.SOOP THEATRE COMPANY Presents:

AMERICAN, ITALIAN

WRITTEN BY: ANTHONY P. PENNINO
Produced by: PAUL ROMANELLO

Starring: ISABELLA BERTONI, DONOVAN COUNTS, DANTE PAMINTERI, PAUL ROMANELLO, SARA ROMANELLO, MARC ROMEO

Directed by: MIKE KELLER
Set Design: REILLY RABITAILLE
Scenic Painting: JOSH IACOVELLI, KARMEL SPANIER
Costume Design: MICHELE ROMANELLO
Lighting Design: ELIJAH SCHREINER
Lighting Board Operator: MAX ROMANELLO
Graphic Design: MICHAEL LAMY GRAPHIC DESIGN
Sound Design: SEBASTIAN GUTIERRIEZ
Stage Manager: MAX EVANS
Publicity: KATIE ROSIN/KAMPFIRE FILMS PR

Performed at: Factory Series at the Chain Theater: 312 W 36th Street
Tickets available at sooptheatre.booktix.com and box office
Running April 29th-May 16th, 2026

Why did the audience applaud loudly, instead of rising to give a standing ovation for Anthony P. Pennino's AMERICAN, ITALIAN? Because they were so deeply touched and moved by the sublime acting that they couldn’t get out of their seats. They needed to catch their breath. You will laugh, you will cry, you will remember, and you will also realize you can’t forget the impact of your heritage, upbringing, and familial roots. The dichotomy between street-smart and book-smart, between Italian and American culture, and between parent and child was skillfully portrayed with a mix of compassion and bewilderment.

The writing was sharp and impactful, and the acting of each of the six characters was punctuated with raw emotions and crisp dialogue. “We are strangers to one another, and yet we are all family.”
And if by chance you have a sibling, cousin, or friend who is very different from you, like DONAVAN COUNTS and DANTE PALMENTARI or PAUL ROMANELLO and MARC ROMEO, good luck not choking on the words or actions you wish you could take back.

-Ronni Burns