The Royale Dance Theatre at Artpark

 The "mad" scene.  Michelle Lucci, prima ballerina and
former student of the Royale Dance Academy with Eddie Myers

Act II of Giselle at Artpark  Jill Squitieri as Myrtha

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         It was the week after a major ballet company performed “Astarte” at Artpark that the Royale Dance Theatre was privileged to perform for an entire week.  Thrilled at the prospect of the invitation, I prepared the dancers and guest artists for a total of five productions.  Our guest artist from the Pennsylvania Ballet company thought I was crazy.  Five ballets in one week, and only three months to prepare?  Giselle and Swan Lake  were performed with prima ballerina Michelle Lucci in the leading roles.  Coppelia was performed with Beth Muerle as Swanhilda.   We did highlights of La Fille Mal Gardée and last but not least, The Psalms.  All productions were of excellent quality and well received, except The Psalms.  The atheists were furious.  They approved of the music and the dance, but the message?  How dare we?  During the ballet, I proclaimed that Jesus was the Lord of the Dance and that the Royale Dance Theatre was dedicating dance, music and drama for His Glory. 

      My name appeared on the front page of the community section of the news, criticizing me for my audacity to use theater for this proclamation.  Strange that no one objected to a presentation of a ballet elaborating incest between a father and son, but when a ballet glorifies God, we have no right.  I often sought the true purpose of the theater and especially dance until one Sunday when I heard the words, “All things were created by God for His Glory.”  Even the great founder of the Royal Danish Ballet, August Bournonville  was aware of this.  He often quoted that “The purpose of dance and the theater in general is to lift the soul and strengthen the spirit.” 

                The arts are a powerful tool for good or evil. Writers, directors, actors, film-makers and teachers of fine arts have a tremendous responsibility to use their God-given talents to bring joy, educate, entertain and to inspire.   

Deaf Culture on stage

     It was with great anticipation that I began studying sign language a Hilbert College last semester and it brought even greater joy to learn of the unique attributes of the Deaf culture.  It was like learning to speak Chinese and then communicating to the natives in China.  I actually spoke to deaf children who thought I too was deaf, and wonder of wonders, they understood me! My professor, Sister Conchetta LoPresti is a brilliant signer and assists at many events throughout Western New York and in fact throughout eh United States,    

     After viewing the amazing DVD's of St. Mary's school students performing their latest musicals, I was curious as to how they were taught and actually performed these entertaining shows.  

     Today I visited St. Mary’s School for the Deaf and spoke with the director of the arts program, the drama and dance teachers and met the principal and a few workers , all of whom were gracious and kind.  They explained – very patiently I might add – that training students with the inability to hear to perform in musicals was a mighty task yet brought about many advantages for their futures.  They promised to let me observe classes and thought perhaps I might be able to help in one way or another.

                So it’s back to the books and elegant hand gestures.  I’m writing down all the orders I usually give in class and memorizing every word I’ll be using for choreography.  Let’s hope I don’t slip in the highly volatile signs  of my Sicilian grandfather!  

Picture this - Sicily 1850 & Grandma Josephine

Vincenza leaving home

I started writing a script for a dance-drama that was years in the making.  It was suggested that I begin with writing a book instead which would be the base for the theater production.  Books take years, so instead, I wrote a series of short stories – all true – of both maternal and paternal grandparents –immigrants from Sicily, to acquaint my present and future family with the lives of those they never knew.  So here goes the introduction to book one…I’ll Tell You a Tale

Introduction: A little note to my grandchildren and their children’s children

Words help to bring people and places to life

 “Everyone’s life is a fairytale written by the hand of God”, H. A. Andersen ,and each tale is a story to be told for stories are works of art which reach into the heart of men, and like snowflakes, are all amazing, shining and completely unique. 

            Listen to the words and they will become a symphony.  Behold the vision and you will see a ballet, Look and a painted canvas will unfold.  You will smell the flower, taste the sfingi (Italian light as air donuts) and feel the fears and joys of children and adults of great courage.

            I will take you to Sicily where you will experience the earthquakes, ride the huge steamships to America, shove your way through Ellis Island  and hear the dynamite explosions of the of the subways. being built. In my series of books, we’ll travel through one hundred years of American history reliving the changing fashions, entertainment, the movies, the heroes  and even the wars which include your own family members.

            Sadly, when I see the faces of some of my students bored with life, I think I am walking among the living dead. Sometimes I too feel empty and weary, but then listen to a song by Louis Prima who sings, “I think to myself, what a wonderful world.”

This is why I wrote this  book for you,. The Lord has said to us, “You shall be radiant at what you see.  Your heart will throb and overflow.  I wish for you, the miraculous vision of faith of those who made it possible for you to live as a Christian in the greatest country on this earth.—America.