University Theatre present commedia dell'arte classic with 'The Servant of Two Masters'

Assistant professor T. Anthony Marotta makes his directorial debut when University Theatre presents 'The Servant of Two Masters' beginning Oct. 7:

Regarded as one of the greatest Italian plays ever written, he said, "The Servant of Two Masters" is in the style of commedia dell'arte, a popular form of street theatre that, for hundreds of years, has featured broad comic characters in masks.

"Commedia characters were living cartoons before the age of film," said David Saltz, head of the department of theatre and film studies. "They seem incredibly familiar to us because the characters and plots are the basis for many of today's television sitcoms."

Recent successful productions both on Broadway and London's West End have renewed interest in the play, which centers on the character of Truffaldino. In a never-ending search for more food to put in his belly, he takes two jobs as the servant of two masters.

We cannot repeat enough what an immense privilege we have in the cultural offerings on campus. Live professional theatre is but one of these, but a treasured one it is. This production, updated with a 'steampunk' set, runs Oct. 7 through 11 and 13 at 8 p.m. with a matinee performance Oct. 13 at 2:30 p.m. in the Fine Arts Building Cellar Theatre. Book your tickets now.

Image: Freshman Theatre Major Brad Burnham performs as Truffaldino. photo by Kristyn Nucci.