Holy Stromboli
John and Maria are happily celebrating their first wedding anniversary when Maria's mother, Nicolette, shows up unexpectedly. Nicolette announces that she is divorcing Maria's father, Sal, because he forgot their 27th wedding anniversary. And if that isn't enough to ruin John and Maria's celebration, Sal pays a visit. A fight breaks out, and one thing leads to another until, eventually, Sal and John end up sleeping in the guest room. This leaves Maria no other choice but to share a bed with her talkative mother. To save his sanity and his own marriage, John solicits help from his friend, Anthony, and concocts a plan to reunite the older couple by arranging a fabulous anniversary dinner. However, just when things are looking up, John's recently divorced father makes a surprise visit with his new, much younger wife to meet their new grandson. The only problem is that John and Maria don't have a baby! But with the help of a toy dinosaur and a puppy, the phantom baby makes an appearance. This is the perfect play for an evening of hilarious door slams, witty banter and ageless romance. (Meet these characters in the prequel, "Holy Cannoli.")
Productions
Behind The Scenes
PLAYWRIGHT JOHN D. SMITHERMAN
TALKS ABOUT "HOLY STROMBOLI"
Q: WHAT INSPIRED YOU TO WRITE THIS PLAY?
A: I had so many favorable responses to "Holy Cannoli" that I thought I would write another play using most of the same characters.
Q: WHAT'S YOUR FAVORITE PART OR LINE IN THE PLAY? WHY?
A: I like the dinner sequence with Sal trying to be romantic.
Q: WHERE DO THE CHARACTERS COME FROM? ARE THEY BASED ON PEOPLE YOU KNOW?
A: I like to observe people. Some of the characters' names are of friends and family of mine, but they are not entirely like the people that they're named after. My favorite character is, probably, Sal, but John is a close second.
Q: WHAT DID YOU TRY TO ACHIEVE WITH THIS PLAY?
A: I wanted to achieve another fun-filled evening that the whole family could enjoy together.
Q: ANYTHING ELSE YOU'D LIKE TO SAY ABOUT IT?
A: I hope I get as many wonderful responses from casts, directors, and producers as I did with "Holy Cannoli" and that they enjoy working on the show and having success with it at their theatres.