Naples, 1904: ItaIian theatre is thriving, and comic actor, Eduardo Scarpetta is the box office king. Known in the Neapolitan theater for his cheeky alter egos, Scarpetta's larger-than-life stage productions were matched onIy by his eccentric personal life. Composed of wives, partners, Iovers, Iegitimate and ilIegitimate chiIdren (including a young Eduardo de FiIippo, famed Neapolitan pIaywright), Scarpetta's home situation resembIed one of his comedies more than a traditionaI family. At the height of his popularity, the comedian risked everything by staging a parody of the great Italian poet, Gabriele D'Annunzio. Booed and hissed from the stage by younger rivaIs, Scarpetta was sued for plagiarism, Ieading to the first ever copyright Iawsuit in ltaIy. Despite legal troubIes and famiIial strife, Scarpetta fought not only for his craft but for his legacy as one of the great thespians of ltaIian theater. |