Artwork attributed to Dagoberto Jorge

We are fortunate that Composer Frank DiGiacomo enjoyed the guidance and care of his maternal uncle, Dr. Joseph Epolito. Dr. Epolito was a professor of theater arts, and a professional actor, under the stage name of Joseph Eppert, who, with his sister, Angel Maluda, often took young Frank into Manhattan for the boy’s first experiences of Broadway and the exciting worlds of theater and opera.

These outings broadened and deepened the composer’s understanding of these rewarding art forms, and his uncle’s knowledge and taste added to the young composer’s artistic discernment.

In later years, Dr. Epolito commissioned his nephew to write incidental music for selected plays he was currently directing which he felt needed musical enrichment.

These plays were:
Wedding Band by Alice Childress premiered February 1976 at Western Illinois University Theatre.
Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare premiered May 1977 at Western Illinois University Theatre.
All the Way Home by Tad Mosel premiered July 1979 at JMKAC Summer Theatre.

The performances of all three sets of incidental music were conducted by Erwin R. Vrooman.