Teatromania Presents WEEKEND WITH A KILLER at the Abingdon Theatre 4/3-18

Teatromania presents the world premiere of Nicola Saponaro's play Weekend with a Killer April 3 through 18 at the Abingdon Theatre (312 West 36th St., 2nd Floor). Translated from Italian by Maureen González, the play is directed by Vittorio Capotorto.

Weekend with a Killer is a romantic comedy with a dash of a Dame Agatha Christie crime novel. The two main characters He and She are from two very different stations of society. When they meet at the crossroads of life, each is faced with a decision that will irrevocably determine their futures.

The production stars Deirdre Brennan, Lucio Polosa and Louise Rheas. The production team includes Ron McIntyre (production coordinator, sound design and music arrangement), David Ogle (set and lighting design), and Bonnie Hilton (stage manager).

Teatromania is a not-for-profit organization directed by its founder Vittorio Capotorto. Since its foundation in 1999, Teatromania has staged shows from both the traditional Italian literature and the most promising contemporary playwrights in New York and Italy. For more information, visit www.teatromania.org.

Performances of Weekend with a Killer run April 3 - 18, Tuesday through Saturday at 8:00 pm and Saturday and Sunday at 3:00 pm at the Abingdon Theatre (312 West 36th St., 2nd Floor, between 8th and 9th Ave.; Subway: A/C/E to 34th). Tickets are $25 at www.SmartTix.com or (212) 868-4444.

Nicola Saponaro (Playwright) is one of the most performed Italian authors. He graduated in economics with honors. He participated in the foundation of both the "University Theatrical Center of Bari," of the Piccolo Teatro (Bari,) and the "Bari Teatro" Committee. He also co-founded the Apulian Public Theater, where he was President. In 1963 he won the Selezione Marzotto Award with the play I Girovaghi and in 1965 he won the Ugo Betti National Award. Furthermore, he has been awarded the Gold Medal of the President of the Italian Republic with the play La Traccia. His first success was at the Teatro Quirino (Rome) in 1970 with the play I Nuovi Pagani, staged by the Piccolo Teatro of Milan, one of the most recognized European theaters. Some of his other plays: Giorni di Lotta Con Di Vittorio, La Mafia Non Esiste, Rocco Scotellaro, La Bottega Dei Sogni, and Fedeltà.

Vittorio Capotorto (Artistic Director/Director) Before moving to New York City in 1997 from his native Italy, Vittorio Capotorto staged more than a hundred plays over the course of forty years. He was inspired by the celebrated Italian Maestro Eduardo De Filippo, with whom he worked as an assistant and actor. His theatrical experience, which began in the late 1950s, includes the founding and directing of theater companies in Italy, Sudan, and Argentina. His repertoire has ranged from Machiavelli to modern playwrights such as Jarry, Nicolaj, and Dario Fo; at the same time, his mission is to bring to the stage original unedited works by new playwrights, making use of the talents of young people in all aspects of production (e.g., dance, music, set and light design.) Upon arriving in NYC, he created the "Italian Theater Practicum" course which he taught at Columbia University (1998 to 2001) and Brooklyn College (2005). In addition to the plays staged for the Practicum both in NYC and Italy, Mr. Capotorto has staged in NYC English versions of: Pirandello's The Jar, Eduardo De Filippo's Long Legged Lies (Players Club,) Paolo Tartamella's The Busboy, Orlando in Love (Central Park,) and the Jazz Opera Philip Mazzei. He was the founder and Artistic Director of the International Festival "Orlando Innamorato" held in Italy in 2001.

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