Behind the Rose Tattoo: New Solo Play, La Magnani, Goes Beneath the Surface of Italian Actress Nov. 14-24 in NYC

By Kenneth Jones
November 9, 2004

La Magnani, a one-woman play that explores the life of Anna Magnani, one of Italy's most celebrated actresses, written and performed by Theresa Gambacorta, opens Nov. 14 at The Gene Frankel Theatre Off Broadway.

"With her irreverently messy black hair and eyes whose dark circles framed a vibrant and haunting expression unmatched in its intensity, Anna Magnani carved out an extraordinary cinematic career that defied the glamorous image of her rivals," according to production notes. "Her unique way of simultaneously communicating strength and volatility made her a screen icon. Starting from her formative years when the actress, abandoned by her mother, derived comfort and inspiration from watching her own screen idols, until the peak of her fame, Magnani's life was a struggle against anger, loss and betrayal."

Among the men in her life was the great director, Roberto Rossellini who cast her in "Open City," which made her an international star.

"Their highly charged personal and professional involvement also put her at the forefront of the media until her place in his life was taken by Ingrid Bergman," according to the La Magnani announcement. "When her career began to flounder, another important admirer and kindred artistic spirit entered her life, Tennessee Williams, who wrote the role of Serafina in The Rose Tattoo for her. Nervous about her English and unwilling to leave her polio-stricken son, she declined the offer to do the role on Broadway."

She later played the lusty part on film, and she won the Academy Award for her work.

Theresa Gambacorta developed La Magnani in a six week workshop under the mentorship of Actor's Studio member and teacher Elizabeth Kemp, who directs the work.

La Magnani is crafted from biographical and historical information, primarily available in Italian — the language is delicately woven throughout the text. The playwright "attempts to demystify the Magnani legend by identifying her artistry as symbolic of an Italian way of life."

Gambacorta "also seeks to promote a clear picture of a strong and gifted Italian woman at a time when television and films distort the Italian culture with a skewed vision of what it means to be Italian American."

The richness of Magnani's life is conveyed on an empty stage with only sound and lights to signify the shifts in time and place.

In addition to her work in New York theatre, Theresa Gambacorta has appeared in television commercials and independent film. She appeared in Italian director Marco Puccione's film, "Sell Your Body Now," which brought her the award for Best Actress at The Turin Film Festival.

La Magnani opens at The Gene Frankel Theatre (24 Bond Street between Lafayette and Bowery) on Nov. 14 and continues to Nov. 24. Sunday through Wednesday performances are at 8 PM. No Wednesday performance is given the first week. Tickets are $15. For reservations call Smart Tix at (212) 868-4444 or visit www.smarttix.com.