"A heartfelt love letter to Italian culture and heritage. Farren Timoteo carefully balances his robust, enthusiastic performance with a poignant dramatic conclusion that hits home."

I couldn't help thinking of the song 'Be Italian' from the musical 'Nine' while entering the CAA Theatre for the opening performance. The following song lyrics struck a chord in me:

"Be Italian, be Italian
Live today as if it may become your last."

Timoteo's fine solo work in this coming-of-age script deals with the importance of living life to its fullest.

Over the motif of a full-course Italian dinner, Timoteo plays a multitude of characters from an immigrant Italian family living in Jasper, Alberta. The time is the 1970s. The story focuses on teenager Francesco. At first, he becomes embarrassed over his father's, Salvatore's, way of living his Italian heritage in all he does, down to how he thinks and his thickly accented speech.

A widower, Salvatore does everything he can to ensure that Francesco proudly lives his Italian heritage and culture. That means the boy wears a suit to school daily and packs smelly cheeses in his lunch. Francesco sings beautifully, and Salvatore wants his son to sing publicly whenever possible.

Naturally, Francesco gets bullied at school. Inspired by the first 'Rocky' film in 1976, Francesco learns to fight back.

The show's running time is two hours plus. Thankfully, there is an intermission for Farren Timoteo to pause and rest. He plays various roles, ranging from one of the Catholic saints on the wall to his immediate family members, from the hypochondriac aunt to her husband, who typically drinks too much at the weekly family dinner get-together. In the second act, the story briefly shifts back and forth between Edmonton and Jasper. Francesco and his friends try their luck in winning a contest at the local CTV station in Edmonton.

Cory Sincennes' set design of the darkened museum-piece dining room containing the large rectangular oak table is impressive. It's sturdy enough as Timoteo delivers some of his sprightly performance on top of the table, from regular to one-handed push-ups. Cindy Wiebe's costume designs from the 1970s are first-rate recreations of the era. The 'Saturday Night Fever' John Travolta look is terrific. Wiebe's costumes duly allow Timoteo to perform choreographer Laura Krewski's disco moves with aplomb.

Celeste English's Lighting and Mishelle Cuttler's Sound Designs collaboration remain primo throughout for the most part. I have a slight quibble regarding sound and Bex Tralli's audio. There is one moment when Timoteo is on top of the table and lying on his back. From my seat, I couldn't hear everything that he said, and I lost a bit of the set-up for the next comical moment that occurred a short time later.

Daryl Cloran directs the production with a secure hand. Timoteo delivers a robust and enthusiastic performance. He often manoeuvres around the stage with lightning speed one minute and dexterous agility the next. Comic moments abound. One occurs at the top of Act 2 as Francesco prepares to go to a discotheque (remember those?) That moment brings the house down with tremendous laughter throughout the CAA Theatre.

There is one moment when Salvatore and Francesco have been estranged in their relationship for a couple of years. I don't want to spoil why they have not spoken, but it's understandable why the two characters have wisely gone their separate ways for a while.

The separation and what occurs next come full circle at the end of the play. Timoteo says he can't have the play conclude on a sad note. What happens at the end becomes poignantly human about the realities of life (and a reminder of the last line from 'Be Italian').

Timoteo plays these characters as very real people. He's also a hell of a singer.

That's good enough for me to recommend 'Made in Italy.'

Running time: approximately two hours and ten minutes with one interval/intermission.

'Made in Italy' runs until June 15 at the CAA Theatre, 651 Yonge Street, Toronto. For tickets, mirvish.com or call (1-800-461-3333)

A MARQUIS ENTERTAINMENT INC. PRODUCTION in association with the CITADEL THEATRE presents

'Made in Italy,' created by Farren Timoteo
Directed by Daryl Cloran
Choreography by Laura Krewski
Set Designer: Cory Sincennes
Costume Designer: Cindy Wiebe
Lighting Designer: Celest English
Sound Designer: Mishelle Cuttler
Audio Consultant: Bex Tralli
Stage Manager: Christine Leroux
Technical Director: Andrei Mazuruc
Produced by Robert Richardson and Colin Rivers
Executive Producers: Daryl Cloran and Farren Timoteo

Performer: Farren Timoteo. Alternate: Daniel Curalli