The Mandrake Root (La Mandragola) is a satirical play by the author of The Prince, Niccolò Machiavelli.
Although the five-act comedy was published in 1524 and first performed in the carnival season of 1526, Machiavelli likely wrote The Mandrake Root in 1518 to be performed at the wedding of Duke Lorenzo de’ Medici and Maddalena de la Tour d’Auvregne.
KIT is reviving this seldom-produced play with its youth division, the YoungKIT.
The production will feature only 6 actors, a handful of props and a few costumes, and Macchiavelli’s masterpiece translated into English, while retaining some elements of the original Italian version.
With The Mandrake Root, KIT inaugurates a series of shows focused on highlighting the great tradition of Italian theater, re-interpreted by a younger generation, the YoungKIT.
Featuring the YoungKIT, the youth division of KIT, the Italian Theatre Company in NY.
Comprised of young talent in their 20s, all of Italian origins, the aim of the YoungKIT is to create a generation of actors trained according to the best tradition of Italian theater and familiar with both classical and contemporary Italian plays.
The group is going to change every three years, as after three years of performing in the YoungKIT, each company of actors ‘graduates’ to possible KIT Members.
Every three years, auditions will be held for actors in their 20s to join the YoungKIT.
During the three-year engagement, the YoungKIT will perform a series of Italian Classics and it will be involved in some of the major events organized by KIT, such as In Scena! Italian Theater Festival NY.
2013 Cast: Ilaria Ambrogi, Francesco Andolfi, Giulia Bisinella, Carlotta Brentan, Francesco Meola, Irene Turri
December 5 & 9, 2013 - Casa Italiana Zerilli-Marimò (NY)
2015 Cast: Francesco Andolfi, Giulia Bisinella, Carlotta Brentan, Francesco Meola, Jacopo Rampini, Irene Turri
April 10, 11 & 12, 2015 - Bernie Wohl Center (NY)