For Joe Canuso, this year’s Philadelphia Fringe Festival is as much about family as it is about theater.
The South Philadelphia theater veteran and founder and former artistic director of Theatre Exile will present “The Sicilian Dilemma,” a solo performance about his Sicilian grandfather, while two younger generations of his family also take part in Fringe productions. All three grew up in South Philly.
His daughter, Nichole Canuso, will premiere “Lunar Retreat,” an interactive, multisensory performance at the Leonard Pearlstein Gallery. Nichole’s daughter, Sigh C.K., will perform with her mother and also appear in M.K. Tuomanen’s “Dickie Dickie Dicky Donnie” at the Asian Arts Initiative.
“I am proud to be one of three generations of Canusos performing in the Fringe Festival this year,” Joe Canuso said.
“The Sicilian Dilemma,” written and performed by Canuso and directed by Gianna Lozzi, explores his identity through stories of his childhood and his relationship with a Sicilian grandfather who moved to the United States in 1914. The production also features live music by Philadelphia musician and composer Chris Sannino, along with video.
“The show is about identity,” Canuso said. “Using stories of my childhood growing up with a Sicilian grandfather who emigrated to America in 1914, I explore the prism through which I see myself today.”
Canuso describes his grandfather as a complex figure who lived a life filled with mystery and adventure but was not necessarily the man he initially appeared to be. And for South Philadelphia audiences, the story may have a familiar ring.
“The story is extremely relatable to South Philly natives,” said Lozzi, former artistic director of Raw Street Productions. “But also one that invites connections with anyone who has sought a deeper understanding of their family history.”
Sannino said the production takes audiences on a journey between Philadelphia and Sicily while examining the search for cultural identity.
“We’re taking everyone from South Philly to Sicily and back,” Sannino said. “But Joe’s story hits home for anyone who ever searched for cultural identity.”
The production examines questions of how people define themselves, whom they choose to emulate and how culture shapes identity.
“The Sicilian Dilemma” will have a pay-what-you-can preview at 7 p.m. Sept. 7, followed by performances Sept. 8-12 at The Parlor, also known as Headlong Dance Studio, 1170 S. Broad St.
Tickets are $25 for general admission and $20 for students. Tickets are available through the Fringe box office or by calling 215-413-1318. The venue is not handicap accessible.
The Philadelphia Fringe Festival, presented by FringeArts, runs throughout September at venues across the city, featuring hundreds of independently produced performances and other contemporary arts events.
You can catch Nichole Canuso in “Lunar Retreat” Sept. 10-20 at the Leonard Pearlstein Gallery at 3401 Filbert St. in University City. Sigh C.K. will take part in “Dickie Dickie Dicky Donnie” Sept. 9-20 at the Asian Arts Initiative, 1219 Vine St.
Tickets for all shows are on sale through the Philadelphia Fringe Festival website at phillyfringe.org. ••
