Among local entertainment circles, they’re known as the von Trapps of Scarborough. Anthony Barrasso settled his family in town 20 years ago. For 16 years he’s run Anthony’s Italian Kitchen on Middle Street in Portland, offering pizza, sandwiches and other Italian food. Food is ordered at the counter, available for eat-in or take-out.
For years, family members performed in musicals at local theaters and were voice students of Reggie and Gloria Bonnin.
Eventually, Anthony envisioned a Broadway dinner theater. His children were now grown adults working with him in the business. Among them was plenty of talent to go around, plus a pipeline of young talent – his grandchildren – were coming of age, as well.
Under the direction of Reggie Bonnin, the dinner theater started. Bonnin, a teacher at Waynflete school in Portland, tapped into the high school talent. Students were happy to perform for tips. When the high school students went off to college, the decision was made to go professional. Musical director Michael Donovan was hired one year ago, and paid performers replaced the high school students.
The announcement of an extraordinary fundraising gift came from the pulpit. Anthony Barrasso would bring his Broadway dinner theater to St. Maximilian Kolbe church on Sunday, Sept. 23, from 2-5 p.m. A full Italian buffet dinner of stuffed shells, meatballs, chicken cacciatore, garden salad, rolls and butter would be cooked, served and donated by the family. His full cast of professional performers would donate their time singing a Broadway tribute to Andrew Lloyd Webber, and raffle prizes of Broadway memorabilia, CDs and gift certificates donated by the family would be offered. All proceeds, including a cash bar, would be donated to the church.
Help was needed to sell tickets and promote the event. At last, I thought, a fundraiser that I can get excited about – not the same old gift wrap, magazines, candles and chocolates. I bought tickets for my family. I was also asked to help promote the event and sell raffle tickets at the door. To sell something, I have to know what I’m selling. I decided to go to Anthony’s Italian Kitchen for lunch. I made my way to the lower level of 151 Middle St. A long line formed at the counter, and friendly family members filled orders. I ordered lunch and sat down at the self-service table. The room was filled with photo collages of different Broadway shows that had been performed locally: “The Wizard of Oz,” “Titanic,” “Camelot,” “The King and I” and “Sound of Music,” to name just a few.
“A member of my family has starred in each one of these productions,” Anthony said. It was busy, and Anthony was needed in the kitchen. “Come here Friday night,” he said. “The curtain will be drawn, the lights dimmed, elegant tables will be set. The place will be transformed into an intimate Broadway theater. You’ll have to experience it to believe it.”
Indeed, Friday was an extraordinary evening. Shown to our table by Anthony, who greeted all his guests, he soon took center stage, singing the “Prologue” from “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat.” Throughout the evening, different courses arrived, as performers sang Andrew Lloyd Webber’s “Don’t Cry for Me, Argentina” from “Evita,” “Memory” from “Cats,” “The Music of the Night” from “The Phantom of the Opera,” “I Don’t Know How to Love Him” from “Jesus Christ Superstar” and so much more. Anthony’s son, Mark, engaged the intimate crowd singing “Pharoah’s Song,” also from “Joseph.” At the end of the evening, we learned that Mark had also prepared the five-course meal.
“What you saw tonight”, said Anthony, “is the show that we’ll do at St. Maximilian Kolbe.”
It’s amazing what can be done when you put your heart and soul into something. Too often we settle for ordinary, avoiding the possibilities of extraordinary. Come Sunday, the parish hall at St. Maximilian Kolbe will be transformed for an extraordinary event. Tickets are $25/person, or a family of five for $100. Stop into the parish office at St. Maximilian Kolbe by Friday 4:30 p.m. to purchase tickets.
Karen’s Corner Send questions/comments to the editors.
