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Cu'Fu? (So who did it?)
A Sicilian's response to life perplexing moments

Stories from a Sicilian family
written and performed by Calogero (Charly) Chiarelli
Directed by Ronald Weihs
April 11-28, 1996 and remounted for an extended run Sept. 20 - Dec 15, 1996


In April 1996, Artword Theatre presented Cu'Fu?, a theatre performance by Calogero (Charly) Chiarelli, one of the surprise delights of the 1995 Artword Festival of the Human Voice, in an expanded version for a three-week run.
Cu'Fu? (So who did it?) is a Sicilian response to bad salami or the origin of the universe and most everything in between. "Who stole my purse?" "Why is my son smoking Mario Lanza?" "Who plugged me into these machines when I was ready to die three days ago?" The new world is one challenge after another, and before confronting these challenges a Sicilian must ask: Cu Fu? Through storytelling, singing and harmonica playing, Calogero unfolds his Sicilian-Canadian reality full of warmth, tragedy and humour.

ARTWORD BRINGS BACK HIT SHOW

After a sell-out run in April, and a very warm response from the Sicilian and Italian communities in Toronto, Artword Theatre remounted the show in the fall for an extended run beginning September 20,1996.

ARTWORD'S SICILIAN SHOW EXTENDS RUN

Artword Theatre's production of Cu'Fu?, by Calogero (Charly) Chiarelli, was held over until December 15, 1996. The one-person show about growing up Sicilian in Hamilton, Ontario has developed a strong grass-roots following that has been filling the tiny 60-seat theatre since September.
The show, performed in English with some Sicilian dialogue, has a very strong appeal to first and second generation immigrants to Canada, particularly of Italian and Sicilian background.
"People are coming three and four times, bringing a bigger group each time." says Judith Sandiford, managing director of the theatre.
On Saturday, November 9, a special one-night performance of Cu'Fu? is opening the Ontario Workers Arts and Heritage Centre in Hamilton, a few blocks from where the play is set.
The author and performer, Calogero (Charly) Chiarelli, grew up in the industrial north end of Hamilton where, in the words of the show, "there are 10,000 Sicilians all from the same town of Racalmuto. And back in Racalmuto, there were only 8,000 left."
Charly now lives in Kingston, where he works as a social worker. He commutes every weekend to Toronto to do the show. Charly is an expert blues and jazz harmonica player. His blues songs with Sicilian and English lyrics are a high point of the show.
Artword Theatre, now in its fourth season, is putting its full energy behind the show. "We want to take Cu'Fu?' as far as it will go," says Artistic Director Ronald Weihs. "Charly is a very talented writer and performer. And we think that Cu'Fu? has something very important to say about what it is to be Canadian. Right now, that's the most critical issue we face in this country."

 

Calogero (Charly) Chiarelli is an accomplished performer, storyteller and musician who has had several appearances on CBC's 'Cloud Nine' and the Toronto Festival of Storytelling. He has recently appeared at the Yukon International Storytelling Festival and as Dan Yashinsky's sidekick at the Festival Interculturel du Conte de Montréal. Charly is also quite adept at the lost art of setting up pins in a bowling alley, but that's another story.
Now, with credentials in psychology, linguistics and a Master in Social Work, Charly lives and works in Kingston, Ontario. Recently he and his family went to Italy for a year where he gigged as a jazz/blues harmonica player. Charly claims audiences are probably still scratching their heads at his rendition of blues tunes sung with Sicilian lyrics.