2011 - INTERNATIONAL FESTIVAL “ORLANDO INNAMORATO” in Italy

Plays directed by Vittorio Capotorto:
Il viaggio segreto and Il figlio di Ivan, by Paolo Tartamella
Ordine e matrimonio, by Aldo Nicolaj
Pericolosamente, by Eduardo De Filippo

2010 - INTERNATIONAL FESTIVAL “ORLANDO INNAMORATO” in Italy

Plays directed by Vittorio Capotorto:
Amleto in salsa piccante and Visita ai parenti, by Aldo Nicolaj

2010 - IL PASSEGGERO CURIOSO

In the summer of 1929, Giuseppe Ranieri, an antifascist carpenter from Molfetta, sneaked back to Puglia from Hoboken. He managed to trick Mussolini’s authorities when he went to pick up his four children. That same year, Elvira Catello (born in Locorotondo) found herself supporting her five children on her own after the death of her husband. Eventually, while still in New York, she wrote an antifascist drama and published Marx’s “Capital” in Italian.
At the same time, Chiara Grassi was becoming more politically involved than her husband, the anarchist Michele Tambone, who she joined in America in 1921.
In the meantime, a construction worker from Modugno, Giuseppe Sgovio, had become an officer of the American Communist Party. His fate led him to Moscow, and eventually to suffer the hardships of Stalin’s labor camps. His son, Thomas, will also experience the political repression of the Soviet regime.
How ironic for these two men who had embraced Communism with enthusiasm, to the point of moving from Buffalo to Moscow!
These are forgotten (at least ignored) stories. Stories of political commitment, all of them interwoven in “The Curious Passenger” by Paolo Tartamella.
A script on the border between history and sheer fantasy: a journey in a train in which many emigrants from Puglia happen to be travelling, and where they expressed their longing for democracy.

2010 - WEEKEND WITH A KILLER

by Nicola Saponaro, translated by Maureen González, and directed by Vittorio Capotorto.
A romantic comedy in the spirit of a Dame Agatha Christie crime novel. The two main characters, from two very different stations of society meet at the crossroads of life; each faced with a decision that will irrevocably determine their futures!!

2009 – INTERNATIONAL FESTIVAL “ORLANDO INNAMORATO” in Italy

Objectives:
a) Research and study of the epic in the written and oral tradition.
b) Composition and performance of a theatrical text.
c) Academic exchange of ideas based on research.
d) Publication of the theatrical texts and a synthesis of the aforesaid exchange of ideas in the original language of the participating countries/universities, with a facing-page English translation.
e) Exchange of ideas about the academic realities with the artistic structure of the area where the show is performed.
f) Contribution to the public understanding of a region’s culture.
g) Development of transnational relations by acknowledging the stories, customs, and traditions of different countries.

Plays directed by Vittorio Capotorto:

Le isole lontane

episodes from Matteo Maria Boiardo’s Orlando Innamorato adapted into a comedy by Jo Ann Cavallo, directed by Vittorio Capotorto, Set design: Bruno Garofalo; Photography: Fabio Donato; Costume design: Mariagrazia Nicotra e Rosanna Calcagnile; Original score: Ron McIntyre; Choreography: Quincy Junor; Music performed by Ron McIntyre & Glorify Soul Corporation; Assistant director: Maureen González; Assistant-set design: Rocco Carlucci. (Ugento, Maglie, Tricase, Aradeo – LE.)

Il Mistero di Doruntina

by Paolo Tartamella, based on the novel Chi ha riportato Doruntina by Ismail Kadare’, directed by Vittorio Capotorto (Ugento – LE.)

2007 – PHILIP MAZZEI
(AN ITALIAN – AMERICAN WORLD HERO)

a jazz opera based on an idea by Francesco Fulcini. Music by Ron McIntyre & Govinda Gari; Libretto by Paolo Tartamella; Directed by Vittorio Capotorto; Consultant, Margherita Marchione.

2007 – VISIT TO RELATIVES

by Aldo Nicolaj, directed by Vittorio Capotorto (English version) (New York.)

2006 – ORLANDO IN LOVE

adapted into a full length comedy and translated into English verse by Jo Ann Cavallo, directed by Vittorio Capotorto. (Naumburg Bandshell, Central Park, New York, through the New York City Commission of Parks & Recreation, Department of Special Events.)

2004 – LONG-LEGGED LIES

by Eduardo De Filippo, translation by Paolo Tartamella, directed by Vittorio Capotorto
(The Players Club, New York.)

2003 – ORLANDO IN LOVE (abridged version)

adapted into a half-hour comedy and translated into English verse by Jo Ann Cavallo, directed by Vittorio Capotorto (Medieval Festival at Fort Tryon Park, New York.)

2002-2003 – THE BUSBOY

by Paolo Tartamella, directed by Vittorio Capotorto (New York.)

2001 – AMERICA AMERICA!

by Enzo Carollo, in collaboration with Jo Ann Cavallo and playwright Paolo Tartamella, directed by Vittorio Capotorto, original score by Domenico Capotorto (New York.)

2001 – SUMMER PROGRAM

in Italy of the Italian Department at Columbia University & International Festival “Orlando Innamorato”: Il giardino di Falerina, episodes from Books I and II of Matteo Maria Boiardo’s Orlando Innamorato fashioned into a comedy by Jo Ann Cavallo. Adaptation of the text by Paolo Tartamella, directed by Vittorio Capotorto, and L’albero dell’imperatore by Paolo Tartamella (Scandiano – RE / Vico del Gargano – FG.)

2000 – SUMMER PROGRAM

in Italy of the Italian Department at Columbia University: Orlando Innamorato (in Commedia), episodes from Book I of Matteo Maria Boiardo’s Orlando Innamorato fashioned into a comedy by Jo Ann Cavallo. Adaptation of the text by Paolo Tartamella, directed by Vittorio Capotorto
(Emilia Romagna.)

1999 – VISITA AI PARENTI

by Aldo Nicolaj, directed by Vittorio Capotorto (New York.)

1999 – SABBIA

a play written to celebrate the centennial of composer Niccolo’ Van Westerhout, by Paolo Tartamella, directed by Vittorio Capotorto, production manager, Alberto Ingravallo (New York.)