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This play brings to life all the passion, comedy and drama inherent in a Sicilian-American family.

Hear What's In The Heart - A Shoemaker's Tale, is set against the backdrop of a post-funeral gathering to celebrate the life of Scionti's grandfather, Angelo Morello (who owned Angleo's Shoe Repair on Main Street in Middletown). Taking us through the funeral day's events, Scionti paints a theatrical family portrait in a series of humorous and poignant vignettes transforming himself into various family members and friends, jumping back and forth through time to affecting moments on his journey into adulthood. Eight characters are portrayed in all, including his grandfather; his father Sebastiano; his mother Rosetta; brother Antonio; uncles Amadeo and Manny; Jerry, the local neighborhood pizza-maker; and Brother Connelly, a teacher from Xavier High School in Middletown, CT.

"Family goes across all racial and ethnic lines. You don't have to be Italian to enjoy this show," states Scointi, and Alvin Klein of The New York Times agrees, adding, "...though Mr. Scionti makes you think you are. By the time the tale of Angelo Morello has been told, you know that flights of angels truly sang him to his rest."

What are the critics saying about this play: 

**** [FOUR STARS] My review can be summed up in four words: Go see this play! – Manhattan Theatre Group.

"HEAR WHAT'S IN THE HEART: A Shoemaker's Tale" is a wonderful show. Steve Scionti delivers a tour de force performance, - New York International Fringe Festival

The show received two Drama-Logue Awards for Best Performance and Best Writing while it was performed in Los Angeles and was also chosen for presentation at the very prestigious H.B.O. Workshop.

No, you don't have to be Italian-American to relate to "The Gathering" ["HEAR WHAT'S IN THE HEART: A Shoemaker's Tale"] even though Mr. Scionti makes you think you are. By the time the tale of Angelo Morello has been told, you know that flights of angels truly sang him to his rest. – The New York Times

"Hear What's In The Heart" is not to be missed!!!" - - LA VOCE / Las Vegas

This One-Man-Show will be in our brand new venue: WILD OSCAR's. Wild Oscar’s is a new 60 person general admission room below the Akron Civic Theatre on the Lock 4 level.  The door to Wild Oscar’s opens directly to Lock 4. Patrons do not enter the Civic to access it. Patrons will enter Lock 4 either off Bowery Street using the stairs or the Cascades Parking deck or they can enter through Lock 3.

Wild Oscar’s Parking Directions

Enter the Cascade Parking Deck off Quaker Street (recommended) or Mill Street.  Follow signs to I Cascade (Orange Signs).

Continue to I Cascade Level 2  (Columns are painted orange with 2 on them).  Continue to the far end of the lot and you will see sliding glass doors.  Use these doors to exit deck, enter Lock 4. Keep walking straight ahead and Wild Oscar’s will be on the left.