Sacco & Vanzetti; On and Off the Stage

Left to right: Nicola Sacco and Bartolomeo Vanzetti

Two curriers transporting the payroll for Slater-Morill Shoe Company in Braintree, MA were robbed and killed. Their names were Alessandro Berardelli and Frederick Parmenter. The robbers made off with almost $16,000. Sacco, Vanzetti, and several other men went to pick up a car that the police suspected to be the get-away car of the robbery. The police had set up a trap at the garage, and Sacco and Vanzetti were the only two arrested. The others fled and made it out. They were found to be carrying guns, ammunition, and anarchist literature. Their weapons took the same caliber bullets as the ones that killed the two curriers.

During these times, crime scene investigation did not have the technology we have today. Since the two men were carrying weapons that took the same ammunition as in the crime, people’s minds were made up fairly quickly. They could not prove that their weapons did not fire the fatal shots, and with the amount of Italian racism present at the time, not many people would listen. Most people remained closed minded. It was also implied that Vanzetti stole one of the guards’ revolver during the shooting, as the guard’s holster was found empty.

An ex-convict also on trial for murder, Celestino Madeiros, wrote a confession that he was involved in the Braintree crime and denied Sacco and Vanzetti’s involvement. But after questioning Madeiros’ credibility, Judge Thayer denied the motion for a new trial. The Supreme Court Justice denied the Madeiros appeal.

Two weeks ago I acted in the world premiere of the production “(Sacco-Vanzetti) Vince, Al & Teddy” by Bruce J. Robinson, a play which references these events. The play is about a fictional Italian family living in the 1920’s during post-World War I Italian oppression. The father, Vince, is an immigrant who is a big follower and supporter of Nicola Sacco and Bartolomeo Vanzetti and their anarchist movements. Teddy is the oldest son who is trying to break out of the Italian stereotype so his family may not be persecuted for their anarchist beliefs.

Over the course of rehearsing for this production, we learned a great deal of history about this time and the Sacco-Vanzetti trials. The trials were incredibly biased against the two, even though certain evidence submitted proved their innocence.

I played the role of Bartolomeo Vanzetti. When the play starts, Nicola Sacco and I have already been in prison for around five years. For most of the play we are in separate cells and only communicate by reading our letters to each other. Our only scene where we are together and have direct dialogue with each other is in the second act. It is during the Clemency Appeal and I am trying to convince Sacco to support and sign the petition, which I eventually fail to do. None of our trials are seen.

Our characters conflict with each other throughout the show. I am very optimistic and full of hope that we will eventually be free. I constantly try to fill Sacco with the same idea, but it’s not so easy. Sacco is very stubborn (and I suppose I am too) in his belief that there is no hope in being freed. He is sad because he cannot be with his family and for the heartbreak his wife is experiencing. Sacco has a more realistic idea of what is going on. He knows the justice system will not favor them, and they will ultimately be put to death.

           

It was a pleasure and an unforgettable experience working on this production. Being the first people to produce a show, especially one with such a strong message, is always very exciting. It was like history in the making. This was also my very first production. Getting such positive feedback from the director, writer, and audience has made me want to continue in acting on stage and in film. I see a new future ahead of me.

For more information on the play, visit playwright Bruce J. Robinson's website by clicking the link below:

Bruce J. Robinson

by John Ardini