‘The Four Seasons’ Favorite Marco Calvani on Belting Shania Twain, Lessons From Tina Fey and Portraying a Healthy Gay Open Marriage

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At the Cannes Film Festival, various voices from around the globe could be overheard chatting at beachside hangouts, queuing for films, and yelling at lively post-screening events. However, one voice stood out with its infectious enthusiasm – the spirited Italian tone of Marco Calvani.

For many years, a well-known European playwright found himself cast in Tina Fey’s popular Netflix series “The Four Seasons” during the summer season. Following this unexpected success, he traveled to the South of France where he was actively involved in the preparation and marketing of his upcoming directorial project.

In the show, Calvani portrays Claude, a character who is Calvani’s onscreen husband to Colman Domingo and sometimes the odd one out in a group of friends that includes Tina Fey, Steve Carell, Will Forte, and Kerri Kenney. Calvani delivers an outstanding performance as Claude, a character who is genuinely optimistic and sometimes overly dramatic. He’s a refreshing presence, with exaggerated hand movements, and a hilarious, unforgettable rendition of Shania Twain’s songs that will make you cringe but also leave you in stitches. This role is Calvani’s take on Alan Alda’s character from the 1981 film adaptation penned by Tina Fey.

In Cannes, I had a chat with Calvani about Season 2, his long day on set belting out Shania, and the unique portrayal of two men in a strong, open gay relationship that the show offers.

During our meeting in Cannes, Calvani and I talked about Season 2, his marathon shooting day performing Shania, and the distinctive way the series depicts a healthy, open relationship between two men.

Both sentences convey the same information but have slightly different tones and structures to keep the text engaging and easy to understand.

“Before ‘The Four Seasons’, your work was more on the serious side. Was it that you were looking forward to a chance to explore comedy?”

This version maintains the original question’s tone while using simpler, more conversational language.

My life and career have taken an unexpected turn from what I initially envisioned. I’ve been out of acting for 15 years now, but I started as a playwright 20 years ago. Writing, directing, producing, and financing plays, especially in Europe, isn’t a walk in the park – it demands a lot of time, energy, and sleepless nights. The roles I encountered as an actor didn’t resonate deeply with me. I didn’t find roles that allowed me to fully express my heartache, joy, or true emotions. Most people who know me well would describe me as a joyful, bubbly individual. Over the years, many have inquired about why I haven’t written a comedy, but it doesn’t seem to tap into my inner turmoil. However, “The Four Seasons” has given me an entirely new outlet for self-expression.

In this circle of friends, you’re the only one who isn’t American, and there seems to be a slight age difference between you and the others. Initially, this might give off an impression of being less serious. However, as the first season unfolds, Claude proves to have a strong emotional presence that ultimately becomes his unique strength or advantage.

This isn’t your typical run-of-the-mill comedy. The scripts are packed with energy, but I didn’t fully grasp Claude’s significance until the show premiered. Since then, people have been approaching me on the street and messaging me on Instagram, expressing their affection for him. It’s only now that I understand the character from the original film was written as a vehicle for ethnic stereotype jokes. In this reimagining, Claude transforms into a symbol of genuine individuals everywhere. He’s not just about enthusiasm, loudness, and love; he also embodies forgiveness. He doesn’t harbor grudges. Some might see that as shallow, but it means fewer wrinkles on his forehead.

You’ve done a great job with the character development. How has the audience response been?
Living in L.A., I rarely walk anywhere. So being here in Cannes is surprising, as people keep stopping me to talk. There are people from Norway, Turkey, France, and all around the world. It seems everyone wants a piece of Claude – they’re seeking a connection with him.

It was intriguing to watch Tina’s character distance herself from Claude throughout the season. She seems weary of him. However, it appears that he embodies all she isn’t – she is jaded and harbors grudges. Do you think their relationship improves by the end?

OR

The way Tina’s character pushed Claude away during the season was fascinating. She clearly doesn’t care for him much. Yet, it seems that he represents everything she isn’t – she is cynical and holds grudges. Do you think they manage to reach a better place by the end?

It seems there’s plenty of room for further development between these two characters. In the final scene, there’s a poignant moment that’s quite subtle – almost unspoken. Her phone has been damaged by water, and he protectively wraps it in a bag of rice for her. This tender act reveals a depth of care towards her for the first time. I can only hope their relationship deepens more.

Did you consider that by showcasing a non-traditional marriage on screen, you might be presenting something unfamiliar to the predominantly older, white, heterosexual audience? Since the open nature of your relationship is not the main focus or conflict in your storyline, it adds an element of beauty and modernity.

It’s somewhat unexpected that this gay couple is deeply involved in a social circle primarily consisting of six people, among whom are three heterosexual couples of a certain age. However, the narrative frequently mentions Danny and Claude’s vibrant group of attractive gay friends who remain unseen throughout the story.

It’d be quite amusing to run into them. However, going back to your previous remark, Tina intentionally made all those changes. She aimed to rework the “Four Seasons” and incorporate a same-sex couple, as she wanted this work to mirror her own life. She has many gay friends, and the addition of an interracial couple within this duo has had a profound effect. My acting in this piece is heavily influenced by the authenticity of my personal life as a gay man, my relationship with my spouse, and my friendships.

In my humble opinion, let’s delve into the unforgettable rendition of Shania Twain’s “You’re Still the One” that you so gracefully delivered during the vow renewal ceremony. It was nothing short of a comedic spectacle!

In a nutshell, let me share some insights about that particular scene we filmed:

– We invested quite a bit of time on it – approximately three hours.
– I was under pressure since I’m not a professional singer, but surprisingly the extras seemed to be enjoying themselves immensely. They even encouraged me, which made the experience feel more like a lively concert than a casual backyard wedding ceremony.
– One unique aspect of this production is the stunning set design. Not all sets are as impressive as this one.
– During a visit, my managers dropped by for an hour but ended up staying the entire day. They found it reminiscent of an independent film set.
– The atmosphere was filled with humility, camaraderie, and unwavering support from Tina’s company (Netflix) and Universal. There was no trace of ego on this set.

What’s the biggest lesson you learned from her about comedy?

She’s exceptionally astute and never misses a beat. She’s decisive about her desires. She’s the dominant figure in the production, always in the spotlight. Her presence instills a sense of warmth, generosity, and compassion.

What are your hopes for Season 2?

It’d be interesting to catch up with Danny and Claude’s circle of friends, who happen to be a group of gay individuals. However, it seems they’ve recently welcomed a new addition – a baby. I can sense that Claude might grapple with his longing for family in the storyline. Additionally, it would be nice to see more scenes featuring Ginny (Erika Henningsen), as we’re somewhat on the periphery of their group.

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2025-05-23 16:47