Award winning performer Jaclyn DeVincentis returns to Chapel Off Chapel for the Melbourne debut of her latest work Prima Nonna. As the title would suggest this show is all about Nonnas – specifically, her Nonna Sera.
From the moment the audience enters the Chapel’s Loft performance space, it’s clear this is going to be an engaging show. A small table sits at one side of the stage, each item placed for a specific reason and explained as the show unfolds. A screen hangs at the back of the performance area, ready for a visual presentation. And then Jaclyn DeVincentis steps out wearing a dress covered with Italian references and singing something in Italian. My one year of learning Italian in year 7 back in 1980 has not paid off and I can only pick a few words here and there. But it doesn’t matter. The Italian scene as now been set.
Jaclyn DeVincentis takes us through the story of her Nonna Sera’s life, from her early days through to being the 90 year old Matriarch who’ll outlive them all and still ruling the roost as the Prima Nonna. It’s part story telling, part comedy routine and part powerhouse diva concert.
Jaclyn DeVincentis is the ultimate all round entertainer. She’s a gifted story teller and just a night of her sharing her family tales would have made for an enjoyable evening. She also has impeccable comedic timing and just a full stand up comedy routine would have worked. She’s a powerhouse vocalist and could just give a concert of diva songs. Each element is good by itself, but when combined together makes for an extraordinary show that is both engaging and entertaining from the start to the end.
DeVincentis’ performance is smooth and polished, but it flows so naturally it’s impossible to tell where the rehearsed moments end and the spontaneous ad lib begins. She responds so organically to the audience and doesn’t miss any opportunity for an additional laugh.
It was soon apparent there were a large number of her work colleagues, family and friends in the audience. To say there was a lot of love in the audience for Jaclyn DeVincentis would be an understatement! She laughed at the small number of non family and workmates in the audience, and later joked about the even smaller number of non Italians in the room. I’m not Italian and I’m not a family member or work colleague. The whole show felt warm and welcoming. By the end of the show I could only imagine what an amazing Performing Arts teacher she must be and how cool it must be to learn from her. I wonder if her students realise what an incredible gift they have?
Accompanying Jaclyn DeVincentis through the show is Luke Miller on guitar (one of the few non Italians in attendance). His beautiful, gentle guitar work balances the power vocals of Jaclyn DeVincentis.
The show ebbs and flows through hilarious moments, then moves into some more serious ones, but only for a moment. Part of DeVincentis’ talent is cleverly bringing the audience back from what seemed to be going down a heavier tone and getting more laughter. The smart writing is aided by the use of a stylish visual presentation. The presentation turns on to help illustrate the story, then turns off when the mood needs it. It’s perfectly balanced and thoroughly engaging.
As one of the non Italians in the room, I still knew nearly all the references, and had a good laugh. I went to school with a lot of Italians. It’s hard not to know many of the cultural references and for the few that non Italians might not already be aware of, it’s still entertaining to learn a few new things.
If you’re Italian this is a must-see show. The Italians around me laughed and cried. If you’re not Italian, you’ll find yourself laughing along anyway, and wishing you returned home from weddings with pockets stuffed full of bonbonniere and maybe even you had a cool Nonna like Nonna Sera.
By the end of the show I had just one niggling question and was tempted to return just to find out what Nonna Sera really did think about her granddaughter’s show?
While the short Melbourne season has come to and end, Prima Nonna is such a good show, it deserves to be seen by a much wider audience and hopefully Jaclyn DeVincentis can find some more time, perhaps in her school breaks, to bring it back … then we can all find out Nonna Sera’s reaction!
Photography by 3 Fates Media.
