Ā鶹Ćā·Ń°ęĻĀŌŲBoulderās 2016-17 theatre season continues with a heartwarming, hilarious production of ā,ā a classic Italian commedia dellāarte by 18th-century playwright Carlo Goldoni. Performances of the play, directed by Ā鶹Ćā·Ń°ęĻĀŌŲAssociate Professor Tamara Meneghini, take place Oct. 19-23 in CUās Loft Theatre.
Through physical comedy, masks and period-appropriate music, āThe Servant of Two Mastersā tells the story of the servant Truffaldino, who wreaks havoc when he attends to two different masters at the same time. With the electric energy and extreme farce that only commedia can supply, Truffaldino pushes the limits to appease his masters and his growling stomach, falling in love all the while.
āItās really just a classic, fun comedy,ā Meneghini says. āThe students and I leave rehearsal every night laughing and smiling.ā
Meneghini describes the playās humor as the kind of good, clean fun people of all ages can enjoy.Ģż
āEveryone in the audience will be able to identify with the characters on stage largely because Goldoni did such a good job of creating such believable characters dealing with rather unbelievable situations,ā Meneghini says. āHe gives us all permission to laugh at ourselves.ā
If the good-hearted humor doesnāt hook you, Meneghini is certain the centuries-old, rarely seen performance technique will. In true commedia dellāarte style, four of the characters wear colorful masks and have to rely on body movements to express emotions and tell the story. The result, Meneghini says, is captivating.
āThis style is one of the hardest things an actor can possibly do,ā she says. āIt is difficult for even the best actors to pull off. I think itās incredibly valuable for these acting students to learn how their body serves them in creating a character.ā
Meneghini says sheās perhaps most excited about the role music plays in this production. The comedy called for two distinctive types of live performance: In one scene, characters with more status enjoy a baroque minuet, while in another, two servants join together to sing a rollicking folk song from Italyās Bergamo region. The play also features 18th-century Italian arias, a Venetian folk dance (called the furlana) and a guest appearance from guitarist Rick Pruitt, known all over the West for his exceptional musicianship.
āBetween the music, the movement and the masks, I think itās going to be a ton of fun,ā Meneghini says. āThereās not enough joy in the world, and I want to change that.ā