A troop of 20th century vaudeville actors travel to Venice and proceed to perform this Italian Renaissance Commedia dell’Arte comedy. The hero is the leading lady Beatrice’s servant Truffaldino, always complaining of an empty stomach. When an opportunity presents itself for him to be the servant of a second master, he see the chance, not for trouble, but for two dinners instead of one. He runs around filling orders and is repeatedly handed letters and money with the simple directions, this is for your master. But which master? The situation is complicated by four lovers, one in disguise, all staying at the same inn.

    Actors who owned the best costumes were often cast in the particular and specific comic roles, playing them their entire lives. These beloved stock characters have survived to this very day as  Shakespeare and Moliere borrowed, for their plays, these basic human things, being in love and having adventures. Buster Keaton and Robin Williams have brought these characters to the 20th century. Often the character can say or do something that would land an ordinary mortal in jail. Contrary to what American audiences expect to find in modern plays, thinking doesn’t matter here, this is about telling a story in movement. The translators Jeffrey Hatcher and Paolo Emilio Landi were careful to keep the same number of lines and the same rhythm as the 1753 original.

Presented by:    
Avenue Players Theatre
March 
Wed 26, Thu 27, Fri 28 evenings 7 pm
Sat. 29, Sun 30 matinees 2 pm

April
Thu 3, Fri 4 evenings 7 pm
Sat 5, Sun 6 matinees 2 pm

At: The Leepa-Rattner Museum of Art
St. Petersburg College, Tarpon Springs Campus
600 Klosterman Road

Complimentary mini tour of the Museum
1/2 hour before each performance, refreshments.
Following the performance:
Drawing for Goldoni’s Gift and talk back with cast & crew.

Tickets: Members and Students $10 Non-members $12
Box office: 727-712-5762