There is a scene in the 1987 film Moonstruck, where Loretta (played by Cher in full Brooklyn accent) finds herself in bed, mortified, as she wakes up beside the brother of her fiancé (a rather brooding Nicolas Cage).
When he professes his love to her, she hauls back, slaps his face twice, hard, yelling, “Snap out of it!”
I kept wanting to yell out this same thing to the two male leads as I watched Italian American Reconciliation at Powerhouse Theatre Wednesday.
The play, written by John Patrick Shanley, who also wrote Moonstruck, follows two men’s attempt at relationships. And if you ask me, they are both pazzo when it comes to women. (Look that up in your Italian-English dictionary.)
Italian American Reconciliation follows the travails of one Huey Maximilian Bonfigliano (played by Trevor Howitt, who channels his inner Cage to play a just-as brooding character, with a pretty good Little Italy Brooklyn accent to boot.) He’s pining after his tough talking, gun toting ex-wife Janice (Erika Belsheim, who puts the Laverne in Shirley, if you know what I mean.) Huey is trying to reclaim his manhood –– yes, eye roll –– in trying to get his ex back, so he enlists his best buddy Aldo Scalicki to help him.
When this sweet-talking Guido, played in baby-faced bravado by the very talented Justin Kopy, isn’t confessing about a certain “predicament” directly to the audience, he’s out there trying to smooth things over with Huey’s girlfriend –– yes, the “douche” (their words) has a girlfriend –– Theresa (Breanne Volker, who puts the Shirley in Laverne…) She’s the sweet one, who is tough when she needs to be and is none too happy when she finds out Huey’s plans to reconcile with Janice.
Enter the only voice of reason in this whole, bloody mess. Aunt May (the wonderful Wendy Chambers), who has words for them all. Yep, you guessed it: “Snap out of it!” Well, it wasn’t in those exact words, but again you get the drift.
Although the male characters are likable enough, they really are pathetic. I mean do guys really wax this poetic about all this love stuff? Are they really this clueless? Yes, I really wanted to slap both their sweet faces –– and hard. Sorry guys, but I’m with Janice, even if she did kill Huey’s dog. Women aren’t stupid and they know when they are being duped.
It’s a tribute to the actors, and director Bev Steeves, for evoking an emotional response from the audience. So to you, I say brava! To Huey and Aldo, I say basta! The spotlight must also be shone on set designer Chris Bayne, set decorator Val Heuman, and all the crew on a really fantastic job. The diner and balcony looked so authentic, I’d consider you for home renovations.
Italian American Reconciliation continues at the Powerhouse Theatre until March 3. For tickets, dates and times, visit or call the Ticket Seller, 549-7469.
