Performed at the MILWAUKEE REPERTORY THEATER
February 24 - March 28 1999 MRT
The Video of the performance
is available at the Lincoln Center
in New York, NY.
"Servant of Two Masters" was written by 18th-century Italian playwright
Carlo Goldoni in a distinctive regional style, commedia dell'arte. The
style had significant influence on Western theater and comedy. Goldoni's
plays have survived, but their American productions are neither frequent
nor particularly proficient in the commedia style. Few American actors
have the training to be authentic commedia performers. Ernst and his colleagues
in the Rep's "Servant" cast are the exception to that. Landi and Mandolini
are recognised as international experts in commedia dell'arte.
Lee Ernst: his facile ability with this difficult and foreign style of
highly physical acting is nothing short of brilliant. The large cast supports
him with a marvellously gleeful and enthusiastic spirit of theatricality
and fun.(More) Damien Jaques Journal Sentinel theater critic February 28, 1999
A unique group of American and Italian artists join to produce in the
US highly professional and successful performances based on the Commedia
dell'arte Style.