“That’s Amore” Film Screening
Join the Italian American Program for a screening of “That’s Amore.”
Online tickets are no longer available for this event, but are available to purchase at the door this evening.
“That’s Amore” is a romantic comedy and a truly delightful story about family, friends, love and living. It is character driven with performances that will make you laugh and cry, filled with moments and personal relationships that the entire family will enjoy.
The story revolves around Lucia Lombardi (played by Tammy Pescatelli) a single, middle-aged nurse who lives with her feisty but ailing mother Rosa (played by Barbara Russell). Lucia finds herself in a difficult situation when she makes a deal with Rosa that involves her dentist friend Rocco (played by Dave Petti) who has been infatuated with Lucia from the very first time he literally ran into her. Rocco’s best friend Gino (played by Joe Puglisi) soon becomes involved in the antics and the real fun begins!
Admission
This in-person program will be held in the museum’s fifth floor Mueller Center. Please register for the film screening in advance online. Tickets are $15 for adults, $10 for members, and $5 for children. The film’s runtime is 140 minutes.
The screening is sponsored by the History Center’s Italian American Program and Little Italy Productions, LLC. For more information, please contact Melissa E. Marinaro at memarinaro@heinzhistorycenter.org.
About the Cast & Crew
Tammy Pescatelli (Lucia Lombardi) is an internationally renowned stand-up comedian who honed her funny skills growing up in a large, crazy, Italian family. Her comedy specials, “More Funny Women Of A Certain Age” and “Way After School Special” are currently available on Showtime and ITunes. She won Comedy Central’s Stand-Up Showdown and was a finalist on the second and third seasons of Last Comic Standing. Tammy has performed on talk shows such as The Tonight Show with Jay Leno and is one of the sharpest women in the comedy world after being one of the final five on NBC’s Last Comic Standing. Not only did Tammy star in the reality television show on WEtv, called A Stand Up Mother, but she also co-created, executive produced and wrote it, which related to her life as a mother, wife and comedian.
Dave Petti (Dr. Rocco Costa) is an actor, voice artist and stunt performer who has appeared in numerous films, television, and commercials over the last 25 years. He also is one of the executive producers and screenwriter for “That’s Amore”. Dave has trained extensively with some of the finest teaching actors including improv, scene study, and stunt training. He can be seen in feature films such as “Jack Reacher” and “Hoffa” having the pleasure to work with Jack Nicholson, Danny DeVito, Rondell, Sheridan and others on the big screen. He enjoys working with the close-knit Pittsburgh indie film community and is a dental medical doctor.
Joe Puglisi (Gino Mascari) has appeared in theater, commercials and movies since starting his career only seven years ago. He is also one of the executive producers of “That’s Amore” and a co-author of the movie’s original storyline. Raised in Brooklyn, New York, Joe has also trained and worked with many of Pittsburgh’s finest actors. Joe is a college Professor in Pittsburgh and is a co-owner of “Little Italy Productions”. His relationship as a principal actor in many of Point Park Productions led to the “That’s Amore” crew which “was a pleasure to work with such professionals in front of and behind the camera”.
Barbara Russell (Rosa Lombardi) was an iconic actress well known to children nationwide from her many roles on “Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood,” including the first episode, when she appeared as the eccentric Mrs. Russellite, collector of lampshades. She appeared in numerous episodes as herself and the voice of Mrs. Hilda Dingleborder, among other characters for many years. A veteran of stage and screen her comedic talents were her trademark, but Barbara also has the distinction of appearing among the undead in George Romero’s zombie horror classic “Day of the Dead.”
Dan Helbling (Director) is a graduate of the renowned Point Park University Cinema Arts Department and had the opportunity to work with a fantastic and creative crew that he knew and worked with throughout his college career. In his first feature film, Dan brought his experiences in growing up in an Italian family to full fruition while he directed a “fantastic cast and crew with a high level of professionalism who worked together to make a great film.” He also oversaw all of the aspects of post-production working hand in hand with the film’s editor, colorist, and sound engineer providing the visual effects and final polish of the project. When Dan read the script several years ago, he loved it so much he made sure he had a part in the film. You’ll see Dan in the movie as Tony the waiter.