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The Servant of Two Masters - Foibles of a Lovable Double-Dealing Rapscallion

 

John Dolphin (Dr. Lombardi), Johnny Patalano ((Pantalone), Cody Ickes (Silvio) and Todd Foose (Truffaldino) Credit: Lara Rogers

    The plot of Carlo Goldoni’s 18th century farce, The Servant of Two Masters, is a mental tongue twister with so much tomfoolery going on watching it onstage is like returning to the mind set of your early post-adolescent years.

    The Pittsburgh Savoyards decided to start their 86th season on a comedic note, assembling a cast of twelve to pull off the ribald farce by a playwright Voltaire called "the Italian Moliere."

    Be prepared to follow the humorous antics of Truffaldino, an opportunist with a habit of getting into very awkward situations as he juggles and manipulates his way out of impossible dilemmas after signing on to work for two demanding masters, neither of whom know about the other. For just how long can he keep the secret of his double-dealing on the DL?

    The audience is required to watch the proceedings with tongue in cheek, a stance easily taken that reaps a trove of entertaining moments and fun-filled episodes.

    The playful narrative spotlights a young couple, Clarice (Kat Bowman) and Silvio (Cody Ickles) about to get married. Clarice’s intended spouse-to-be has been killed in a duel, but his sister, Beatrice (Wendy Parkulo) has arrived on the scene, dressed in male attire to impersonate her deceased brother, which throws all nuptial plans with Silvio into disarray.

Kat Bowman (Clarice), Cody Ickes (Silvio), Johnny Palatano (Pantalone), John Dolphin (Dr. Lombardi) and Deborah Geary (Brighella) Credit: Lara Rogers

    Soon Florindo (Matt Henderson) arrives and enlists the eager Truffaldino into his service. Florindo is both the duelist who killed Beatrice’s brother and her lover as well as Clarice’s formerly betrothed suitor, although he and Beatrice are unaware that both have now separately arrived in Venice.

    Greedily wanting to double his wages, Truffaldino also decides to work for Beatrice, which gives rise to some difficult situations into which the harassed Truffaldino wittily extricates himself time and again.

Matt  Henderson (Florindo), Todd Foose (Truffaldino) and Wendy Parkulo (Beatrice) Credit Lara Rogers

    If the plot has the feel of a complex narrative, rest assured it’s easily understood as director Andy Kirtland establishes the kind of balanced pace that’s both accessible to comprehension and swift enough to keep things mentally challenging.

    Fortunately, the Savoyards cast just the right actor in the title role of the servant as Todd Foose has all the necessary attributes to sculpt the right image of a quick-witted rascal with a penchant for comedy. Under his sway, the rest of the cast seems to relax and enjoy performing their roles, which only adds to the production‘s sense of levity.

    As the maid Smeraldina, Kelsey Rhea adds just the right amount flirtatious suggestion to her role, and Deborah Geary as the innkeeper is one of the evening’s stronger personalities.

Kelsey Rhea (Smeraldina) and Todd Foose (Truffaldino) Credit: Lara Rogers

    Cody Ickes as Clarice’s beloved, Silvio, vacillates convincingly between devoted lover and petulant cad, depending on the circumstances of the plot, while Kat Bowman seems to be enjoying her role as the young maiden just beginning to flower romantically.

    Wendy Parkulo is solid as the cross-dressing Beatrice, capitalizing on the irony of her gender-bending circumstance that confounds, confuses and delights, all at the same time.

    Matt Henderson as the much put upon master survives Truffaldino’s shenanigans and missteps and skillfully manages to evoke some of the evening’s most hilarious moments.

    Johnny Patalano as Clarice’s father handles the diplomacy demanded of his character with commendable talent, adding humorous touches when called for, and John Dolphin as Silvio’s much humiliated father bears the ignominy of his son’s ruptured wedding plans with a touch of realism tempered with a flair for farce.

    Costumer Michelle Grey-Schaffer adds to the realism of the narrative with what seems a closet full of appropriate attire. And kudos to the cast who manage to add and subtract a minimum of props and furniture on and off the somewhat constricted stage with a minimum of effort and without being overly disruptive.

    Anchored by the superb rendition of the Truffaldino character by Todd Foose, the play is a commendable effort overall and is sure to be an audience pleaser throughout its run.

    The Servant of Two Masters is at the Margaret Partee Performing Arts Center, 523 Lincoln Avenue in Bellevue through July 29. For tickets, go to pittsburghsavoyards.org.

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