Mambo Italiano is now playing at the Westchester Broadway Theatre. This family musical tugs on all the right heart strings while striking the perfect balance between emotion and laughter.
This show tackles the dynamics of a family lead by matriarch, Maria Barbieri, alongside her endearing husband Gino. As they struggle to keep the family restaurant in business and simultaneously medal in the lives of their grandchildren which they have raised since birth, we watch various dilemmas unfold. As if watching comedic family squabbles isn’t entertaining enough, the never-ending match-making and love triangles in this musical will keep you locked in.
The beauty of this production lies in the fact that it is so relatable. Who doesn’t have a headstrong matriarch who everyone fears disappointing and loves more than words can express? It can be exhausting taking in all of that wisdom and advice from someone who has lived through so much and truly believes they know it all! Nothing beats overbearing caregivers who only want the best for you but just can’t step out of the way long enough to let you figure things out on your own!
At the end of the day one thing remains the same; family is forever. Having a difference in opinion or desire not to walk the straight and narrow may indeed stir the pot, but it will not keep you apart for too long. No matter what path you find yourself walking, the road somehow always leads you back home where the heart is! The plot twists and turns will keep you on your toes.
It can be rough keeping up with the way the world continues to change when you have been raised to hold on tight to your morals and values.
This musical did a phenomenal job of taking a peek into how tricky it can be to navigate new territory, all while highlighting the importance of acceptance and living our own lives and letting people live theirs as they see fit. No matter how difficult that may be. We all deal with our differences within our households, and it can be easy to get caught up on the little things. It was nice to laugh alongside strangers who were identifying with some of the very issues that we think may only pertain to us!
Who doesn’t love a one stop shop?
Where else can you go to have a lovely dinner, see an amazing show, enjoy a luxury dessert during intermission, and get the “Broadway” theater experience without actually traveling into the city? The wait staff were delightful, and the room was filled with such a diverse crowd. There were your “frequent flyers” dressed to impress, enjoying champagne with their meals, and only a couple of feet away there were families enjoying a night out together. I brought my mother along as my date because she had been talking about this theater for months!
We had an amazing time and couldn’t help but scroll through the play bill and check off all of the future events that we can’t wait to attend. There are even holiday events like brunch with Santa which I plan on making a family outing. There are so many wonderful things to do and see in Westchester County. Of all the things I did this summer, visiting the Westchester Broadway Theatre was definitely one of my favorite trips.
Lelia was raised in Queens, NY and moved to White Plains, NY as a teenager. She is the proud mother of three biological children and two bonus children. Shortly after after her eldest child was born, she completed her Bachelor’s degree, majoring in Psychology. A couple of years later she went on to receive her Master’s in Human Resource Management. Lelia married her husband Eugene in 2015. After the birth of her second child, she made the transition from career woman and working mom to a stay-at-home mommy now juggling “two under two.” Recently she decided to test the waters as an entrepreneur and became the sole proprietor of How Many Hatz Coaching; promoting health and wellness while encouraging women to focus on their personal and developmental growth through transformational thinking. Lelia is a super picky eater, yet still considers herself a foodie. Among her hobbies is the joy of coupon clipping and finding free local family fun! Connect with her on instagram [@how_many_hatz] for daily inspiration, meal prep, get fit tips and more !
