The Sisters, The Grove, The Flock
The D'Alessandro Trilogy
WHIRLIGIG STAGE in collaboration with THE DEPOT THEATRE presented a reading of the D'Assandro Family Trilogy co-written by Mary Miller and Michael LaPolla on Sunday, October 27, 2024, in the Beckett Theatre at Theatre 68 Arts Complex, 5112 Lankershim Blvd., North Hollywood, CA, 91601
The D'Alessandro Family Trilogy, inspired by the works of Anton Chekhov, follows three generations of the D’Alessandro Family, an Italian-Jewish family forced to flee Italy prior to World War II and the rise of Mussolini. While the plays are set in the past, they address the contemporary threat of violence and oppression from the rise of nationalist populism in the United States and throughout Europe today. Each play is written to either stand alone or be played together in repertory.
THE SISTERS
Our story begins in New York City from the spring of 1947 to early autumn. Prior to the outbreak of World War II, the D’Alessandro family: Andrea D’Alessandro and his three beautiful sisters: Ornella, Marta, and Arena, leave the fascist and anti-Semitic climate in Italy for the safety of America. Settling in a tenement apartment in Manhattan’s Lower East Side, they must find a way to let go of their past, as they struggle to navigate an uncertain future. The story delves into a topic not many people are familiar with. 150,000 Italian Jews were sent to Auschwitz when Mussolini joined forces with Hitler. The Sisters is the first of three multi-generational plays.
THE GROVE
The Grove, the second play, follows the life of Marta D’Alessandro (the middle sister), her marriage to Vito, and their children, Luca and Arena in 1983, in Fairfield County, Connecticut. A time when AIDS was just beginning to threaten the lives of many young men.
THE FLOCK
Our third play, The Flock, concludes the story of D’Alessandro family in Connecticut, in 2005 through Marta’s and Vito’s only grandchild, Antonio (Arena's son) as he struggles to come to terms with his family's history and his place in the story.
On October 27, 2024, a total of seventeen actors brought these stories to life including: Iaeli Anselmo (Home Sweet Home, Raine), Sorel Carradine (The Happy Sad, The Good Doctor), Sally Conway, Joanna Going (House of Cards, Kingdom), Meeghan Holaway (Holidate, Criminal Minds), Judith Scarpone (B'way: Twilight of the Golds, Law and Order). Frank DeCaro, John Garofolo, and Mary O'Leary (Emmy-winning producer) were moderators and led the post discussion.
People are Talking
"To the cast and creative team of The Sisters after a very well-received reading and talk back (which I moderated) in NoHO. Beautifully written and acted. Tutti bravi!!!" Frank DeCaro - American writer, performer, radio host, influencer.