THEATER AND SHOWS: 'Made Spaghetti' sequel -- 'Secondo'-- at TheaterWorks; "Fulll Monty" coming to Little Theatre

Jul. 28—Ten years after the successful run of "I Loved, I Lost, I Made Spaghetti," at TheaterWorks Hartford, Manchester playwright Jacques Lamarre has penned a sequel, "Secondo," starting previews on Friday, July 29, and running through Aug. 28.

"Secondo" continues the romantic adventures of the lead character, Giulia, played by Antoinette LaVecchia, who originated the role 10 years ago.

"I Loved, I Lost, I Made Spaghetti" is based on the memoir of the same name by Giulia Melucci.

"Secondo"

What: Sequel to "I Loved, I Lost, I Made Spaghetti." Ten years after saying "I do," Giulia is back in the kitchen looking to spice up her marriage.

Who: Antoinette LaVecchia reprises her role as Giulia; Manchester playwright Jacques Lamarre; director: Rob Ruggiero, artistic director of TheaterWorks Hartford.

Where: TheaterWorks Hartford, 233 Pearl St., downtown Hartford.

When: Monday, July 29, through Aug. 28: premieres July 28-Aug. 4, opening night Aug. 5; Wednesdays and Thursdays at 7:30 p.m., Fridays at 8 p.m., Saturdays at 2:30 and 8 p.m., and Sundays at 2:30 p.m.

Tickets: $25 — $65, online or by phone.

Contact: twhartford.org or call 860-527-7838.

The one-woman show featured LaVecchia as Giulia cooking a meal on stage as she told the audience her story about past relationships and an upcoming date.

The idea for the sequel came from the director of both the original play and the sequel, Rob Ruggiero, artistic director of TheaterWorks Hartford.

"We talked about it off and on," Ruggiero said.

He said the idea of "Secondo" stemmed from the realization over the 2021-22 season that audiences weren't returning to the theater as quickly as hoped because of the pandemic. This led to postponing their production of Madeleine George's "Hurricane Diane" and to instead go for something with a smaller cast that was more familiar to the audience.

"I had the idea of reprogramming something for the summer that was simpler," Ruggiero said. "I looked at a bunch of stuff and thought that it was the 10-year anniversary."

"There didn't need to be a sequel, but the opportunity to revisit her and explore how she met her husband, their dating, engagement, wedding, and complications that follow was an exciting opportunity," Lamarre said.

"A boyfriend, who wasn't mentioned in the first play, comes back and attempts to tempt her to infidelity," he said.

Exploring her motivations after 10 years of marriage and asking why she would even entertain the possibility of an affair was the seed of the plot to "Secondo," he said.

"It gave dramatic reason to revisit her," Lamarre said. "The play is set on her 10th wedding anniversary. She's invited us back to her kitchen to talk about this conundrum she's facing with this guy."

Food, again, plays a major role in "Secondo" as Giulia cooks a 10th anniversary dinner for her and her husband as she tells her story to the audience.

"I wanted to call it 'Secondo,' because in an Italian meal, you'll have your antipasto, then your primo, and then your main dish, secondo," Lamarre said. "I like the fact that it implies the sequel and it is the main course, because marriage is the main course. I also like the thought that it is about 'two.'"

Due to continued concerns over COVID-19 safety, the audience in the first row will not get to eat the food this time around as they did in "I Loved, I Lost, I Made Spaghetti."

She is cooking, though, making prosciutto-wrapped melon and uovo raviolo.

"She prepares them and then decides to try this desert," said Ruggiero. "It ends up this emotional unraveling. It's mostly about her working out her latest dilemma in the kitchen. She cooks this meal in the kitchen because she's facing a small emotional crisis in her marriage."

"Antoinette is an extraordinary actor," Lamarre said.

"So much of the rehearsal time is choreographing," he said, of timing the dialogue with the food preparation happening on stage.

"I'll put into the script in writing the food items and what can realistically be made in time," he said.

"The idea of getting back into the kitchen and catching up with an old friend is really the motivation behind it," said Ruggiero.

ALSO AT THE THEATER

"The Full Monty"

Little Theatre of Manchester will present "The Full Monty," based on the cult hit film of the same name, Friday, Aug. 5, through Aug. 21 at Cheney Hall, 177 Hartford Road, Manchester.

About the play: While spying on a "Girls' Night Out," a group of unemployed steelworkers from Buffalo sees how much their wives enjoy watching male strippers. Jealous and out of work, the men come up with a bold and unclothed way to make some quick cash.

As they conquer their fears, self-consciousness, and prejudices, the men come to discover that they're stronger as a group, and the strength that they find in each other gives them the individual courage to "let it all hang out."

Show times are Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 p.m., Sundays at 2 p.m. For more information and tickets, call 860-647-9824 or visit: CheneyHall.org

For coverage of local restaurants, cultural events, music, and an extensive range of Connecticut theater reviews, follow Tim Leininger on Twitter: @Tim_E_Leininger, Facebook: Tim Leininger's Journal Inquirer News page, and Instagram: @One_Mans_Opinion77.