a crude and trivially materialistic Trader cannot understand the higher and transcendent goals of the Son. And, in many ways, he is also humanly understandable: St. Francis is considered a revolutionary figure in the Christian Church: Pope Pius XII, would define him as “the most Italian of saints and holiest of Italians”… too tall a stature, perhaps, for a modest personality like that of his father Pietro Bernardone.
‘Come on, come people’, a cast of very young actors and dancers moves on stage
The show therefore offers two different levels of reading: on the one hand, the representation of a documented truth, the description of a context within which the figure of St. Francis of Assisi moves, on the other, the relationship between fathers and children, which does not need historical references, because it is part of the history of humanity, of all generations and of all ages.
And they are 20, including Actors, Singers and Dancers, who will accompany us on this musical journey, which tells the story of one of the most important figures of Christianity. A journey for some aspects mystical and spiritual, for others, of elegant entertainment and overwhelming sympathy.
A production: SONI Written by: Mario and Piero Castellacci with the collaboration of Renato Biagioli and Peter Palumbo Directed by: Ariele Vincenti Music by: Michael Paulicelli, Giampaolo Belardinelli, Giancarlo de Matteis Music collaboration: Achille Oliva, Aldo Tamborrelli, Carlo Giancamilli Cast: Mauro Mandolini (Peter of Bernardone), Stephen of Lauro (Friar Francesco), Giulia Gallone (La Cenciosa), Julia Cecchini (Saint Clare), Blessed Yardella (Poverty), Michelangelo Nari (The devil), Simone Cravero (The wolf).
The soloists: Nico Buratta, Antonio Cardelli, Francesco Catalfamo, Gioia Chiarini, Virginia Comazzetto, Flavio Di Marzo, Gaia Macca, Martina Salvucci, Lorenzo Tanfetti, and Verónica Zanin
Musical Director: Fabrizio Barbacci Musical Director and Arranger: Guglielmo Ridolfo Gagliano Sets: Alessandro Chiti Costumes: Daniele Gelsi Choreography: Dalila Frassanito Vocal coach: Roberto Colavalle Cast Supervisor: Andrea Casta
Artistic Director: Michele Paulicelli.
‘Come on, come people’ will remain on stage at the Don Orione Theater until 22 January. Here are the times
The tour in Rome Rome – Teatro Orione:
Monday, 26/12/2022, 18:00 Rome – Teatro Orione Tuesday, 27/12/2022, 21:00 Rome – Teatro Orione Wednesday, 28/12/2022, 21:00 Rome – Teatro Orione Thursday, 29/12/2022, 21:00 Rome – Teatro Orione Friday, 30/12/2022, 21:00 Rome – Teatro Orione Saturday, 31/12/2022, 21:30 Rome – Teatro Orione Sunday, 01/ 01/2023, 18:00 Rome – Teatro Orione Thursday, 05/01/2023, 21.00 Rome – Teatro Orione Friday, 06/01/2023, 18.00 Rome – Teatro Orione Sunday, 07/01/2023, 16.30 Rome – Teatro Orione Saturday, 07/01/2023, 21.00 Rome – Teatro Orione Sunday, 08/01/2023, 17.00 Rome – Teatro Orione Thursday, 12/01/2023, 21.00 Rome – Teatro Orione Friday, 13/ 01/2023, 21.00 Rome – Teatro Orione Saturday, 14/01/2023, 16.30 Rome – Teatro Orione Saturday, 14/01/2023, 21.00 Rome – Teatro Orione Sunday, 15/01/2023, 17.00 Rome – Teatro Orione Thursday, 19/01/2023, 21.00 Rome – Teatro Orione Friday, 20/01/2023, 21.00 Rome – Teatro Orione Saturday, 21/ 01/2023, 4.30 pm Rome – Orione Theater Saturday, 01/21/2023, 9.00 pm Rome – Orione Theater Sunday, 01/22/2023, 5.00 pm
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