Spettacolo

There’s nothing unusual about an Italian town filled with theater lovers, except that Monticchiello--"the town that plays itself"--is more like one big theater. Each year, the Tuscan village with a population of 136 puts on a play. They call themselves the Teatro Povero (aka Poor Theatre), and people come from miles around to see their performances, a tradition dating back to the 1940s. After decades of costume dramas, however, the townspeople decided to write their own plays, starting with the dramatization of a 1944 incident in which partisans won a stay of execution against fascists. The resulting drama helped them to exorcise long-buried demons, so each year they find new issues to work out on the piazza that serves as their stage. These include women’s rights, the shift away from an agrarian lifestyle, and the corruption of the financial sector--including the bank that sponsors their work. Over the course of four seasons, filmmakers Chris Shellen and Jeff Malmberg capture discussions, writing sessions, rehearsals, and performances, while also profiling the primary players behind the project, from dedicated director Andrea to founder Alpo, who passes away during the course of filming. As longtime member Arturo points out, "A third of us are dead! The future of the theater--just like always--is in the hands of the young." Unfortunately, however, fewer young people have been getting involved in recent years. Even Andrea’s son, who runs a B&B, believes the town’s future is in touristry. The situation further deteriorates when a play about gentrification divides the town, driving even some of the veteran players to drop out. By film’s end, it isn’t clear if the Poor Theatre will continue, but it has unquestionably made an indelible impact on Monticchiello. Recommended. Aud: C, P. (K. Fennessy)