In Pleasant Avenue, John Medici chronicles his experiences as the son of Italian immigrants, growing up in NYC's East Harlem. During his early years in the ninteen forties, fifties, and into the sixties, he witnessed great social changes. As he matured, Medici bristled against the isolationism of his Italian American neighborhood, often feeling trapped between modern society and the religious culture which his parents and community cherished. Pleasant Avenueis a candid examination of the psychological burden he carried during his first thirty years, when attempting to honor his parents' culture, yet live his own life.
Medici peppers his work with humorous anecdotes about family, neighborhood and his conflicts adjusting to East Harlem's bygone world of social mores. Pleasant Avenue, An Italian American Story also reveals his struggle, coming to terms with the Catholic Church's teachings; a stint as a novice in a Franciscan seminary was his solution for two years. On top of adjusting to cultural heritage and creating his own identity, Medici had to cope with the effects of alcoholism in the family. That is a different, legacy that he couldn't completely reject.
At the center of Pleasant Avenue is an honesty about culture, heritage, neighborhood and values; this honesty is usually covered over by sentimental nostalgia. Medici's story about a "Place, a Boy and a Family" is truthfu and a powerful revelation.
About the Author: John Medici has worked at diverse gigs, but considers two professions as lifetime careers -- actor, and teacher of both Theater Arts and English, at the college level. His New York acting training (Lee Strasberg), got him professional jobs; then later, he earned an MA in Educational Theater at NYU led to teaching. After years of work in Theater, Film and TV, he returned to school and received a Master's degree in English Rhetoric, from California State University, Northridge.
Medici has written and presented solo performance pieces, based on his life. AKA Medici, was the final title for a presentation which was performed more than a hundred times in Los Angeles. Building on that work was the inspiration for a full book, Pleasant Avenue.
Although he is a native New Yorker, Medici has lived for the past forty years in the L A area, now in Burbank, California. His wife Marcia and he have two grown daughters and three grandkids. They enjoy traveling, gardening, and entertaining friends and family, especially the old fashioned way, enjoying good food, having long dinners and talking around the table. No electronic devices allowed.
