LABOR OF LOVE

"LABOR OF LOVE" is a play with music based on the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory Fire of 1911. Because of horrific working conditions, 146 immigrant workers perished in the worst industrial disaster in New York City history up until New York's tragic 9/11. It was because of these lost lives that labor laws, Worker's Compensation Insurance and building safety codes were enforced.

The play takes place the day of the disaster. The story portrays the joy, laughter, love and cultural mix of both Italian and Jewish immigrants. The characters have a flair for comedy, song and dance. This story telling piece makes you feel like you were with them in joy, survival and their tragic deaths. The music is both original and traditional. It expresses cultural diversities and similarities.

Labor of Love was performed as a 15 minute presentation at Judson Church, NYC on the 99th anniversary of the fire, March 25, 2010. It was taped and televised on ITALICS, by the C.U.N.Y. College television station and was widely received. Former NY Senator Serphin R. Maltese first approached JoAnn Robertozzi and asked her to do "something" artistic to honor his family members who perished in the fire. Here was born Labor of Love.

Since last year, we have developed the presentation into a one act play with music running approximately one hour long. Currently we are performing it as as a staged reading with music. We added more characters and a new original song, Open the Door which debuted at the Triangle Centennial on March 25, 2011 on the main stage. Because of that, DeMarco Morgan a WNBC Channel 4, New York, journalist and news correspondent, featured JoAnn Robertozzi, Lorraine Ferro and Rosie De Sanctis on the 6pm nightly news singing the new song and talking about Labor of Love. We are in the process of acquiring the news clip and re-filming the play at our next performance on May 6, 2011 at Snug Harbor in Staten Island, NY. Please continue to check this website for updates on performances and new live video.

This piece is versatile and told from a character narrative. It can be performed with a Q&A for educational purposes and/or audience participation. Labor of Love is a collaborative arts effort involving writers, songwriters, actors, musicians, dancers and performance artists. This grant will help us complete the book and music and mount the complete show.