A Broken Umbrella Theatre kicked off their upcoming production, Family Business: (A)Pizza Play, with a lively and fitting preview party Sunday at downtown’s BAR Pizza. The special event brought together theater lovers, pizza enthusiasts, and supporters of the arts for an afternoon filled with delicious food and engaging performances.
Guests enjoyed a pizza buffet and beverages while getting an exclusive sneak peek at select scenes from the show. U.S. Rep. Rosa DeLauro joined the conversation, highlighting the cultural and historical importance of New Haven’s iconic apizza scene.
Set to premiere in June 2025 during the International Festival of Arts & Ideas, Family Business: (A)Pizza Play delves into the rich history of New Haven’s pie culture through the fictional Carbonizzatto family. Spanning multiple generations — from 1920 to 2010 — the play follows the family’s journey as Italian immigrants establishing and sustaining their pizza shop amidst evolving societal landscapes.
Inspired by real stories of New Haven’s pizza pioneers, the narrative explores themes of tradition, family dynamics, and the cultural significance of pizza in the community. With support from sponsors including the Community Foundation for Greater New Haven, CitySeed, and Arts & Ideas, the event underscored the deep connection between apizza, family, and storytelling in the Elm City.
Shane Quinn, as Bruno Cantante, crooned of “One Slice Don’t Make a Pie,” channeling the charm and swagger of Frank Sinatra. The character of Cantante is a nod to Ol’ Blue Eyes, who had his own slice of New Haven apizza history — Sinatra was a loyal fan of Sally’s, thanks to a special connection: his chauffeur was none other than Salvatore Consiglio’s brother.
Ian Alderman opened Sundays event with a passionate address, declaring, “Without immigrants, there is no America.” He captivated the crowd as he reflected on his own family’s deep-rooted immigrant history in New Haven, a legacy spanning 130 years. Alderman emphasized how the play celebrates New Haven’s rich Italian immigrant story, showcasing how their traditions and recipes became an integral part of the city’s identity — where their food ultimately became America’s food.
Rep. DeLauro spoke of her own New Haven Italian Immigrant story, in which “the daughter of an immigrant family can only dare dream that their daughter would someday serve in the U.S. House of Representatives.”
The event concluded with a panel discussion moderated by Italian Studies scholar Dr. Alejandro Cuadrado (left) and featuring New Haven Apizza historian/champion/promoter Colin Caplin, and Ruben Ortiz and Jes Mack of A Broken Umbrella.
