KIT- Kairos Italy Theater, the Italian company in New York, presents two Italian masterpieces. The Mandrake Root (La Mandragola) by Niccolo’ Machiavelli, and three novels from the Decameron by Giovanni Boccaccio
Featuring: FRANCESCO ANDOLFI, GIULIA BISINELLA, CARLOTTA BRENTAN, MARIA DE COTIS, LENNY CIOTTI, AILEEN LANNI, JACOPO RAMPINI, IRENE TURRI. DIRECTED BY LAURA CAPARROTTI
**In English with some of the original Italian.
Note that the actors varied from run to run depending on availability.
KIT is the theater company in residence at Casa Italiana Zerilli-Marimo’ at NYU.
—
In 2013, KIT inaugurated a series of shows focused on highlighting the great tradition of Italian theater as re-interpreted by a younger generation, the YoungKIT. The productions feature only 6 actors, a handful of props and a few costumes, and Italian masterpieces translated into English – while retaining some elements of the original versions.
—
THE MANDRAKE ROOT (LA MANDRAGOLA)
Most likely written in 1518, “The Mandrake Root” is a satirical play by the author of “The Prince,” Niccolò Machiavelli. Young Callimaco arrives in Florence and learns of the extraordinary beauty of Lucrezia, a married woman. In order to win her over, he devises an intricate ruse to trick her husband, Nicia, with the help of a conniving accomplice, Ligurio, and a corrupt priest, Fra Timoteo.
—
THE DECAMERON
Boccaccio probably conceived “The Decameron,” a collection of novellas, after the epidemic of 1348, and completed it by 1353. This production features the three novels from “The Decameron” that especially inspired Machiavelli’s writing of “The Mandrake Root.”
—
“La Mandragola” is made possible in part by public funds from the Manhattan Community Arts Fund, supported by the New York City department of Cultural affairs in partnership with the City Council and administered by Lower Manhattan Cultural Council LMCC.net
Other contributions have been provided by Baroness Mariuccia Zerill-Marimo’.
The Decameron has been performed at Casa Italiana Zerilli-Marimo’ at NYU, at Bernie Wohl Center in NY, at the Embassy of Italy in DC, at St. John’s University in Baltimore, at Vassar College.
The Mandrake Root has been performed at Casa Italiana Zerilli-Marimo’ at NYU and at Bernie Wohl Center in NY, and at Vassar College (November 2016).