This is a fun two part interview with Frank Ferrante. The first half we talk about Frank’s Italian Roots. In the second half we talk about his career in acting specifically his one man show, “An Evening With Groucho.” FRANK FERRANTE (Actor/Writer) is the recipient of New York’s Theatre World Award for ‘Outstanding Debut,’ a New York Outer Critics Circle nomination, London’s Laurence Olivier Award nomination for ‘Comedy Performance of the Year,’ Washington D.C.’s Helen Hayes nomination and two Connecticut Critics Circle Awards. He was picked a ‘top ten’ theater performance by the Wall Street Journal in 2017 and in 2019 the Chicago Tribune picked him as a ‘top ten’ stage performance for his role in cirque’s Teatro ZinZanni. His New York, London and PBS performances in the title role in Groucho: A Life in Revue received not only acclaim from critics and audiences but from the Marx family. Ferrante was discovered by Groucho Marx’s son playwright Arthur Marx as a 22 year old drama student at USC performing An Evening With Groucho for a 1985 senior project. Arthur subsequently cast Frank to portray Groucho Marx for the heralded 1986-87 production of Arthur’s Groucho: A Life in Revue that played Off-Broadway at the Lucille Lortel Theatre for 254 performances. Ferrante, who was 23 at the time, portrayed legendary Groucho from age 15 to 85. Morrie Ryskind who co-wrote the Marx Brothers classic films Animal Crackers and A Night at the Opera and attended Ferrante’s USC show said, “Frank is the only actor aside from Groucho who delivered my lines as they were intended.” An Evening With Groucho Website An Evening With Groucho On Demand Also, you can check you local PBS schedule for An Evening With Groucho You can see Frank live in Chicago in Cabaret Zazou Podcast Click here to join our group on Facebook Video

Genealogy Journey with Peter and Gay Barbella  two crazy senior citizens decide to visit the birthplaces of their Italian ancestors. They plan a trip to Sperone, Sassano, Palo del Colle and Vasto, places that are far off the beaten track. They execute the plan (almost) flawlessly. On the way, they see magnificent sights, meet wonderful people and find a goldmine of genealogical information. This is the story of their thirteen day genealogical odyssey. Podcast Video woman from Sassano With the Tricaricos in Palo del Colle With cousin Angela Latanzi in Palo del Colle Which way Time to fly home The Park Hotel Montpellier. Pete and Gay Pellegrino Mascolo and Diego Sorice Making friends in Vasto. In the Museo del Cognome Don Otello in the back office of the mother church Bruna and Bepe; our hosts at Rifugiomare Previous Next Click here to join our group on Facebook Mentioned in this broadcast  

Fascinating interview with attorney and author Michael Fattorosi on how a rainy day in Positano led to his uncovering his ancestors in Lettere Campania.  Michael has done extensive research and has copied thousands of records from Lettere that he plans to release to the public.  Check out his site archiviodilettere.com.   And don’t forget the Book Podcast Click here to join our group on Facebook Video

Celia Milano began her research 20 years ago before the internet tools we have today. Listen to how she contacted family by letter. We also discuss her three books. I was born in New York City and raised in Yonkers, New York. I have several degrees, including an Associate Degree in Applied Science and Technology from Thomas A. Edison State College in Trenton, NJ, a Bachelor Degree in Business Administration from Georgian Court University in Lakewood, NJ and a Master of Science in Management from College of St. Elizabeth, Morristown, NJ. I attended college for over 20 years and one of the sisters at Georgian Court University called me “a lifer.” For over 30 years, I worked as a computer software engineer in the military and petroleum industries. I am retired and devote my time to researching my family tree. In my free time, I help guide people in writing their memoirs, as I feel it is the most precious gift to the family. I have written three books: Sicilian Family Adventures; Life’s Curves: When the Present Triggers the Past and Tuscany in July: An Adventure of a Lifetime. I am also on the board of directors for The Sicilian Project, a non-profit organization that offers free English instructional camps to the children in Sicily. The Sicilian Project is important to me because as a child, I was not allowed to learn the Sicilian dialect, as the thought at that time in New York was to be “Americanized.” The idea that Sicilian children will become bi-lingual and have a greater advantage in the world is very rewarding to me. Podcast Click here to join our group on Facebook Video

The story of Italian Immigration to Argentina is fascinating!  I had no idea when I started my research that Argentina had one of the largest Italian populations.   It is estimated today that there is at least 25 million Argentines with some Italian descent or roughly 62.% of the entire population.  Italians began arriving in Argentina in great numbers from 1857 to 1940, totaling 44.9% of the entire post-colonial immigrant population; more than from any other country (including Spain at 31.5%). In 1996, the population of Argentines with partial or full Italian descent numbered 15.8 million[3]when Argentina’s population was approximately 34.5 million, meaning they consisted of 45.5% of the population. Today, the country has 25 million Italian Argentines in a total population of 40 million. Wikipedia Argentines. Period Northwest Italy Northeastern and central Italy Southernand insular Italy Total 1880–1884 59.8% 16.8% 23.4% 106,953 1885–1889 45.3% 24.4% 30.3% 259,858 1890–1894 44.2% 20.7% 35.1% 151,249 1895–1899 32.3% 23.1% 44.6% 211,878 1900–1904 29.2% 19.6% 51.2% 232,746 1905–1909 26.9% 20.1% 53.0% 437,526 1910–1914 27.4% 18.2% 54.4% 355,913 1915–1919 32.3% 23.1% 44.6% 26,880 1920–1924 19.7% 27.4% 52.9% 306,928 1925–1929 14.4% 33.1% 52.5% 235,065 According to an article in Argentina Excepcion, there is no equivalent of a little Italy in Argentina, as the cultural influence is so strong.  Almost 3 million Italians arrived from 1857 through 1940, 45% of all aliens to arrive!  They were called “tanos” from Neapolitan.     The first wave of Italian Immigration to Argentina, like most other countries, was made up of mostly poor people.     And, as in America, Canada and Australia they worked hard , saved money and sent it back to Italy to bring over more family.  They shared rooms in big houses or tenements.  La Boca was a port neighborhood, initially for slaves, but was modified by Italian Immigrants, using mostly ship parts.  Today it is one of the most picturesque neighborhoods in Buenos Aires. La Boca Video By Eugenia Varas https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w72a195QpbI For anyone researching Italian/Argentine records, Italian Genealogy.com has a board.  There is also a site for Argentine Records, but they charge a fee. Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest