Best Theater and Dance Shows of 2023: A Year of Reckoning

The 2023 theater and dance scene in Italy saw a return to pre-pandemic vibrancy, but also revealed a divide: some artists abandoned the stage entirely, while others returned with traditional or self-referential approaches, showing indifference to reality. Among the standout productions was "Anatomia di un suicidio" by Alice Birch, directed by lacasadargilla (Lisa Ferlazzo Natoli, Alessandro Ferroni, Maddalena Parise) and produced by Piccolo Teatro di Milano, featuring three generations of women on stage. Another highlight was the rock opera "Lazarus" by David Bowie, directed by Valter Malosti and produced by ERT/Emilia Romagna Teatro, starring Manuel Agnelli, which premiered in Italy for the first time. Marta Ciappina performed a piece based on Annie Ernaux's novel, created with choreographer Marco D'Agostin. Angélica Liddell presented "Caridad," a work about the death penalty featuring a bright red guillotine, blending visual art, performance, and philosophy.