The final encounter of On the Italian Stage for 2023 is dedicated to author Italo Calvino (1923-1985) on the centenary of his birth. Calvino’s immensely creative mind provided extraordinary stories that were so theatrical in nature that they were often put on stage as solo shows, plays, and story-telling presentations. From Il barone rampante to Palomar, from Il visconte dimezzato to Le città invisibili and Lezioni Americane, Calvino is a central figure in contemporary Italian theater. This encounter will explore the major productions based on his works to discover how (and why!) they were adapted for the stage.