Madonna performs at the Wells Fargo Center on Tuesday, Aug. 28, 2012, in Philadelphia. Image: Evan Agostini/Invision/AP Pop superstar Madonna spent her 66th birthday at Pompeii in Italy and donated to a local theater project supporting at-risk kids, the archaeological site said Saturday.
The Material Girl visited the famed Unesco site Friday night with her entourage, meeting a group of teenagers involved in “Dream of Flying,” a theater project organized by the Pompeii museum that involves local youth in cultural presentations. “As made known during the meeting, the artist decided to support the project..
. financing the entire year 2024/2025,” wrote the museum in a statement. Pompeii’s director, Gabriel Zuchtriegel, gave Madonna and her group a private tour, after which some of the young actors presented a sampling of their work.
Fans had waited for hours outside the complex’s entrance to catch a glimpse of the singer. Organizers said the project, now in its fourth year and with a budget of about 250,000 euros, has involved about 300 teenagers and children from the area, who take part as actors, musicians, and writers. After a premiere at Pompeii’s large theater this year, the project toured Bologna and Ravenna, with a performance in Vicenza scheduled for the fall.
Next year’s play has not yet been chosen, but would likely be a comedy by Aristophanes, Pompeii site organizers said. The text will be amended by the children “to give voice..
. to their experiences.