Photo courtesy of Adventure Theater. Adventure Theater's production of Strega Nona, with Tammy Roberts as Strega Nona and Chase Helton as Big Anthony.

Published on: Wednesday, May 13, 2009

By David Cannon, Sentinel Arts Critic

Currently at Adventure Theater is a delightful romp “Strega Nona,” which takes a number of well known plots and spices them up with a heavy Italian accent and classic vaudeville tomfoolery. The play is still a lot of fun as the wise old Strega Nona puts up with her young and not too bright hired help.

Everyone in the small Italian village loves the elderly and helpful Strega Nona, a cross between a good witch and a midwife with her vast knowledge of herbal folk remedies and occasional magical object. But Nona is not as young as she use to be and needs help around her house. 

It is when Nona puts up that help wanted sign that the trouble, and fun, begins. Between the rather dense newcomer Big Anthony and the impetuous baker’s daughter Bambolona, Strega Nona is going to require the patience of Job.

A little patience on the part of the audience is also good, as the Aron Accurso musical takes a little time to set up the situation and establish the main characters. Once we get all the pieces in place, the show takes off quite nicely.

The major theme of the show also seems to be patience. When people get into trouble here, and that usually means Big Anthony, it is because they want to dive right into the deep end of the pool before learning to properly swim. So we catch Anthony in female disguise in order to eavesdrop on a lesson and later using a magical ring before learning the proper spell which causes major problems at a local dance. 

The finale lifts a page out of the Sorcerer’s Apprentice, and includes the best visual gags. However, do not think walking broomsticks, Mickey Mouse, and water. Think Italian; think pasta.

The comedy may be broad but the show works because director Ray Cullom has everyone play it straight.  That includes Chase Helton making Big Anthony likeable even when his character walks right into trouble again.  That means Brittany Rose Baratz as Bambolona, learning to put up with all the distractions in her village, from her lazy father to bumbling Big Anthony to her silly girl friends. 

Most of all it means Tammy Roberts as Strega Nona, wisely seeing everything around her and calmly putting up with the shenanigans of others and cleaning up after them. Putting aside the hints of witchcraft surrounding her character, this Nona is the Grandmother figure we all wish we had, although it is not a good idea to play with her jewelry box. 

The remainder of the ensemble does well in a number of roles, and Joe B. Musumeci’s sets the proper mode and has a few surprises tucked away here and there. The music is melodic and well performed by the cast.   

While not a long sequence, the heart of this play is the Sorcerer’s Apprentice riff. It is always good for a laugh and it is a situation we can all relate to. Plus, for the children in the audience, pasta just is not that threatening, especially with Parmesan cheese. 

 “Strega Nona” continues at Adventure Theater through June 7. For more information, call (301) 634-2270 or go online to www.adventuretheatre.org.

3 stars