Dec. 5 – The story of Arturo Giovannitti – trade unionist, activist and Italian-American poet – has fascinated the Big Apple. The show, written in memory of the trade unionist – “The auto-da-fé of the walker” – sees a young Diego Florio interpret Arturo in a screenplay adapted and directed by Stefano Sabelli. The American tour of the show, which first played in the Lotus Theater of Ferrazzano (Campobasso), was a huge success. The title is a combination of two works by Giovannitti, “The Walker” and “Autodifesa”. Sponsored by the Molise Region and the Province of Campobasso, and organized by Silvana Mangione, the show narrates the story of the poet and trade unionist’s activity, especially in 1912 when he led the Bread and Roses textile workers strike in Lawrence, Massachusetts and was unjustly accused of the murder of a protester. Giovannitti spoke in perfect English in exciting self-defense, the monologue of which is the basis of the play, along with the poem “The Walker.” Diego Florio renders a wonderful interpretation in Italian and English of Giovannitti’s character, for which he was gratified by the standing ovation in each of the shows: City University of New York, Off Broadway; Yale University; Fiorello LaGuardia High School for the Performing Arts at Palisades High School in New Jersey; and Guglielmo Marconi of Italy School in New York who asked to double the shows.
