Seven Angels Theatre in Waterbury is staging the world premiere of “Love and Spumoni,” running Thursday, Jan. 30, through Sunday, Feb. 23. The equity production has many local ties to the area. Actor Maria Baratta, who plays Mary Lou, is originally from Waterbury. The story itself is based on students at Waterbury’s Sacred Heart High School. Playwright Jacques Lamarre is from Connecticut.

Mary Lou Piland, who wrote the novel, is also originally from Waterbury and actor Danté Jeanfelix is a Connecticut native. Monica Furman plays the teen Mary Lou. Sasha Bratt is directing. It’s the 1980s in Waterbury. What does that mean for teenager Mary Lou? Big hair, a big Italian family, and her first big crush.