La Giara - The Water Jug
by Patricia Haddad
Music
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Script
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Score
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ABOUT
La Giara (the water jug), is a symbolic container of traditions in this musical narrative – and
when broken — animates the lives of three generations of women in one family. Water, mirrors and reSlection serve as metaphors throughout the story in the process of tragedy, illumination, and evolution of characters, as some break from the past and defy their own cultural norms, while others remain.
A story rooted both in the past, yet relevant today, La Giara is about longing for our past and the cultures from which we originate. Narrated by 5 family characters, along with Sicilian Water God, Anapos, whose commentary and timeless presence represents other- world realms and Sicilian culture, characters perform dramatic/comedic songs touching on the notion of family, human fragility and strength, illustrating psychological struggles of the Minissale family as they adapt in America.
Patricia Haddad’s auto-biographical music work addresses themes of immigration, oppression, mental illness, and sexism that her Sicilian family experienced in adapting to a new world. La Giara’s narrative and powerful music uplifts and offers meaning to women and the immigrant story, reaching audiences of all ages, ethnic, and socio-economic groups.
SYNOPSIS
When arrogant Nunzio Minissale cuts in the water line at his home-town fountain in Sicily, he breaks his aunt Vincenza’s heirloom jug-La Giara- and is blamed for creating a family schism. Consequently, the breaking of the jar unleashes Sicilian water spirit, Anapos, and a lifetime curse that follows a fleeing Nunzio from Sicily to America. Upon arriving in Philadelphia, Nunzio ironically encounters Vincenza’s daughter, Annunziata, falls in love, and persuades her to marry him. They go on to create a successful bridal business and family, even as Annunziata finds that she must endure Nunzio’s constant betrayals.
The family curse finally surfaces in full force when abusive Nunzio forbids their older daughter Norma’s star-crossed love. Impelled to run away, Norma devises a secret plan that ultimately diverts their family’s destiny. When sister Mimi discovers Norma’s intentions, she pleads to come, leaking the news to mother Annunziata who exclaims, “I’m coming, too!” The three women break away to Colorado and create their own successful business, while Nunzio hires a private detective to find his family. The three women find that severing from family traditions creates a familial void that has left them with a deep longing for their lost heritage; however, these courageous women realize that they have paved a brighter future for themselves, as well as their families to come.
Notes
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BREAKDOWN
MAJOR CHARACTERS:
Three women, three men. Suggested doubling of minor roles below.
- NARRATOR/ANAPOS: M/F, baritone/tenor/or alto. Age range: ageless. A Sicilian Water God/Goddess and Shadow Puppeteer. Satirical, playful, compassionate, ANAPOS is a Sicilian Water God/Goddess figure, unleashed in the breaking of the water jug, and the instigator of the family curse. ANAPOS is the main storyteller and ultimately plays a part in the family's healing. Performs shadow play, and minor roles of MARIO,BLUE-EYE, POLICEMAN, DINO and SERENADER as needed.
- NUNZIO MINISSALE: M, Bass Baritone. Age range 18-70’s. Maria’s son, father to Norma and Mimi. The one who breaks the water jug, the impetus that drives the story. A moody, precocious, rascal who outgrows his Sicilian village and makes his way to America. Handsome, and charming, yet vulnerable, lonely, and explosive, marries Annunziata and becomes a tyrant. The so-called villain of the story.
- ANNUNZIATA PICCIONE F, Legit Soprano. Age range 20’s-70’s. Vincenza’s daughter, mother to Norma and Mimi. Talented, ambitious, and levelheaded Annunziata is wooed by Nunzio. When betrayed by Nunzio, she finds her own independence. Can also play MARIA and other small roles.
- NORMA MINISSALE F, Belt Soprano. Age range 20’s-40’s. Annunziata & Nunzio’s disobedient daughter. Flirtatious and reckless, Norma breaks from family tradition and is the instigator of the family women’s “runaway” plan; she never gives into her father’s dominance and is the only character who creates a brighter future for herself. Can also play VINCENZA and other small roles.
- MIMI MINISSALE, F, Legit Soprano. Age range 20’s-40’s. Annunziata & Nunzio’s obedient daughter. The beauty of the two daughters, Mimi is cultured, coy and obedient; lives her tragic life catering to her parents in their dark, lonely mansion, robbed of any love relationships. The one most damaged by the “water jug curse.” Can also play NICOLE.
- ALFREDO/EUGENE COHEN, M, Tenor. Age range 20’s. ALFREDO is Nunzio’s cousin, already living in America when Nunzio arrives. The same actor doubles as EUGENE, Norma’s Jewish boyfriend, and a violinist. When harassed by Nunzio about NORMA’S whereabouts, a guilty Eugene divulges their secret. This actor can also play ANTONIO and additional small roles.
MINOR CHARACTERS to be doubled by principal actors, or played by the musicians or an ensemble of actors who are strong singers.
MALE DOUBLE #1: ANTONIO, ALFREDO,STREET GUY, SHADOW PERFORMER
MALE DOUBLE #2: SERENADER, SHADOW PERFORMER
FEMALE DOUBLE #1: VINCENZA PICCIONE (ANNUNZIATA’s mother), STREET GAL, SHOP PERSON
MUSIC & INSTRUMENTATION
The musical style of LA GIARA is a combination of Puccini-like melodies, Jazz harmonies, Gilbert and Sullivan style lyrics and Brazilian rhythms. Vocalists perform a mix of operatic, musical theater, and jazz approaches.
Instrumentation can be as simple as piano accompaniment, or an ensemble of piano, bass, guitar, accordion, mandolin, percussion and clarinet.
Musicians can also participate on stage as minor characters.
VISUALS/SET DESIGN/SOUND
La Giara lends itself to either a traditional or a contemporized theatricalization, with opportunity to use Shadow play or puppetry, choreography, and video projection for creative teams to collaborate.
For the main visual treatment of the production, video projection of historical photos of Philadelphia, Sicily, the mansion, real life characters, and old black and white footage can all help to illustrate location and time period. Abstract visuals enhance theatricalization and song performances. Visuals used in previous readings and productions minasmusic.com/la-giara (link to photos used in prior productions)
A stark unit set with five levels can accomplish the numerous settings well. A smaller moveable framed unit can serve as the dress shop, a train. Fabrics, mirrors, etc. can be used throughout to represent water imagery and water’s symbolism in the story. Sound cues such as moving water or the sound of sewing machines can augment the overall sound tapestry of the piece.
SHADOW PLAY/PUPPETRY
Puppetry is reminiscent of Sicilian culture and can bring a playful, surreal element to naturalistic scenes, and to explore other realms or bigger than life characters such as gods, or Nunzio.
PRODUCTION HISTORY
LA GIARA has been performed four times as a narrated concert production with visual projections to full houses in Philadelphia, PA,at World Cafe Live (2014, 2017, 2019), and The International House of Philadelphia 2015.
Isn’t It Love was voted “Best Love Song” by New York’s York Theater in 2019.
LA GIARA was invited to present two songs in a “New Musical Works” event created by Carol De Giere with Stephen Schwartz in 2019.
*LA GIARA TIME LINE and AGE REFERENCE
1894 - NUNZIO - born 1894, 1896 - ANNUNZIATA born
1912- NUNZIO Arrives in Philadelphia (18 years old)
1915 - NUNZIO'S parents, VINCENZA, ANNUNZIATA Arrive, Nunzio and Annunziata meet
ANNUNZIATA -19 yrs NUNZIO -21yrs.
1917 - NUNZIO proposes to ANNUNZIATA
1918 - NUNZIO and ANNUNZIATA ENGAGED
1919 - NUNZIO and ANNUNZIATA MARRY
1921 - MIMI born
ANNUNZIATA 25 yrs., NUNZIO 27 yrs.
1923 - NORMA born
1941 - CHEZ SHOP
MIMI - 20 yrs., NORMA 18 yrs. NUNZIO - 47, ANNUNZIATA - 45
(CHEZ MARIE, BROKEN PROMISES, MR. EVIL)
1941 - 1943 - ESCAPE - 2 YEARS.
1944 - NUNZIO FINDS FAMILY
1945 - JOHN KING AND NORMA MEET AT THE MANSION
MIMI - 24 yrs., NORMA 22 yrs. NUNZIO - 51 ANNUNZIATA - 49
(DENVER MANSION, NORMA MARRIES, WATER)
MID 1950’S
MIMI - 39 yrs., NORMA 37 yrs. NUNZIO - 66, ANNUNZIATA - 64
ANNUNZIATA AND NUZIO are grandparents. Norma visits Denver
(PINCH)
MID 1960’S
(MIMI - 49 yrs., NORMA 47yrs. NUNZIO - 76, ANNUNZIATA - 74
(SHOP CLOSED. STITCHES)
MID 1990s (30 YRS. LATER)
MIMI - 70 -DECEASED., NORMA 77yrs. NUNZIO - DECEASED 106, ANNUNZIATA - DECEASED - 104 - GREAT GRANDDAUGHTER NICOLE - BORN 1970 (20yrs)
(ISN’T IT LOVE, LONGING)
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Patricia Haddad grew up singing and dancing in professional musical theater, studying voice, piano, jazz, and composition, earning degrees in Classical voice and jazz piano performance. A proliSic writer, Patricia, along with partner, Orlando Haddad, have written and produced 8 albums. Patricia’s book, La Giara (The Water Jug), based on her family’s immigration story, inspired La Giara’s 2 act musical of 14 memorable songs.