Austin Pendleton directs rare revival of acclaimed play by John Patrick Shanley starring Mary Testa, Wade McCollum, Robert Farrior & more.
October 3
- 26 at The Flea
Austin Pendleton will direct a revival of John Patrick Shanley's ITALIAN AMERICAN RECONCILIATION beginning previews October 3, 2025 at The Flea in Tribeca.
In ITALIAN AMERICAN RECONCILIATION, Huey, enlisting the help of his best friend Aldo, seeks reconciliation with his ex-wife Janice, an intimidating force of nature. What follows is a passionate and tumultuous story of love, loss, and self-discovery in what the NY Times called an “operatic comic romance.”
The production stars Robert Farrior (Stolen Girl with Kate Beckinsale and Scott Eastwood, Oliver North in American Made with Tom Cruise, Babygirl with Nicole Kidman and Antonio Banderas), Mia Gentile (Kinky Boots on Broadway), Linda Manning (Perfect Love at Cherry Lane Theatre), Drama Desk and Lucille Lortel Award nominee Wade McCollum (Water For Elephants, Make Me Gorgeous, Floyd Collins, Wicked) and 3-time Tony Award nominee and Drama Desk Award winner Mary Testa (Oklahoma!, 42nd Street, On The Town, Queen of the Mist). The production team includes Scott Aronow (set), Annie Garrett-Larsen (lighting), Ariel Pellman (costumes), Walter Matteson (producer) and Ann Barkin (stage manager), with casting by Daryl Eisenberg of Eisenberg Casting.
ITALIAN AMERICAN RECONCILIATION runs October 3 - 26, Thursday & Friday at 7:30pm Saturday at 2pm & 7:30pm and Sunday at 5pm. The Flea is located at 20 Thomas St, New York, NY 10007. Tickets are $50, available HERE.
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Austin Pendleton is an actor, director, and playwright. He has acted in about 250 movies and appeared several times in such TV shows as HOMICIDE, OZ, and the different versions of LAW AND ORDER. Onstage in New York he has acted on Broadway (CHOIR BOY, at Manhattan Theatre Club; THE DIARY OF ANNE FRANK, with Natalie Portman; and as Motel the Tailor in the original cast of Fiddler on the Roof); off-Broadway (Obie winner for THE LAST SWEET DAYS OF ISAAC; ROSMERSHOLM, at Manhattan Theatre Club; UP FROM PARADISE, a musical by Arthur Miller and Stanley Silverman, at Jewish Rep; EDUCATING RITA, with Laurie Metcalf); and off-off Broadway (title roles in KING LEAR, HAMLET, RICHARD THE THIRD, RICHARD THE SECOND; new plays such as CITY GIRLS AND DESPERADOES, DRESS OF FIRE, CONSIDER THE LILIES). As a director he has been represented by the premiere productions of: A THOUSAND PINES, by Matthew Greene; BETWEEN RIVERSIDE AND CRAZY, by Stephen Adly Giurgis, which went on to win the Pulitzer Prize; FIFTY WORDS, by Michael Weller, with Elizabeth Marvel and Norbert Leo Butz; Chekhov productions at Classic Stage Company such as THREE SISTERS (for which he won the Obie, and which starred Maggie Gyllenhaal, Peter Sarsgaard, and Jessica Hecht), IVANOV, which starred Ethan Hawke, and UNCLE VANYA, with Mamie Gummer; A LOVELY SUNDAY FOR CREVE COEUR, by Tennessee Williams, with Kristine Nielsen and Annette O’Toole; WAR OF THE ROSES (Shakespeare, at HB Studio); HAMLET (also at CSC, with Peter Sarsgaard); THE LITTLE FOXES, on Broadway, with Elizabeth Taylor and Maureen Stapleton (five Tony nominations, one for direction and three for actors, including Ms. Taylor and Ms. Stapleton). He has written three plays: ORSON’S SHADOW (which ran off-Broadway for a year and was then done in London); UNCLE BOB, (which ran at the Mint Theatre in New York, and was then done in Paris, translated by Jean-Marie Besset), and BOOTH, which was done in New York starring Frank Langella. All of these plays have been published and have been done frequently around the United States. He has taught at HB since 1969.
John Patrick Shanley is an acclaimed American playwright, screenwriter, and director. Known for his compelling storytelling, sharp dialogue, and exploration of complex human relationships, Shanley has made a significant impact on the world of theater and film. Shanley's career began in the 1980s when his play "Danny and the Deep Blue Sea" gained critical acclaim and established him as a talented playwright. His subsequent works, including "Italian American Reconciliation" (1986) and "Savage in Limbo" (1984), further demonstrated his prowess for crafting thought-provoking and emotionally charged stories. In 1987, Shanley achieved widespread recognition with his play "Moonstruck". The romantic comedy earned an Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay. In addition to his success in theater and film, Shanley has also ventured into directing. He has helmed productions of his own plays as well as other works, showcasing his ability to bring his vision to life on stage. His directorial work includes the film adaptation of his play "Doubt" (2008), for which he received an Academy Award nomination for Best Director. Throughout his career, Shanley's work has been marked by his exploration of complex themes such as love, faith, and the human condition. He has received numerous awards and accolades for his contributions to the arts, including a Pulitzer Prize for Drama for "Doubt"(2005) and a Tony Award for Best Play for the same production. Through his work, he continues to inspire and provoke audiences, leaving a lasting legacy in the realm of storytelling.