UPCOMING PRODUCTIONS

Rewriting History

DIRTY MICKEY

JOE (Matteo Cremon)

​MICKEY & JOE (Good. Bad. Ugly. Dirty)

150 years (give or take) after the "unification" of Italy, a forgotten player finds herself trapped in limbo with her sworn enemy.
​
Dirty Mickey, hailing from the dark Southern underbelly of an otherwise glorious country, was a soldier in the resistance. Joe was the golden boy of the Risorgimento (literally, resurrection), forever remembered as a political hero. What will happen when Mickey, an outlaw who was silenced, murdered and erased for his benefit, comes after his legacy today? This contemporary spaghetti western challenges our collective memory, or collective amnesia.
Written by Michaela Di Cesare and directed by Daniele Bartolini, this two-hander is the ultimate Italian standoff.
​
Written by Michaela Di Cesare and directed by Daniele Bartolini, this two-hander is the ultimate Italian standoff.

Presented at the Mirella and Lino Saputo Theatre

With the generous support of the FCCI and the Canada Council for the Arts.
Centre Leonardo Da Vinci

​M&J TRAILER: https://www.instagram.com/reel/DJ7jQY_RIwp/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==

CAST & CREW

Directed by Daniele Bartolini
By Michaela Di Cesare
With Matteo Cremon (JOE) and Michaela Di Cesare (DIRTY MICKEY)
Production Manager & Technical Director Shopdogs (Lee Tucker)
Stage Manager Ava Bishop​
Set, Costume and Props Designer Sabrina Miller
Lighting Designer Sarah Mansikka
Sound Designer Andrea Gozzi
Video Designer Davide Chiazzese 
Video Design Associate Xavier Allard
Set Build Shopdogs 
Fight Choreographer Cara Rebecca
Publicity Consultant Janis Kirshner
Social Media & Marketing Anissah Vanhorn
Poster Design Cassandra Marsillo
Stage Crew  Trinity MacQuillan
Makeup for Video Amy Wetzler
Dress Rehearsal Pictures Emelia Hellman
With Dramaturgy by Ann Lambert and Laura Mitchell
Theatre Ouest End Producing Team Ann Lambert, Laura Mitchell, Alice Abracen, Ayesha Hasan, and Anissah Vanhorn

MAY 24 - POST-SHOW DISCUSSION PANEL

SABRINA MARANDOLA
Host of Let's Go, on CBC Radio One
CASSANDRA MARSILLO
Historian, writer, artist
CRISTINA CARNEMOLLA
McGill University, Asst. Professor 
MICHAELA DI CESARE
 Playwright & performer

Media Coverage

McSweeney’s List (14 May 2025) - Dawn McSweeney (Forget the box)
https://www.forgetthebox.ca/arts/mcsweeneys-list-117

On attend: Mickey & Joe (Good. Bad. Ugly. Dirty.), au théâtre Mirella et Lino Saputo du 17 au 25 - Sophie Pouliot (Le Devoir)
www.ledevoir.com/culture/theatre/880417/planches

Theatre Ouest End: Mickey & Joe (Good. Bad. Ugly. Dirty.) - (Ma/My Scena)
https://myscena.org/events/theatre-ouest-end-mickey-joe-good-bad-ugly-dirty-5/

Mickey & Joe (Good. Bad. Ugly. Dirty): In conversation with Michaela Di Cesare - (Accenti Magazine)
https://accenti.ca/mickey-joe-good-bad-ugly-dirty-in-conversation-with-michaela-di-cesare/

Community Shout Out: Theatre Ouest End upcoming play ‘Mickey & Joe (Good. Bad. Ugly. Dirty)’ - Global NEWS​https://globalnews.ca/video/11183138/community-shout-out-theatre-ouest-end-upcoming-play-mickey-joe-good-bad-ugly-dirty/

​Mickey & Joe: a modern-day spaghetti western play that tackles the Garibaldi question - (italocanadese.org)
https://italocanadese.org/2025/05/07/mickey-joe-a-modern-day-spaghetti-western-play-that-tackles-the-garibaldi-question/

A standoff at the crossroads of history – Mickey & Joe (Good. Bad. Ugly. Dirty.) - (The Montrealer)
https://themontrealeronline.com/2025/05/a-standoff-at-the-crossroads-of-history-mickey-joe-good-bad-ugly-dirty/

MICKEY & JOE (GOOD. BAD. UGLY. DIRTY.) Begins At Theatre Ouest End In May - A.A. Cristi (broadway world)
https://www.broadwayworld.com/montreal/article/MICKEY-JOE-GOOD-BAD-UGLY-DIRTY-Begins-AtTheatre-Ouest-End-In-May-20250430

What’s Happening in Montreal, May 2 edition - (Stuart Nulman's Grapevine)
https://stuartnulmansgrapevine.wordpress.com/2025/05/02/whats-happening-in-montreal-may-2-edition-2/

English theatre shines in Montreal by Richard Burnett - (Montreal)
https://www.mtl.org/en/experience/english-theatre-shines-montreal?fbclid=IwY2xjawJugYFleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHnQEi9wmfQwd-d0sssYvXIDbirwyFyKBB5BZgoEtXw9P7wQYo8am9URVPbb4_aem_B5UJy9JaEDbCKL1dBNFEYA

MICKEY & JOE (Good. Bad. Ugly. Dirty.) - QDF Digital Calendar 
www.quebecdrama.org/calendar
www.quebecdrama.org/calendar

M&J - Accenti Magazine International Festival of the Arts 2023 - (italocanadese.org)
https://italocanadese.org/2023/09/01/mickey-joe-good-bad-ugly-dirty/

Centaur Theatre's new playwright in residence is on the trail of her doppelgänger - Marilla Steuter-Martin (CBC NEWS)
www.cbc.ca/news/canada/montreal/centaur-theatre-writer-in-residence-michaela-di-cesare-1.5323780
​

​ARTICLES & INTERVIEWS IN ITALIAN:
Dietro le quinte di MICKEY & JOE GOOD BAD UGLY DIRTY - Vittoria Zorfini (CFMB AM 1280)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SDBw7yK3JRE&list=PLeCSVqTSUmVyR5BOIygTryarQ6JylLiKQ

MICKEY & JOE (Good. Bad. Ugly. Dirty.): la storia dell’Italia unita come non l’avete mai vista (Cittadino Canadese)
https://cittadino.ca/mickey-joe-good-bad-ugly-dirty-la-storia-dellitalia-unita-come-non-lavete-mai-vista/

Reviews

Jacqueline van de Geer - Un « spaghetti western » moderne explore la résistance à l’annexion!
https://lesartze.com/mickey-joe-good-bad-ugly-dirty
[EXCERPT]: Née en 1841 dans le Royaume des Deux-Siciles, Michelina Di Cesare est devenue une figure emblématique du brigandage post-unification. Bien plus qu’une simple rebelle, elle était une chef courageuse, une guerrière qui a combattu aux côtés des hommes pour défendre sa terre et son peuple. Tragiquement tuée à seulement 26 ans en 1868, ses actions ont fait d’elle une figure mythique, dont l’histoire, souvent passée sous silence, continue de captiver et d’inspirer.

155 ans plus tard, cette Dirty Mickey, cette paria dont l’existence fut effacée au profit d’une histoire glorifiée, se retrouve piégée dans l’au-delà avec son ennemi juré, Joe. Lui, l’icône du Risorgimento, le héros politique dont le nom est gravé dans le marbre de l’histoire.
Avec une dose généreuse d’humour et une théâtralité captivante, cette production ne se contente pas de raconter une histoire ; elle remet en question les récits établis de la conquête. L’équipe artistique de Mickey & Joe est un véritable melting-pot de talents italiens de première, deuxième et troisième générations.” 
Mary Melfi - an incredibly prolific writer of non-fiction, fiction, plays, poetry, and children’s fiction. Her work has been translated into several languages. She has had many critical essays written about her writing and she is the recipient of the Giornata Internazionale Della Donna Award.
​I was dazzled by [Michaela’s] performance in Mickey & Joe…fearless, without shame, vulnerable, gallant, clever and totally in control of [the] character. Not an easy feat.

The drama that unfolded on stage was at times savage but as there was a playful edge, it managed to evoke in the audience the sentiments typical of the Hollywood Western. The confrontations between Mickey & Joe, despite the deep differences in their outlook, remained civil. As Mickey's attempts to avenge her Southern countrymen and kill their political enemy could not be successful for obvious reasons (everyone knows the outcome), the audience couldn't help but sympathize with her. She definitely came across as heroic, rather than traitorous. Quite a few (perhaps the majority) of Southern Italians believe Garibaldi's war to unify the country did not benefit them. The area simply went from being colonized and tyrannized by one set of foreigners to another. This play is not for everyone -- it will appeal to those who like their plays intellectually-charged.”
Rosanna Micelotta Battigelli - A multiple award-winning writer. Her novel La Brigantessa (Inanna Publications, 2018) was awarded a 2019 Gold IPPY Award for Historical Fiction, and was a finalist for two Canadian Literary Awards in 2019. Pigeon Soup & Other Stories (Inanna, 2021) was honoured as a Finalist in the Fiction: Short Story category of the 2021 American BookFest Best Book Awards and the 2022 International Book Awards.
I attended the premiere performance of “Mickey & Joe” staged at Montreal’s Mirella and Lino Saputo Theatre last evening (May 17th). Playwright and actor Michaela Di Cesare drew upon her extensive research into her family history and ancestor Michelina Di Cesare—a brigantessa (female outlaw) who led a band of fugitives rebelling against the injustices suffered by the southern Italians as a result of the 1861 unification of Italy—to write and act in this powerful play along with classically trained Italian actor Matteo Cremon. (Directed by Daniele Bartolini.)

Di Cesare and Cremon’s performances were a tour de force, captivating me and the audience with their riveting and powerful dialogue and interactions, which illuminated the harsh reality of a time in Italy’s history that many wish to deny or forget. This is the period in which General Giuseppe Garibaldi was a key player in ousting foreign rulers from various regions and uniting the regions under King Victor Emmanuel II. It is a period marked by injustice towards the landless labourers of the south who were disillusioned when Garibaldi’s promises of land reforms—to provide them with a piece of land to cultivate in order to feed their families—did not materialize. Taxes imposed upon the southern regions ultimately enriched and advanced the northern regions, impoverishing the southerners even further. Peasants who rebelled against the harsh policies enacted after unification were pursued by the northern Piedmont government, who employed lawmen in the ruthless repression of these briganti or brigands. They were hunted down and exterminated in a bloody and turbulent period known as “The Decade of Fire.”

Di Cesare masterfully assumes the role of her ancestor Michelina Di Cesare who met a brutal end at the hands of the law in 1868. She gives the brigantessa a powerful voice in challenging the government’s narrative denigrating the southerners and glorifying Garibaldi. Michaela allows Michelina (“Mickey”) to reveal the truth and vent her rage at the merciless treatment and torture by those who killed her and countless other peasants fighting for justice. “Mickey” is brought to life by Di Cesare along with “Joe,” (Giuseppe Garibaldi, played by Cremon) who come together in several reincarnations to challenge each other’s motivations during and after the period of unification, as well as their roles and how they have been represented in history.

Di Cesare’s compelling play uncovers layers of the controversial events of Italy’s unification and the prejudicial divides resulting from the vilification of the southern Italians and the government’s actions to destroy the rebels and even their supporters and families. The depiction of the brigandess Michelina as a subversive and a whore, and General Garibaldi as a hero are deftly challenged as “Mickey” and “Joe” reveal and defend their roles in passionate exchanges.
This is a gripping, emotionally moving, and exceptional production, with stunning and unforgettable performances by Michaela Di Cesare and Matteo Cremon. Impeccably researched and written by Di Cesare and beautifully directed by Daniele Bartolini. Di Cesare’s use of her ancestor’s dialect in various scenes was brilliant, and the translations appearing on a filmy screen, along with occasional historical visuals, enhanced the production.

In the end, “Mickey’s” story demonstrates how governments use their power to rule, repress, suppress, and subjugate their citizens, perpetrating false narratives that cause division and hate. Despite brigantessa Michelina’s tragic history and end, Michaela Di Cesare succeeds in bringing light and justice to her ancestor. As Michelina was known as “the lioness of the south,” Michaela allows her ancestor to show her teeth and gain the redemption denied her in the past.

A powerful and passionate production that deeply moved me. Huge congratulations to Di Cesare, Cremon, Bartolini, and the production team of “Mickey & Joe!”

AUDIENCE REACTIONS

Mickey and Joe is such a cool and idiosyncratic fusion of history, documentary and revenge drama. I find myself reframing everything I thought I knew (admittedly not much) about Italy's unification. Because of its sweaty liveness, theatre imprints itself upon the viewer. I feel duly imprinted. And expanded. And was quite moved by Michaela's final monologue where she speaks about the role of 'ancestor'; and by extension the role of 'descendent'. Funnily enough, The Leopard has been sitting on my bedside table for about 2 years. Mickey & Joe has prompted me to finally read it! I'm so glad that Theatre West End did this show." - Nick Carpenter
Loved it. The two performers have amazing chemistry. The show is strange and important and powerful. You really don’t know what happens next and it’s not one to miss!”
​- Jesse Stong
Beautiful play, amazing actors and acting. Thank you for enlightening us about Michelina Di Cesare. There was nothing that wasn’t well done including the set design and costumes. Very much enjoyed it.”
​- Maria Baratta
Formidable soirée avec des acteurs de grand talent et une mise en scène exceptionnelle. Le texte de Michaela Di Cesare nous a permis d’entrer dans un segment de l’histoire de la réunification de l’Italie, jusque-là méconnue. Soirée mémorable. Bravo à toute l’équipe et quelle chance pour moi que d’être trilingue car la pièce se déroule en italien et en anglais.” - Carole Gagliardi
Last night was so special. It was beyond incredible to see this deeply personal work come to life. You had us laughing, shocked, entertained and you educated us. One of the many things that makes [this] play so special is that so many people can see themselves in the plight of the South, where white voices and faces have attempted to erase the darker “dirty” Terroni. Any person of colour, any disenfranchised group, any ethnicity or culture who has been pillaged by colonization would resonate with this in some way.” - Teneisha Collins 
I thought the multimedia aspect was so interesting, especially that intense and eerie conversation…I also thought it was so clever for Michaela to appear in the play— she starts the whole ordeal by “breaking” Michelina free and I think having her close the show made a lot of narrative sense. Honestly the whole play made me think about the fact that basically every character in history [becomes] an archetype for their own lives and we only get a very abstracted understanding of what these people were like." - Gabriel Giampa
What an absolute delight for ItaloQueer Montreal members to witness @michamusing ‘s new play MICKEY & JOE: GOOD. BAD. UGLY. DIRTY. 🎭🇮🇹🤠. A imaginative, surprise spin on old fables heard in memoriam, Di Cesare’s play examines the fundamental question of what it means to be Italian, in the most metaphorical and literal sense of the word. We wish her great success to come with this fabulous work! Some of us took to Café Milano after the show to share our thoughts on this great piece of theatre 🥪☕️💖” - Italoqueermontreal
Link to Italoqueermontreal post: https://www.instagram.com/p/DKFGWB2Rvq1/?img_index=1
Bravo to the team at TOE, cast and crew in Michaela Di Cesare’s new play at the Leonardo da Vinci theatre. An ambitious and highly original historical satirical romp about the legendary unifier of Italy and a fierce brigand who rises from the dead to puncture his false fame. This one belongs somewhere grand, like the Avignon Festival. I’ve never seen anything like it in Montreal. Mixes film and theatre brilliantly. Wish I could see it again. PLEASE do a remount at a theatre near me. I’m blown away!” - Marianne Ackerman
A fantastic production! Very intelligent writing and brilliant directing!!! Funny and poignant!” - Art Bee
Awesome production, acting, story telling...etc....days later it's still in our thoughts. Amazing as usual. Loved the dance music and dancing😍” - Mickey_g10
Masterfully delivered with power and conviction! We loved it! Not only [is Michaela] a talented playwright but also a superb actress.”
​- Mario Tirelli
What a behemoth of a two-hander. I really enjoyed the way you tackled the Southern aftermath that came with the Unification. [I also enjoyed] the themes of history, memory and legacy and what we choose to remember or disregard or even rewrite.” - Anthony Chiarelli
Eye opening show @michamusing ! Learned so much and you were mesmerizing! Your passion and portrayal absolutely did your character justice! Bravo!” - Antoinettefovero
I loved all of it. The drawer concept is genius. I thoroughly enjoyed the historical pictures and story. The chemistry between Mickey and Joe is incredible.” - Pina Di Genova
It was really well done, dynamic, creative, clever, funny, and above all really really moving. I had to swallow the lump in my throat at the end. Thank you for sharing Michelina’s story with us and bringing her to the forefront again. It’s always important, but especially important now that women’s contributions are literally being erased from history, just south of the border. You are doing your ancestors proud.” - Anita Maiezza

REVIEWS VIDEO COMPILATION:

https://www.instagram.com/reel/DKAd8pTx5eV/
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