Cincinnati Playhouse Presents I LOVED, I LOST, I MADE SPAGHETTI, Beginning Tonight

The mouth-watering new comedy I LOVED, I LOST, I MADE SPAGHETTI opens the Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park's 2014-15 Thompson Shelterhouse Theatre season. Adapted by Jacques Lamarre from the 2009 memoir by Giulia Melucci, the show dishes up a hilarious account of good food and bad boyfriends.

For Giulia, a new date is the perfect opportunity to show off her Italian home cooking. Unfortunately, her superior tasting cuisine far surpasses her inferior taste in men. Melucci's book, which intersperses recipes with stories drawn from her unlucky-in-love life, has been described as a foodie's dream version of Sex in the City. The play takes this combination of food and storytelling one step further. A very limited number of people who see the production each night will enjoy a three-course, gourmet spaghetti dinner made from scratch as part of the show.

The world premiere of I LOVED, I LOST, I MADE SPAGHETTI was produced by TheaterWorks in Hartford, Connecticut, in 2012 and directed by Rob Ruggiero, TheaterWork's producing artistic director. Ruggiero also helms the Playhouse production; his previous work at the Playhouse includes Tigers Be Still, High, Last Train to Nibroc and Ella.

The one-woman show features Antoinette LaVecchia, a versatile Broadway actress who makes her Playhouse debut and who has earned raves in all previous productions of I LOVED, I LOST, I MADE SPAGHETTI. (The New York Times said LaVecchia "connects instantly with the audience, and she makes Giulia utterly irresistible.") LaVecchia has appeared in The View from the Bridge on Broadway; other New York credits include String of Pearls, How to Be A Good Italian Daughter (in Spite of Myself), Magic Hands Freddy and The Bottle House.

Melucci has nothing but praise for LaVecchia. "I have gotten to know Antoinette, and I adore her, and she me, I hope," Melucci says. "I am amazed by what she does on stage night after night. It's a true high wire act, and it's a profound act of generosity."

In addition to Ruggiero, the creative team includes associate director Nick Eilerman, set designer John Coyne, costume designer Alejo Vietti, lighting designer John Lasiter and sound designer Alexandra Wahl. Andrea L. Shell is the stage manager.

I LOVED, I LOST, I MADE SPAGHETTI is sponsored by Digi and Mike Schueler. Stable Two Financial, LLC, is the design sponsor.

Ticket prices for I LOVED, I LOST, I MADE SPAGHETTI start at $30. Prices are subject to change, and patrons are encouraged to buy early for the best seats at the best prices. Teen and student tickets are $30 each. The show is recommended for adults and older teenage audiences.

New for the 2014-15 season is Sunday College Night, with tickets to all 7 p.m. Sunday performances (not including A Christmas Carol) priced at just $10 with a valid student ID. Student tickets are just $15 on the day of the show for all other performances.

Onstage dinner seating for I LOVED, I LOST, I MADE SPAGHETTI is very limited and subject to availability. Dinner includes antipasto, salad, wine and made-from-scratch spaghetti. Dinners are priced at $35 each with a Center Section show ticket. Patrons with show tickets in Side A or Side B seating will need to pay the upgrade to the Center Section in addition to the $35 dinner price. Any subsequent ticket exchanges cannot be guaranteed dinner availability on new dates.

Previews for I LOVED, I LOST, I MADE SPAGHETTI are at 8 p.m. tonight, Sept. 27; 7 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 28; 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 30; and 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 1. The official opening night is Thursday, Oct. 2, at 8 p.m.

Performances take place at 7:30 p.m. Tuesdays and Wednesdays, 8 p.m. Thursdays and Fridays, 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. Saturdays, and 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. Sundays.

Special events include a free Perspectives lecture and book signing at the Playhouse with author Giulia Melucci, which will follow the 2 p.m. performance on Saturday, Oct. 4. Playhouse Perspectives is made possible by a gift from Roderick and Barbara Barr.

Additionally, free Meet the Artists programs that allow audiences to interact with the cast and others associated with the production will be held after the following performances: 2 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 5; 2 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 12; 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 15; and 8 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 23.

The Playhouse is fully accessible. Audio enhancement receivers, large print programs and complete wheelchair access are available.
Tickets to I LOVED, I LOST, I MADE SPAGHETTI are on sale now. For more information, call the Playhouse Box Office at 513-421-3888 (toll-free in Ohio, Kentucky and Indiana at 800-582-3208) or visit www.cincyplay.com. Call 513-345-2248 for Telecommunications Device for the Deaf accessibility.