The solidarity of the New York Italian American community was once again proven by the recent success of a fundraising campaign to bring Brooklyn born Chiara Montalto’s play ‘A Brooklyn Love Story’ to the Los Angeles public. The play, which was originally called ‘Emergency Used Candles’, was a sell-out at New York City’s Emerging Artists Theatre: One Woman Standing Festival before being produced Off –Broadway at the Cherry Lane Theatre.

The talented Chiara, who is the production’s playwright, actress and producer, had a vision of seeing this insightful play on an LA stage and, together with arts and business consultant and associate producer Roberto Ragone, launched a campaign in the hope of raising the required funds. An integral part of this campaign was an August ‘Ferragosto’ fundraising party held at Umberto’s Italian Restaurant in Manhattan’s Little Italy which also turned into a joint celebration for Chiara’s birthday! The event was a success, as was the entire campaign, and Chiara’s dream turned into reality.

‘A Brooklyn Love Story’ premiered at Theatre 68 in Los Angeles on the 7^th September 2012 and is being directed by Ronnie Marmo (who plays Ronnie Dimestico on US TV Programme ‘General Hospital’). The play is also currently being developed into a feature film.

About the Story

What happens when a twenty-something Italian-American granddaughter moves in with her widowed eighty-something grandfather? Set in Bensonhurst, Brooklyn in the early 2000’s, A Brooklyn Love Story is the often hilarious and always touching true story of the relationship between Chiara, and her grandfather, Pop.  A Brooklyn Love Story is wrought with lots of laughter, hilarious love scenes, meatballs, and a ride around Brooklyn in a Buick Century that you will not soon forget. It is a profound tale about the effect a grandfather and a granddaughter have on each other, as one’s life is ending and the other’s is just beginning.

Chiara Montalto – (Playwright / Actor)  

Montalto has appeared in numerous NYC productions, including the 40th Anniversary production of Lanford Wilson’s Balm in Gilead, Does a Tiger Wear a Necktie?  and Joe Pintauro’s Metropolitan Operas.  She also appeared in an Italian language production of Pirandello’s La Giara

A Brooklyn Love Story runs from the 7^th September until the 6th October 2012, with performances on Friday and Saturday nights at 8:00PM and Sunday at 7:00PM. All performances will be held at Theatre 68 located at 5419 West Sunset Blvd. Los Angeles, CA. 90027.  Running time is 80 minutes with no intermission.  General admission: $25.00.

For more information on the company or Theatre 68 productions, please visit their website: www.theatre68.com. or www.chiaramontalto.com