The Story of “Guido Girl” Marianne Ferrari
I avoid one-actor plays as I typically require a developing plotline and the interaction of multiple characters to hold my rather limited attention span. But I saw a one-actress play this week that has been weighing on my mind and not just because of its incredible intensity. The show reminded me once again as to why you should never judge a book by its cover.
The play is called “Guido Girl,” a coming-of-age musical memoir about Marianne Ferrari’s struggle to escape her oppressive adolescent life in the Bronx and realize her dream of becoming a Broadway star. Ferrari is an amazingly talented actress with a host of impressive theater and television credits, which came as a big shock to me when I read the program guide. Ferrari also happens to be a Pilates instructor at the midtown Manhattan studio where I train, and based on just a few good morning pleasantries, I always perceived her as being a rather shy and soft-spoken woman, albeit one with a very beautiful smile.
Turns out, Ferrari is anything but soft-spoken and her inimitable smile masks a rather troubled past. Ferrari is one of four children of Italian immigrants who arrived on the shores of New York harbor on the Andrea Doria a year to the day before it sank on July 25, 1955. Her parents would hardly be model candidates for a profile in Parenting magazine – her mother made her endure such indignities as pointing out which child was responsible for each Cesarean scar. Her father pointedly told “Marriana” she was washed up at 15 and blamed Ferrari and her siblings for his failure to become an opera star. So much for the stereotype that Jewish parents are the true Olympians when it comes to laying on the guilt.
Ferrari has a deft ear for foreign accents, and her imitation of her Scottish music teacher alone is worth the price of admission, though I found the simulation of how he ultimately sexually exploited her unsettling. Ferrari boldly shares some of her most humiliating childhood moments, like how Michael Meade dumped her because she was such an awful kisser. Fortunately, a more experienced girlfriend named Desiree taught her the ropes. And then there was Fifo, the career aimless boyfriend who took her virginity but had nothing more to offer than good sex.
Ferrari eventually found her way to California and embraced est and various other self-help programs for lost souls. Despite her painful childhood memories, she returned home 12 years later to help take care of her father, who was ailing with cancer but eventually beat the disease. Although its quite possible I just missed it (I often miss critical parts of plays), my only disappointment with the show is that Ferrari doesn’t share whether her parents are still living. While I’m certain they would be quite proud of their daughter’s acting and singing talents, I can’t imagine they would love her portrayals of them.
What is most remarkable about “Guido Girl” is the sheer physicality of Ferrari’s performance. She is in constant motion the entire 80 minutes she is on stage, climbing on blocks, contorting her body, and impersonating men and woman of all ages and nationalities. If not for her advanced Pilates training, I strongly doubt Ferrari could muster the stamina to do the show multiple evenings.
“Guido Girl” is alternatively hysterically funny and painfully sad, and I strongly recommend seeing the limited engagement show. And if by chance you are in the market for some top-notch Pilates instruction, I urge you to sign up for some lessons with Ferrari at the Equinox Fitness Club on Park Avenue, where, incidentally, the Pilates teaching standards are decidedly among the highest in the country.
You’ll have no problem finding Ferrari. Just look for the seemingly soft-spoken woman with the deceptively beautiful smile.
Emerging Artists Theatre presents
Guido Girl
written and performed by Marianne Ferrari
Directed by: Troy Miller
Musical Direction by: Peter Saxe
Produced by Agustine Welles
October 06, 2009 through November 01, 2009
Mondays @ 9pm
Tuesdays @ 7pm
Saturdays @ 9:30pm
Sundays @ 6pm
Location
TADA Theatre
15 W. 28th St., 2nd Floor
New York, NY 10001