“I LOVED, I LOST, I MADE SPAGHETTI” A DELIGHTFUL TREAT

                Photo by Lanny Nagler of Antoinette LaVecchia as Giulia

                           NOW EXTENDED THROUGH JULY 14!!!

Sexy, sassy and a sensational chef, Giulia Melucci has a lot more success in the kitchen than in the bedroom and she’d like to be at the top of her game in both locales.  While her recipes inspire grown men to cry with gustatory delight, she’d prefer they be panting with promises of everlasting love. 

Come meet Giulia in the truly charming and delicious world premiere comedy, “I Loved, I Lost, I Made Spaghetti,” being showcased until Sunday, July 8 at TheaterWorks of Hartford.  Caution, don’t come hungry unless you’re lucky enough to score one of the select coveted cabaret tables that come complete with wine and pasta `a la Giulia.

Jacques Lamarre has cleverly adapted the memoirs of Giulia Melucci and fashioned her story into a fast paced race through all the men who were fortunate enough “to mangia” at her Italian-American table.  Antoinette LaVecchia’s Giulia is adorable and gifted as the woman who wants to be loved, loved for her spaghetti and culinary skills, but even more so for herself and her personal qualities.

She will introduce you to the men in her life, who are destined to disappoint her, like Steve, Kit, Ethan and Marcus, men whom she is able to bring to startlingly vivid life through her vocal imitations of their conversations, in all their intriguing strangeness.

While Giulia prepares a gourmet meal, she chatters about the losers who start off being ideal but lose their flavor all too quickly in the harsh light of day.  Rob Ruggiero directs this tasty and delectable comedy with an affectionate passion, on a stylish set designed by John Coyne that allows Giulia to show off her considerable culinary skills. Sasha Wahl’s

sound and musical interludes are delightful as are John Lasiter’s clever lighting techniques.

For tickets ($50-63 or $76 for “kitchen seating”), call TheaterWorks, 233 Pearl Street, Hartford at 860-527-7838 or online at www.theaterworkshartford.org.  Performances are Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday at 7:30 p.m., Friday and Saturday at 8 p.m., with matinees Saturday and Sunday at 2:30 p.m.  Come early for the art gallery upstairs featuring the work of  Terry Donsen Feder.

Twirl a forkful of flavorful pasta as you contemplate the perils of the New York City dating scene, where you can starve surrounded by a banquet of male offerings.