Italian/Jewish dinner show mixes meatballs, Meshuganahs

By Jonathan Rubin

CRANSTON — Italians and Jews have lots in common — they both love food and family, and both have been sources of countless movie and television scripts and plotlines.

So two friends, one Italian and one Jewish, took their respective backgrounds and, as Chef Emeril Lagasse puts it,  “kicked it up a notch.”

The result is something that they hope will appeal to large numbers from both camps — “Meatballs, Meshugannahs and Murder,” a Jewish / Italian murder mystery, presented in Italian restaurants in Cranston, Smithfield, Johnston and Providence.

Creators Tavlin “Spyce” Hogan and Bryan Ottaviano (“You can’t get more Italian than that,” he says) aren’t known for tame productions — in the past they’ve worked on movies about confused sexual identities and a steamy documentary on kissing, to name a few. They decided to focus on Judaism after a play called “Nice Jewish Girls Gone Bad” packed a full house at AS220 in Providence.

“I realized that people wanted gaudy, naughty and over-the-top,” said Hogan. “We don’t get that much of this Jewish humor around here.”

 “Our brand of humor is not for shy people,” she said with a laugh.

The Italian side came in just as easily.

“So many people are Italian here,” said Ottaviano. “There’s an Italian restaurant on every corner. I thought this would be a great way to bring these people together for dinner.”

The show is a dinner murder mystery, although the two almost shudder to use that label.

“It’s not dry or derivative. This play stands on its own,” said Ottaviano.

The play centers around Gina Mancini’s birthday party, held at a local Italian restaurant. Gina is bringing her new Jewish boyfriend, Lance Feinberg (played by Ottaviano) and his sister Liz (played by Hogan). They encounter Gina’s patriarchal father Tony, played by Ray Daponte, and bring along their outrageous mom Kiki, played by Stephanie Penzel. Then, someone is murdered, but who did it and why?

The show works like this: You’ll have dinner and watch the play unfold. Characters mill around in the audience between scenes, offering clues and having a good laugh with the guests. Audience participation is recommended to help the actors find out who committed the shanda (great shame) before it’s too late.

There will a “glossary” of Yiddishisms provided in case people aren’t familiar with all the Jewish lingo.

Hogan works as the director of Perspectives, a young Jewish adult social group at the Jewish Community Center, and her group will be going to the May 18 show. Ottaviano works in several theater and writing positions.

The two hope this joint venture will be a just a beginning — they have plans for other Jewish productions, including “High Holiday Hijinks” and “Suddenly Last Seder.”

All show doors open at 6:30pm, show starts at 7pm. Prices vary between $26 and $34 and includes meal and gratuity. Reservations required.

For more information, email hellowhodied@gmail.com or call 401-419-2850.