Review of “Stolen Christmas” A novel by Arthur Cola

“Stolen Christmas” is the newest tale. To be published this summer.

Romeo and Juliet meet The Bells of St. Mary’s
(A review of the novel “Stolen Christmas” by Arthur Cola)
By Richard Shields Colaianni

“Stolen Christmas” is a story which Hallmark Channel should take to its heart. Taking place in the season of hope, joy and love these attributes perfectly describe this tale not set on the streets of Verona, Italy nor in the urban immigrant neighborhoods of New York City, but in the very heart of Chicago where that legendary cow kicked over that infamous lantern which caused the catastrophic fire. Those streets so familiar to those who grew up in the “Windy City” with names like DeKoven, Lexington, Halsted and of course Taylor encompass what is known as “Little Italy.” There in this old immigrant neighborhood a pair of love struck teens bring that story of alienated families divided by culture and ethnicity into contemporary time. Their two worlds reflect the current issue of what it means to be American. Now mix these two teens not with Bing Crosby’s rendition of Father O’Malley but rather a young pastor named Father Anthony Frazzini. The new pastor is about to lose his Church to a large land development corporation who owns the lease to the land on which the Church stands and you begin to get a sense of this merging of the love story of the ages with the tender almost nostalgic rendering of the actual symbol of Italian immigration to America in the Church of Our Lady of Pompeii. Now add to this mix a third grade boy who learns about the impending end of his Church and School and you almost have the combination you need for this tale of childhood innocence, confrontation of adult forces and impetuousness of youth needed to create a compelling tale which impacts one’s heart and soul.

That final ingredient needed to fully bring this tale of David and Goliath, Montagues and Capulets, Mr. Bogardus and Father O’Malley to life is none other than Jolly Ole’ St. Nick. But there are no reindeer, sleigh or adventures to the North Pole in this story. Rather the young lad forms a plot to prevent Christmas from being celebrated and thus stop the demolition of his Church on December 26th. The encounter of the boy, as he sets out to implement his dastardly deed, and a kindly old gentleman with a long white beard sets into motion a series of events which strike at the very heart of what Christmas entails. The action unfolds as the Pastor, teen lovers (Elena Gonzalez and John Nannini), third grader Romero Gonzalez and the gentlemen they call Mr. Nick come to grips with the breaking of the 7th Commandment for a noble cause and stand ready to battle a giant on Taylor Street in “Little Italy” of Chicago.

Look for the publication of “Stolen Christmas” on amazon.com and at http://www.feedaread.com later this summer and get your copy in time for the holiday season. Author Arthur Cola will be presenting his new book at Al’s, Chicago’s #1 Beef, at 1079 W. Taylor St. in Chicago, on Sat. July 13th beginning at 11 a.m.

A Grateful Heart and Warm Christmas wishes by Arthur Cola

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From Acorn to Baby Oak by Arthur Cola

A couple of fall seasons ago I was visiting Concord MA as part of an Irish Fest book promotion. Being who I am it was natural to search out historical sights which aren’t quite a well known as others. I ended up on Author’s Ridge in the Sleepy Hollow Cemetary. There some of our most famous American authors are buried. As I was standing amongst the graves of Nathaniel Hawthrone, Ralph Waldo Emerson and Thoreau and across from Louisa May Alcott an acorn fell from one of the huge Oak trees surrounding the gravesites. It hit my head. I picked it up and pocketed it. My grandsons helped me to plant it in a flower pot in our living room. The local nursery guy told me to get it outside and protect it, for it was a baby Oak Tree that had sprouted from that acorn. Well today I checked it out while watering it. It has taken on its fall colors and I knew that soon I will have to cover it with a rose bush cone. After all it’s still a baby Oak tree. I may not be around to see it become the mighty Oak that it is destined to be but it will have had its nurturing years in my backyard. So here for you to enjoy, is the Baby Oak tree from the spiritual resting place of early American Authors on Author’s Ridge. Notice that despite its size, the Little Oak has full size leaves as on a fullly grown tree. How cool is that? For this Chicago city boy, it’s quite the accomplishment.

It’s Fall time in Wisconsin where we now live. And here’s a taste of it from Fall Fest at State Fair Park in Milwaukee with our youngest daughter Kathleen, the older daughter Jana, her husband Chris and the boys,Connor and Riley.

 

Auditions for “Ring of the Magi” Screenplay by Arthur Cola

The first phase of movie making is now completed. Auditiions were held for the Table Read event of my screenplay, “Ring of the Magi.” A panel of judges have had their input on who should be assigned roles in the Table Read event. Another set of auditions will be held to fill three lead male roles which are older teens. These will be held in the S. E. Wisconsin and Chicago area. Burlington High School auditorium was used for the auditions and this Burlington, WI site will be the location of the Table Read performance before an audience. The next phase in movie making before this takes place however will be the line by line review of the script to polish it for that event.
Here are some highlights of that Audition evening.

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What is a Table Read? By Arthur Cola

Movie Promtion Image by John Colaianni

What is a Table Read? Now that’s a question which many people ask of me as I present my screenplay “Ring of the Magi” which Producer Ronald Kolman is developing into a film project. This development begins with what is called a Table Read. But before that happens auditions must be held to select actors for the various roles. Below I have placed what interested actors receive as they express interest in auditioning for the Table Read Event. I think it answers that question as to what a table read is. I have included the criteria for the panel of judges who will evaluate the actors who will be auditioning as well.

“Ring of the Magi” Table Read Audition Form

Audition location: BurlingtonHigh School Auditorium at 400 McCanna in Burlington, WI

Date/Time(s) of audition: Friday Sept. 21 beginning at 3:30 P.M. on a first come first served basis after that time. Please wear business casual clothes for the audition.

A Table Read is an oral rendition, with narration, of a screenplay in a dramatic fashion but without dramatic action.

The purpose of this audition is to find actors to dramatically speak the role from Arthur Cola’s screenplay of “Ring of the Magi.” at a Table Read event live on stage before an audience. Said role will be assigned to those who audition based on the criteria listed on this form and the evaluation of a panel of judges at the audition.

The staged Table Read will be held in October with a rehearsal date before the event based on availability of actors, BHS Auditorium location, and after promotion of the event to gain an audience for it.

Performing in the Table Read event does not guarantee a role in the actual movie. However participants in the Table Read will receive a call to audition for a role in the film when pre-production begins.

The performed Table Read will be filmed during the live performance. Said video will be available to actors for use in promoting their careers and to Producer/director Ronald Kolman, writer Arthur Cola and investors to promote the film project.

Please print all information requested and bring with you to audition.

Actor Name:_______________________________________________________

Contact Information:

Address:_________________________________________________________

City__________________________ State_________ ZIP_________________

Email:___________________________________________________________

Phone (if no email):________________________________________________

Character role(s) for which you are auditioning:_____________________________

“Ring of the Magi”

Audition Judging Criteria and Evaluation

Actor Name:____________________________________

Audition role:___________________________________

For audition judges only: Using an A, B, C evaluation symbols and notes, Actors are awarded a grade for their reading rendition of the scene.

____Projection ____Emotional connection ____Characterization

____Clarity ____Diction

Notes:_________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________

Role recommended:_______________________________________________________

Table Read assigned role:___________________________________________________

Judge’s name: Print name:__________________________________________________

Signed judge’s name:______________________________________________________

9/21/12©Ring of the Magi by Arthur Cola

Table Read for “Ring of the Magi” by Arthur Cola

Movie poster for film project of “Ring of the Magi” by Arthur Cola.
Image created by John Colaianni.

RING OF THE MAGI BY ARTHUR COLA
Table Read auditions for the film project of “Ring of the Magi”
by Arthur Cola will be held on
Friday, Sept. 21 from 3:30 p.m. until 7 p.m. in the auditorium theater of Burlington High School in Burlington WI.
Interested actors may bring their own monologue or scene to perform or contact Producer/director Ron Kolman and author Arthur Cola for a scene from the screenplay appropriate to the part for which they are auditioning.

To view the cast list, actors may visit: http://www.facebook.com/ringofthemagibyarthurcola
Contact Arthur Cola at arthurcola@yahoo.com or 262-308-1608

Festivals and the Literary World by Arthur Cola

Arthur Cola at Dublin Irish Fest in Ohio

The Grandsons of Arthur Cola, wearing their “Little Italy” of New York shirts, at Festa Italiana in Milwaukee.

Festivals and the Literary World
By Arthur Cola

The age of social media and the internet has transformed the manner in which authors present their stories to the world. This very venue is a fine example of this explosion of electronic marketing and sharing of information on one’s stories. There remains however that personal interaction activity called “a book event.” All of us who write are quite familiar with these events usually held in a local bookstore. It affords us time to speak with people about one’s work in a heartfelt manner. They are also usually arranged through media communication such as email as well. So these events today have become a blend of a human interactive event and that of the electronic age.

For me there is another explosion of cultural events which have become a literary phenomenon affording authors opportunities to present their work. These are the Cultural and Ethnic Festivals held across the nation. Originally designed to bring a taste of a particular ethnic culture to its visitors through music, food and entertainment, each has grown to present not only a historical aspect to its cultural presentation but also the Fine Arts of their heritage. And that now includes Literary works by people like me. Festivals such as Festa Italiana/Milwaukee, Dublin Irish Fest in Ohio, IBAM/Chicago, Boston Irish Fest and Festa Italiana in Washington D.C. are just a few examples of these celebrations of cultural food, music, history, and the Fine Arts which now includes Literary works often reflecting their heritage or stories written by authors of a particular ethnic background.

I love these Festivals which keep me pretty busy through the summer and into the fall season. It affords me an opportunity to engage in dialogue with fellow authors and the festival visitors who may never have been exposed to an author’s work were it not for the festival having an “Authors Corner.” Standing by the table, usually in a tent structure, on which is displayed my books is fun for me. This year I had my two twelve year old grandsons with me at Festa Italiana in Milwaukee. They had a blast handing out cards announcing my new novel, THE BROOCH. The people loved it when the “boys” invited them to meet their Papa. The couple of hours they were there was a unique experience for them and brought into the Fine Arts tent a lot of visitors.

One of the most asked question at any festival is that of why I began to write books. I never get tired of answering that question. It’s a perfect one which allows me to introduce my books. And so I begin with how my first story was written for my grandchildren, in fact the very ones handing out those cards when they were in Kindergarten. Thus was born “Papa and the Gingerbread Man.” A Christmas fantasy adventure fantasy set in St. Augustine Florida its format of learning a little early American History while chasing the vacationing famous cookie man throughout America’s oldest city is a hit with grandparents and kids alike.

From that introduction, I present my family friendly novels of “Papa and the Leprechaun King” and “The Shamrock Crown.” “These tales are based on experiences encountered while on a self-guided tour of Ireland and the United Kingdom,” I tell them. They are a blend of present day events with the folklore, history and legends of these nations. My middle school aged grandsons liked reading these stories of American tourists saving the Realm of the Wee Folk while on Tour of Ireland and that of the legend of King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table brought into the 21st Century and so do the “baby boomers” of my generation.

Moving to my adult novels, The Stone Cutter Genius and The Brooch I am able to answer another frequently asked question, why did I write stories revolving around the life and times of the Renaissance Artist Michelangelo. The answer often surprises them. While most kids of my day had heroes like The Lone Ranger and Superman, my childhood hero was an artist who had died 500 years ago. “My, you must have been from an artistic family” they would remark. “Not hardly, I grew up in the “little Italy” neighborhood of Chicago on the near west side. The reason I looked up to Michelangelo was that he was of my height and weight.” When I went to Italy years later doing post graduate work at Loyola University in Rome, I began to form an idea for a book. Later when I took a group of my students to Italy, their antics and experiences would serve to provide much fodder for the telling of a story filled with the issues of the present day and intertwined with that of the life and times of Michelangelo. And so these mystery tales based on the Italian legend of the “Ring of the Magi” from the days of the Renaissance were born.

Festivals are indeed a great way for authors to get the word out on their work. Many of them now have scheduled formal presentations for the author. Thus the author has an audience. These usually run around 30 to 45 minutes, thus I am able to present the background of the forming of my books with a/v highlights as well. It also allows me to throw in the news of the film project for my screenplay, “Ring of the Magi.” That usually results in a lot of interest as well. Of course those questions, of which I have written, will be among those asked during the question and answer period which concludes the presentation. Festivals are great fun and a wonderful marketing opportunity for we who write.

(The books of Arthur Cola may be ordered at http://www.amazon.com/kindle and at http://www.feedaread.com. The film project news is available at http://www.facebook.com/ringofthemagibyatrhurcola ).