Brother Sun Sister Moon arrives on stage 800 years after Saint Francis
A theatrical version directed by Piero Maccarinelli adapts Zeffirelli's film (1972); premieres in Assisi and starts the tour on October 4 in Massa, with Giulio Pranno.
The show "Fratello Sole Sorella Luna", inspired by Franco Zeffirelli's film (1972), premieres in Assisi and begins its tour on October 4, 2026, directed by Piero Maccarinelli with Giulio Pranno in the role of Saint Francis.
Meta description: A show directed by Piero Maccarinelli adapts Zeffirelli's film (1972); premieres in Assisi and starts the tour on October 4 in Massa, with Giulio Pranno.
The project
Fratello Sole Sorella Luna gains a theatrical version in the format of a commedia con musiche, an adaptation starting from the original screenplay by Franco Zeffirelli, Suso Cecchi D'Amico and Lina Wertmüller. The direction is by Piero Maccarinelli, with dramaturgy developed by Angela Demattè, who reinterprets the cinematic material for the contemporary stage.
The production is a co-production between International Music and Arts, Agidi, Fondazione Sipario Toscana Onlus - La Città del Teatro and Oliver and Friends. According to ANSA, the project aims to maintain the visual and symbolic spirit of the 1972 film while incorporating a musical staging and comic elements to bring the figure of San Francesco closer to today’s audience.
The adaptation seeks to translate to the stage the spiritual and communal dimension of the Franciscan life, exploring both hagiographic episodes and dialogues that reference contemporary social themes, in a language designed for diverse audiences—from religious attendees to theater and history enthusiasts. To follow other cultural topics and events in Italy, see more in Notícias da Itália and in our section on Vida na Itália.
Premiere and tour
The production premiered in Assisi with the sponsorship of the Comitato Nazionale San Francesco 1226-2026, marking 800 years of Saint Francis’s public presence in Italian culture. According to ANSA, choosing Assisi as the premiere stage reinforces the historical and symbolic link between the production and the Franciscan territory.
The national tour begins on October 4, 2026, at Teatro Guglielmi in Massa. The program includes a series of Italian cities, covering both large theaters and regional centers: Novara, Milan, Aosta, Bergamo, Florence, Rome, Turin, Genoa, Bologna, Varese, Catanzaro and Vicenza. The tour was planned to reach diverse audiences and urban contexts, broadening the public debate around the figure of Saint Francis.
The programming and specific dates in each city were announced by the production and local partners; for practical information on travel and accommodation during the tour, readers can consult our guides in Vida na Itália. Those following cultural news and shows can also access ongoing coverage in Notícias da Itália.
Cast and highlight
In the principal cast, Giulio Pranno plays Francesco, while Ksenia Borzak takes on the role of Chiara. Pranno’s presence, an actor with visibility in contemporary projects, was highlighted by the production as a way to bring the historical figure of Saint Francis closer to younger audiences. The show also lists Massimo Wertm in the credits, according to ANSA.
The production balances historical dimension with contemporary relevance: by retelling episodes from Saint Francis’s life, the creators place the character in dialogue with current issues—public spirituality, social commitment, and relation to nature—without sacrificing humor and the musical character of the concept. This strategy aims to transform the hagiographic narrative into an accessible show, capable of provoking reflection and entertainment.
In addition to the main cast, the piece involves musicians and a core of performers who integrate choral scenes and evocative stage moments, following the tradition of religious-popular theater that engages audiences of various ages.
Cultural relevance and reception
Launched in a milestone year, the production sits among cultural initiatives that reassess the figure of Saint Francis across multiple artistic languages. The choice to adapt a landmark Zeffirelli film for the stage opens space for debates about cinematic memory, religious patrimony, and contemporary forms of historical representation.
Critical and audience reception at the early performances in Assisi was covered by national outlets; according to ANSA, the premiere drew interest for its scale as well as its musical and lighthearted approach. The continuation of the tour will allow assessing the work’s resonance across different regional contexts, from large urban centers to local stages.
For readers interested in topics at the intersection of culture and citizenship—including how cultural events can affect perceptions of identity among descendant communities—we recommend consulting our Cidadania Italiana section for related news.
Conclusion "Fratello Sole Sorella Luna" arrives on stages as a theatrical and musical reinterpretation of a classic Italian film, aiming to bring Saint Francis closer to the contemporary public in a national tour starting on October 4, 2026. The production promises to blend historical reverence with dramaturgical invention, directed by Piero Maccarinelli and featuring Giulio Pranno.
Source: ANSA
