Bringing on stage a written, direct and interpreted text is already a challenge. Doing it in English, in Los Angeles, and receiving a prize for the best theatrical comedy over the border is even more. It is the story of Daniele Vagnozzi, a young actor, director and Italian author who with his show “All well but not well” conquered public and jury at the Italian Comedy Festival in Los Angeles, receiving the award Comedy Beyond Borders. A career that combines art and introspection, theatre and psychology, Italy and the United States.
Receiving a prize at the Italian Comedy Festival in Los Angeles for a show you wrote, directed and interpreted is a difficult emotion to describe. Can you tell us?
The show titled “All well but not well” and received the recognition “Comedy Beyond Borders” as the best theatrical comedy that has distinguished itself beyond the border. In Italy the show has had a great success and has become, since 2025, a production of Marche Teatro. For this occasion I translated it into English and staged at the Marilyn Monroe Theatre of the Strasberg Institute, a legendary place where sacred monsters such as Al Pacino, Robert De Niro and Meryl Streep were formed. It is an experience that I will not forget easily.
How was this show born?
All well but not well was born two years ago from a question that I asked myself: “If you were the therapist of yourself, what would you say?” It is a monologue that explores, with irony and depth, the often rocambolistic relationship we have with our mental health.
What is your artistic and personal journey?
I am actor, director and author. I graduated from the Accademia dei Filodrammatici in Milan and obtained a master degree in Psychology at the University of Bologna. Psychology is my great passion: represents a particular look through which I observe and tell the world.
What is this award for you?
Receiving this recognition is for me confirmation that telling true stories, on urgent topics, allows you to get to everyone, everywhere in the world.
You already have a connection with Los Angeles?
Yeah, I came to Los Angeles for the first time two years ago to visit a part of my family. Here we breathe a special ferment. In Italy I work both at the theatre and at the cinema: I collaborated with Neri Marcorè, Edoardo Leo, the Rai in the series “Il Paradiso delle Signore” and in the film “Champagne” by Cinzia TH Torrini, as well as being protagonist of the film “La spiaggia dei gullni” on Prime Video.
Do you want to thank someone for this experience?
Absolutely. I must thank Marche Teatro, who supported me from Italy and with which I am already in production with my new show “Emotions to drink”. A special thanks also to Roberta Sparta and his Sparta Productions, an Italian producer in Los Angeles, who helped me and supported me in this adventure. With her I share a dream in the drawer: transform “All well but not well” into a movie or TV series. We’ll see how it’s going… for now I’d say it’s all right — indeed, great!
We’ll see you in Los Angeles soon?
I really hope so. This city has a unique energy and every time I come back I feel inspired.
The article “All well but not very well”: the Italian comedy that conquers Hollywood comes from IlNewyorkese.
