Page 5 - Italian American Herald - March 2022

LOCAL
continued from page 3
In a Zoom interview with the brothers, Jeff credited producer Ciro Poppiti, a well-connected Wilmington lawyer and an actor for 30 years, for them spending more time on camera, such as clowning while making pizza and a “Rocky run” down Ninth Street in Philadelphia with former Eagle Vince Papale. And there exists footage of them sharing a cannoli, a la the dogs sharing spaghetti in Disney’s “Lady and the Tramp.” (Poppiti also suggested an on-screen cannoli count.)
They also credited producer Kurt Leitner, a Delaware native and production expert in L.A., for orchestrating their post-production work on “BIG CITY, Little Italy.”
The 50-something brothers trace their heritage to grandparents from Tuscany and Naples. Jeff has visited Italy 15 to 18 times (helped by his conversational skills in Italian). Nick has been just once.
“Growing up in and around Wilmington’s Little Italy had a profound effect on our lives. We have fond memories of going to DiNardo’s, Fusco’s, DiFonzo’s and Furio’s Pizza with our families,” Jeff said. “All of the places we cherished are no longer around.” Ditto for the Santoros’ produce market.
“After our parents and grandparents passed, many traditions we grew up with
also diminished,” Jeff said, with the brothers overlapping as they shared the story of going to Mass, stopping at DiFonzo’s and asking for permission to enjoy hot-out-of-the-oven rolls on the ride home.
“We miss the days of our mom and grand- mother baking in our childhood kitchen!” they reminisce on the film’s Facebook page, sharing a recipe for tarallucci with fans.
Jeff maintains one important tradition: hosting a Christmas Eve meal, usually with seven fishes. (If not, cue the lamentele.) And traditional gatherings all year: “lots of talking, hands rolling,” and always in the kitchen.
He then quoted nephew Ryszard Bialach: “There’s nothing better than family.”
Hence their search for traditions across America – and their encouragement for communities around the U.S. to grow and, if needed, restore their Little Italies.
“It was just amazing how much the Italian-American tradition and contribution to each town was known, and we love that,” Jeff said. “But we also want to say if folks don’t make some strategic changes and planning, their little Italy is going to eventually disappear.”
San Diego’s Little Italy, for example, went from almost nothing to 30 blocks of strength, he said. “I would love to see every big city have a Little Italy.” IAH
Nick (left) and Jeff Santoro take a respite from their feasting in San Diego’s Little Italy.
“Growing up in and around Wilmington’s Little Italy had a profound effect on our lives. We have fond memories of going to DiNardo’s, Fusco’s, DiFonzo’s and Furio’s Pizza with our families.”
–JEFF SANTORO
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