Theatre Production: Made in Italy--Created and Performed by Farren Timoteo

On Saturday, June 7, 2025, I attended a performance by Farren Timoteo. It was held at the CAA Theatre, 651 Yonge St., Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

The show is entitled MADE IN ITALY.  It is about an Italian teenager growing up in Jasper, Alberta, Canada, in the 1970s, caught between two worlds and determined to make his mark. This tour-de-force show is packed with disco, fantastic singing and a host of hilarious characters. Winner of the Sterling Award (Edmonton), Jessie Award (Vancouver) and Betty Mitchell Award (Calgary) for Outstanding Lead Performance in a Comedy, as well as the Calgary Theatre Critic's Award for Outstanding Performance in a One-Person Show, this is a delightful, heartfelt coming of age story about a kid with the heart of Rocky Balboa and the moves (and hair!) of John Travolta.  

Source: https://www.mirvish.com/shows/made-in-italy

Below is a description from the Playwright's Notes: 

There was a room in my grandparents' house that was strictly off-limits: the dining room. Of course, we had a smaller dinner table in the kitchen where we gathered for most of our ordinary meals, but the dining room was different. This was where we welcomed mass gatherings of family and community for extraordinary dinners and celebrations.

It was a sacred space. My Grandmother(whom I called, simply, "Ma") kept it perpetually spotless. Apart from those gatherings, I could only observe the dining room from the threshold of an entrance leading away from the kitchen. 

It was not to be disturbed, which, of course, gave enormous significance. As a child, I'd stand safely on the acceptable side of its border and take it in: A long shining wooden table perched steadfastly over a golden rug. At one end, an oaken cabinet with glass doors, behind which my Grandmother kept fine China and glittering Swarovski animals. At the other end,  a living room is designated for after-dinner lounging. Even the smallest step into this restricted space might tussle the rug just so, revealing my trespass. So, l'd wait impatiently for those nights when she'd welcome us into this forbidden room to serve us a feast she'd spent all day preparing. 

As a gift from the heart, I wrote this play to recreate the tradition of sharing and celebrate the bond we form when we enter a sacred space together, creating lasting memories around wine and food. 

                

Personal Commentary: The show, Made in Italy, was a fun-filled two hours of listening, laughing and engaging with the playwright and performer.  It was a memorable afternoon.