Last winter, part of the proceeds from a performance of the musical "Sweet Charity" at Rome's Teatro Sistina went to the Community Association "Il Carro" onlus, thanks to the dedication of some friends and volunteers.
Saturday, January 13, at the Teatro Sistina: what a beautiful afternoon it was! We'll remember it for years to come. Anna, who is three, still tells everyone that "Lorella Cuccarini" is her friend!!!
To get to the theater—the real one, the grand one—we decided to take the metro, braving the chaos of the first day of winter sales downtown, the challenge of climbing the escalators while standing without falling, managing to hold the children and young people close as we waited for the train. Mimmo, thrilled by this choice, imitated the sound of the doors opening at every stop during the ride, drawing smiles and looks from the other passengers.
The moment we arrived, we knew this would be something special. There was magic in the air: so many people, visitors from near and far, old friends and new ones gathered in one place, everyone in the foyer—and out on the street—happy to see us and eager to help. Children were unwrapping little gifts of chocolates they'd been given at the entrance.
Like VIPs, we had reserved seats. After the delightful show—full of dancing, singing, and laughter—Stefano, Anna, and I brought flowers to sweet Valentine, the lead character brilliantly played by Lorella Cuccarini.
Lorella came forward to meet us, taking Anna in her arms and freeing me to help Stefano with those steep steps that had no railing.
Stefano gave her the flowers and said thank you, thank you. As Lorella took them, she embraced and kissed Stefano, asking if he had enjoyed the show. Stefano, moved, answered her questions gently. That tender, spontaneous embrace touched me deeply. I felt its authenticity—and in that embrace, all of us from the community were there. My fear that Stefano might stumble or say something unclear melted away in an instant. Lorella had danced and sung for nearly two hours, and she could have gone straight to her dressing room to rest. Instead, she took Anna by the hand and walked to center stage to thank everyone for the opportunity to meet us and to help us.
It was truly a beautiful day: thank you, Lorella. Thank you to the whole company at La Rancia. And our deepest gratitude to everyone who made this possible.
Ivana Perri, 2007
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