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To call Edmonton actor Farren Timoteo multitalented hardly does him justice.
He’s an actor, a powerhouse singer, a skilled writer, and an accomplished clown, and his solo show is carefully constructed to showcase all his abilities.
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Made in Italy, co-presented by Theatre Calgary and Alberta Theatre Projects, is a mashup of the classic immigrant story with an equally classic father and son conflict scenario.
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In 1970, Salvatore Mantini left his village in Italy to come to work on the railway in Jasper. He worked hard so he could buy a house and furniture before sending for his wife and son, but his wife died so it was his brother and sister-in-law who brought Francesco to Jasper. Salvatore tried to bring up his son as if they were still in Italy, which meant Francesco was teased and bullied for being an outsider, a resentment that continued to build until Francesco, in his early 20s, moved to Edmonton and changed his name to Frank Martin.
Timoteo is an amazing mimic so when he plays more than a dozen characters, he gives them all distinct vocal and physical mannerisms. To illustrate his quick change artistry, Timoteo treats the audience to a dinner hosted by his father telling a joke without a punch line, his uncle bragging about being the best garage door maker in Jasper, his aunt scolding her husband for drinking and talking too much, and a widowed neighbour complaining about her swollen leg. Francesco narrates the chaos for the audience, zipping between chairs, gliding effortlessly and quickly into each new persona. It’s just one hilarious example of Timoteo’s skill at impersonations.
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Salvatore was understandably proud to learn Francesco had a beautiful voice so he made the son sing Italian opera and church hymns wherever and whenever possible. This gives Timoteo the opportunity to sing opera in a rich tenor, switch into a pitch-perfect falsetto to cover the Bee Gees’ More Than a Woman, and eventually croon in grand Sinatra style as an Edmonton lounge singer.
Timoteo’s comic timing is impeccable. He can nail a punchline with the same dexterity as he executes a pratfall, and the play gives him ample opportunity to do both. When Francesco discovers the Rocky movies, he sees a way to get back at his tormentors, but that means he has to exercise his way from being a 97-pound weakling to an Italian stallion with fists of fury. This transformation, as well as a transformation into a disco king, provides Timoteo with the opportunity to strut his physical comedy skills, to the raucous delight of the audience.
When the Mantini family returns to Italy for a visit, Timoteo releases his inner clown as Francesco learns to wear tight new shirts and slacks and strut his newfound sexuality, but it’s when Francesco shows how he styles his hair for a night on the town back in Canada, that Timoteo really throws caution and decorum to the wind with riotous results.
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To illustrate his dramatic chops, Timoteo shows how Francesco’s petulance and anger create a rift between son and father. It’s one of several powerful and heart-wrenching moments in his tour de force performance.
Timoteo knows how to structure a solo show for maximum effect, allowing him to keep his audience royally entertained for two acts. His writing is as impressive as his performance.
Director Daryl Cloran uses the magnificent table that designer Cory Sincennes has given him. It’s like a stage upon a stage, and he has Timoteo up there dancing, exercising and crooning. Celeste English’s lighting highlights not only Timoteo but some important photos on the back wall. This is a production as slick and creative as it is functional.
Made in Italy is not just wildly entertaining but informative. You’ll learn how best to curse in Italian, which saints to call upon for specific needs, what pasta fagioli soup is, and why you should eat your salad at the end of a meal. You get to do it all and laugh for two hours, as the guest of the extraordinarily talented Farren Timoteo.
Made in Italy plays at the Martha Cohen Theatre until Nov. 11.
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