Wednesday, February 19, 2003

WILMINGTON, NC – The University Theatre will present Servant of Two Masters Thursday, Feb. 27, through Sunday, March 2, in Kenan Auditorium at the University of North Carolina at Wilmington. Shows of this bawdy comedy will start at 8 p.m. Thursday through Saturday with a 2 p.m. matinee on Sunday.

Performed in the style of Commedia Dell’Arte, Servant of Two Masters is a comic tale of disguise and deception. Written by Carlo Goldoni in 1744, the play centers on a man, Truffaldino (Michael Rosander), who decides to work “overtime” by simultaneously and secretly serving two masters: twice the wages and twice the food and drink. Truffaldino’s escapade is complicated by multiple love triangles including his passion for Smeraldina (Pamela Redford), maidservant to Signor Pantalone dei Bisognosi (Daniel Marks). Pantalone’s daughter Clarice (Li Clapp) finds herself betrothed to both Silvio Lombardi (Cory Howard) and Beatrice Rasponi (Holly Sansone), masquerading as her brother Signor Federigo Rasponi.

Frank Trimble, chair of the UNCW Department of Communication Studies, directs the cast of 12 undergraduate performers. Senior Jonathan Scholten designed the scenery. Tommy Macon and Scott McElheney, professors in UNCW’s Department of Art and Theatre, served as costume designer and lighting designer, respectively.

From Shakespeare to the Marx Brothers, Commedia Dell’Arte has influenced Western theatre history. This exuberant Italian form of theatre emerged in the streets, markets and fairs during the 16th century. It is characterized by the use of masked performers, stock characters, comic sight gags and improvised comedy.

Admission is $8; $2 for UNCW students with valid ID. For groups of 15 or more, tickets are $5 per person. For more information, contact the Kenan Auditorium box office at 910/962-3500. This production is intended for mature audiences.



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For more information, contact Tom Macie, professor in the UNCW Department of Art and Theatre, at 910/962-3446.