From ‘The Servant of Two Masters’ Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey. Pictured (left to right): Jay Leibowitz as Pantalone de Bisognosi, James Michael Reilly as Truffaldino, and Aurea Tomeski as Smeraldina. Photo credit: Jerry Dalia.
The Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey officially opened their Outdoor Stage production last night with The Servant of Two Masters. Although there was a need to have one 15-minute rain delay, it did not dampen the enthusiasm of the actors or the audience. It looked a shaky a few times after that, but the audience did not want to leave. They just raised their umbrellas to hold off a few drizzles and continued to enjoy this production. When you can spend a summer evening with the Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey outdoors, you don’t give it up especially when a production like the one presented last night is on.
Background
The Servant of Two Masters was originally written by Carlo Goldoni sometime around 1745. It stands as his most popular and beloved work. Regarded as the most important Italian dramatist of the 18th century, Goldoni wrote over 150 plays. He renewed and transformed the Italian Commedia dell’Arte style and is often considered the founder of Italian realistic stage comedy.
This version is translated and adapted by Bonnie J. Monte, Artistic Director of Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey. According to notes available on the Company’s website, Ms. Monte “tried to honor his (Goldoni) attempt to humanize and deepen the stock Commedia characters, as well as depict the bridge he created between the old Italianate style and his new one—one very much influenced by Molière and the English comedies of manners.”
Doug West, who is in his 17th season with The Shakespeare Theatre, serves as Director of this show. He also is the Associate Director of Education in addition to being one of the company’s resident directors.
About the Show
In a word, the show is terrific!
The Servant of Two Masters uses several comedy devices that make it very funny. There is a degree of slapstick that is used at times especially involving people carrying trunks, the suitcases of the time. Additionally, the use of characters stepping towards the audience and in some cases breaking the fourth wall is hilarious as they feel the need to explain why they are doing something. These explanations are humorous especially when the action is so obvious one doesn’t need it explained. But that does add to the humor of it.
The story involves a great amount of mistaken identity. It also uses the concept of leaving out just enough words so that the entire meaning of what needs to be said is not in order to further the quest of a character. For example, Truffaldino tries to hide that he is working for two different people. When someone approaches him and says something like “give this to your master,” he never asks which one. He covers his tracks by biding time. If the wrong master gets the item by mistake, he might tell them that another servant must have given to him by mistake. The other servant of course does not exist and he is told to find this person, but of course never can since it really is him.
The story line is fairly easy to follow. It involves a couple, Clarice and Silvio, who get engaged. Their happiness is short lived when Truffaldino, servant to Federigo, arrives. He dispels the idea that his master is dead. This is bad news for Clarice because she had been promised in marriage to Federigo. Everyone demands that Truffaldino bring his master in which he does. However, it is actually Federigo’s sister Beatrice in disguise who Truffaldino just started working for. Of course no one had actually ever met so this works out. Pantalone, Clarice’s father, declares the original marriage back on.
Beatrice set out to find her lover, Florindo. Federigo had been against his sister marrying Florindo. Florindo killed Federigo in a dual. He fled right afterwards. Now with him dead, she goes to find him. Meanwhile, Truffaldino works not only for Beatrice, but also for Florindo. But neither knows that their servant is doing this. It takes quite awhile for everyone to figure out who is who but once they do, there are a number of very happy people.
Another thing that makes this show so enjoyable is the dialog. It has been adapted and translated to reflect some parts of the time period from which it comes, but it has a contemporary sound to it. There are many, many funny lines in it. Some you can just see coming after awhile because the characters are developed in a pure and consistent manner.
The cast is superb. They look like they are having a good time doing this show and that adds to the enjoyment as well. Marking his 25th anniversary with The Shakespeare Theatre, James Michael Reilly plays the servant, Truffaldino. Izzie Steele plays Beatrice Risponi. Tug Rice plays Floerindo, Jay Leibowitz is in the role of Pantalone de Bisognosi. Raphael Nash Thompson portrays Dottore Lombardi.
Aurea Tomeski .plays Smeraldina and Connor Carew plays Brighella. Russell Sperberg plays Silvio. Rounding out the cast is Miranda Rizzolo who makes her STNJ debut as Clarice.
A special round of applause goes to the Maid played by Abby Carroll and the two Porters/Waiters played by Alexander Emond and Benjamin Lang. All three of these fine aspiring actors are Members of the 2018 Summer Professional Training Program. They all did a fantastic job of getting the audience to laugh and respond through their actions and facial expressions. It’s great to see the next generation of actors doing such fine work.
The Outdoor Stage becomes a little corner of Venice, Italy by the creative talents of Scenic Designer Jonathan Wentz, Lighting Designer Rachel Miner Gibney, Costume Designer Paul Canada, and Sound Designer Warren Pace. The Production Stage Manager is Christine Whalen.
Additional Information for The Servant of Two Masters
Running Time: Approximately 2 hours and 15 minutes which includes one 15-minute intermission
Location: The Outdoor Stage is located on the campus of the College of Saint Elizabeth. Look for The Greek Theatre in Morris Township, 2 Convent Road, Convent Station, NJ
Seating: There are several options including bringing your own low seating chair, cushions, or renting one there. Consult the page, The Outdoor Stage on the Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey’s website for best information.
Performances: Tuesdays through Sundays at 8:00 p.m., with a special twilight performance on Sundays at 4:30 p.m. now through July 29, 2018,
Be sure to check Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey’s website for their inclement weather and cancellation policy.
Contact for Info and Tickets: Patrons can purchase tickets by calling the Box Office at 973-408-5600 or online at www.ShakespeareNJ.org.
Special Ticket Pricing: The Outdoor Stage is generously sponsored by Bank of America. Bank of America customers can purchase tickets for the Outdoor Stage for only $28 using the promotional code BOFA. Patrons can also present their bank cards at the Box Office to obtain this offer.
Once again there are free tickets for young people 18 and under. Sponsoring the free ticket initiative for young audiences in part is by The Merrill G. and Emita E. Hastings Foundation and Newman’s Own Foundation.
Suggested Audience: Good fun for anyone who enjoys comedy and light-hearted shows.