In 2023, the one-man show Made in Italy from actor and playwright Farren Timoteo became a massive success story for Theatre Calgary, having a completely sold-out run with rave reviews by critics and audiences alike.

So strong was the demand for that show, that it has now returned to Theatre Calgary as the opening production for the 2025–26 season.

Timoteo’s performance as over 25 different characters telling the story of two generations of Italian immigrants living in Jasper in the 1950s and 1970s, in a laugh-out-loud funny examination of immigration and Canadian identity, is likely to delight once again.

“It’s a comedy, it’s a musical, it’s super fun. I can confidently say we always leave people leaving the theatre with a smile on their face,” said Timoteo.

“This show is inspired by my family and follows two men, one who has immigrated to Jasper in the 50s, and his teenage son growing up against the backdrop of the 70s, complete with all of the cultural fun that that includes like the music and the aesthetics.”

Theatre Calgary’s Artistic Director, Stafford Arima, said that it was a rare performance that elicited such warmth, laughter, and connection.

“Made in Italy did just that. We are looking forward to welcoming back those whose experienced the magic last time. Those that will be seeing it for the first time are in for a truly unforgettable ride,” he said.

Arima said the decision to bring it back as the opening performance of the new season was an easy one for the company.

That responsibility and honour that comes with opening a new season was something that he and his team, including Director Daryl Cloran, accepted graciously, said Timoteo.

“I absolutely hope that the connection that we have with audiences, which is joyful and very theatrical and, in our case, comedic, does set the right tone for the season. They have a beautiful season lined up, and I think we’re just trying to meet that bar,” he said.

“The director and I worked really hard to make each character feel distinct and to give them fully fledged personalities. As we rehearsed and especially as I performed the show over the last nine years. In fact, we’ll celebrate our ninth anniversary and our 300th performance here in Calgary.”

Made in Italy to mark a milestone in Calgary

He said those characters were now a part of his bones and soul, and that began with trying to create a show that would really resonate with audiences, no matter their background.

“What I really wanted to capture was the experience of my family coming to a new country and their mixed experiences acquainting themselves with that country. They’re proud Canadians, but my father had a difficult time because he was an outsider,” said Timoteo.

“So, as much as I think it’s a story about immigration that explores that experience from my family’s perspective, I also think, in a larger part, it’s a story about people who feel like they’re on the outside and have a difficult time getting into it and all the different ways they try to do that in that way. I think if you’re Italian, you can relate to the story because it’s a love letter to that culture. But if you’re not, you might relate to that experience instead of the journey of being somebody who’s on the outside looking in.”

As for whether or not the run will be sold out, Timoteo said that right now it would be unimaginable to see it do so again.

“If we did, I would just feel grateful. I’m just so grateful to still be doing this show. I’m so grateful to be back in Calgary, and my whole team feels that way. And if we sell out again, I think it would touch me more than I can express,” he said.

Opening night for Made in Italy is on Aug. 29, with extremely limited numbers of tickets left. The show runs until Sept. 21.