Delbarton’s fall play, “The Servant of Two Masters” by Carlo Goldoni, will be an undoubtable, unforgettable hit. Drawing on the Italian tradition of commedia dell’arte, the Delbarton Abbey Players will grace the stage with this theatrical masterpiece. Director Matt Corica has created his own adaptation of the play for this production, and has imbued it with a farcical flare that will leave the audience weak from laughter.

Much of the comedy in “The Servant of Two Masters” relies on the characters’ physical movement and interaction with each other. With scripts in hand the show is nearly impossible to choreograph, so as we enter our fourth week of work, it’s a race to memorize lines and cues. A common misconception is that “funny” means “easy.” That is not the case. In fact, putting on a successful comedy can be more difficult than putting on a more dramatic show, because in a comedy, timing has to be perfect so that the jokes land well and the energy level stays high. The Abbey Players welcome this challenge and are extremely excited to continue work on the play.

I will play Truffaldino Battochio, the title character, around whom all of the play’s mishaps, complications, and deceptions revolve. I am thrilled to be playing this role and eager to perform alongside my fellow actors. As “The Servant of Two Masters” is my last fall show at Delbarton, I feel a tinge of bittersweetness in every line, every laugh, every direction from Mr. Corica. I am determined to make my performance as Truffaldino one of my best yet, and to leave my mark on Delbarton’s stage before I move on to college and other musical endeavors.

“The Servant of Two Masters” will run for three performances: Friday, November 3rd (evening), Saturday, November 4th (evening), and Sunday, November 5th (matinee). Ticket information will be available soon. Here is a brief exposition of the play:

When Federigo Rasponi is murdered by Florindo Aretusi, his (Federigo’s) betrothal to Signore Pantalone’s daughter, Clarice, is called off. Beatrice Rasponi, Federigo’s sister and Florindo’s lover, disguises herself as her dead brother and travels to Venice. There she intends to “marry” Clarice in disguise, collect the dowry payment from Pantalone, and use the money to find Florindo, who disappeared after he murdered Federigo. Meanwhile, Pantalone has promised Clarice’s hand in marriage to Dr. Lombardi’s son, Silvio. On the way to Venice, Beatrice hires Truffaldino Battochio, a wily, spontaneous servant who always finds a way, often unwittingly, to create mischief and conflict.

When Beatrice, disguised as Federigo, arrives at Pantalone’s, the company is shocked to find that he is, to their knowledge, still alive. As Pantalone had originally promised Clarice to Federigo, he calls off Clarice’s engagement to Silvio. Clarice is distraught and Lombardi and Silvio become livid. While waiting for Beatrice on the streets of Venice, Truffaldino happens upon Florindo, who has fled to Venice. Seeing an opportunity to double his wages and his meals, Truffaldino becomes Florindo’s servant, in addition to serving Beatrice. Truffaldino continually lies to cover up his stunt, thus advancing the plot and instigating hilarity.

Want to find out how this mess resolves? Come see the Delbarton Abbey Players’ performance of “The Servant of Two Masters”!