The Snail

The Snail tackles a theme that's currently surfacing in the mainstream, one of gender identity. Nobly performed by the cast in this bare bones production. I feel the show itself was a workshop presentation of what is or aims to be a full length script. I would have liked to have seen the character arcs given more time to organically justify where they ended. The first half of the play was playful, and then, after a fun revealing mid point, took nice heartfelt turn. Worth the price of admission. Enjoyable and moving with likeable characters. ... full review

The Snail is a play longing to be a movie, and as a result, it fails. There's two minutes of exposition, followed by a blackout. Then there's another scene, followed by another blackout. Another short scene, another blackout. This pattern continues for the (thankfully short) duration of the play. It deals with a sensitive subject—a young man's feelings that he was born in the wrong gender's body. It's a subject that deserves attention, but this isn't the play to do that. The performers are earnest, but lost in the razor-thin plot. Also, they're performing in English, which is clearly a second language for all of them. So the confusing plot line is made more difficult to follow as a result of the accents. This was the least rewarding... full review

Told in a series of 12 episodes, THE SNAIL is a moving exploration of Andrew who finally admits that he is transgender and wants to become a woman. From his conception to birth through his outing, writer and director Fabio Zito has constructed a very human story of self-acceptance and rebirth, no matter the odds. Arianna Luzi plays Edward and all his struggles to perfection, bravely changing her appearance for male to female in front of the audience, According to the writer, with Italy being a Catholic nation, it is only recently that the acceptance of homosexuality is finally happening, But unfortunately, transgender people are still seen as suffering from a disease. The play is very topical right now given the news making transition o... full review

Excellent, refreshing work. European style writing/performance: fresh, simple, honest. And as a result, very emotional without being cloyingly sentimental. American playwrights and actors should pay attention. Viva Italia!... full review

Brillian show, really well played and directed. Great talented actors.... full review