This Just In! Early Praise for Servant of Two Masters

We had such a fantastic opening night with Servant of Two Masters!  I'm not sure who had more fun- the audience or the actors.  Well, we do know that the critics enjoyed it.  Take a peek at what they have to say, and click the links to see the entire review.  We have absolutely nothing to hide with these reviews!

Highly Recommended! "The folks at Piccolo Theatre have emerged as one of the few theatre troupes skilled and disciplined enough to create wonderful Commedia dell’Arte."
-Tom Williams, chicagocritic.com 

Recommended! "Omen Sade is a spectacular highpoint as the title servant. Sade is more than just quick on his feet--he exemplifies physical comedy."
-Dan Jakes, chicagoreader.com

Photo by REP3.com

"...a kinetic exploration of the art of performance...This successful venture is another testament to Mr. Szostek and his cast's love of performance."
-Brian Murphy, Evanston Roundtable

"...A fresh, delightful, and laugh-out-loud funny production. Physical comedy is the order of the day, and director John Szostek has brilliantly coordinated the interactions of a very energetic and acrobatically talented cast."
-Laura Kolb, centerstagechicago.com

"...this company performs pure “Commedia dell’Arte”! And what they do is sheer perfection." -Alan Bresloff, aroundthetownchicago.com

Photo by REP3.com

"This The Servant of Two Masters offers an embarrassment of comedic riches." -Tom Wittom, Evanston Review


"...[Omen Sade] really got to the heart of Truffaldino, and the quick physical movements, the flights of fancy, and the schemes.  He was a delight to watch. -Adam Gertsacov, www.clownlink.com

"...the production delivers charm as well as energy. The simple pleasure of buffoonery – that is the hearty spectacle that Piccolo achieves in its economically tiny space."
-Paige Listerud, chicagotheaterblog.com

Photo by REP3.com

Now what are you waiting for?  Don't get caught in the "I'll buy tickets later" trap. Get them today, and laugh with us soon! 

Piccolo Box Office: 847-424-0089 or online at www.piccolotheatre.com 

Commedia Character Shorts- Pantalone (Chapter 2)

Pantalone!

You will see a lot of this hilarious character in Servant of Two Masters!  Pantalone is thought, for the most part, to be based on the old Venetian merchants and tradesmen, known for their stingy and less-than-pleasant personalities.  Pantalone is entirely fixated on money and ego, and has the highest regards for his intelligence, but is actually somewhat stupid. He is fond of food and pretty women, gullible, hot tempered, and the butt of every conceivable kind of trick. (If you read last week's post on Arlecchino, you can guess who will be instigating most of these tricks....) Pantalone is usually the father to one of the lovers, and driven to arrange a suitable marriage for his offspring. In this play, it is the sweet and simpering Clarice.  Pantalone is presented either as a widower or bachelor, and despite his age, makes numerous passes at the women within the commedia world, though he is always rejected.  Despite his sinister and often inhumane treatment towards his fellows, Pantalone is perceived to be a pivotal part of commedia. His importance is represented in almost every commedia production; and following tradition, we place him at the beginning of our show to introduce the comedy.

• Pantalone's costume consists of tight red trousers or stockings, a long, loose black cloak with free-flowing sleeves, a brimless red hat and slippers.  He usually wears a giant codpiece to advertise his virility (which everyone knows to be long gone) and wears a pouch of money on his belt that usually hangs suggestively next to his cod piece
• Pantalone's mask has a long, hooked nose and small, beady eyes and a moustache, which is part of his mask
• This character moves very stiffly and walks hunched over to show how old he is and possibly to also better protect his money pouch.  His knees are bent and his feet shuffle quickly along the ground.  His hands and arms also move quickly, often gesturing wildly.  At bad news (usually that he has lost a coin), Pantalone is prone to heart attacks, falling onto his back with legs up like a beetle, stuck there until someone comes by to help him.

Here's more from the hilarious Lucero Less, who plays Pantalone in our production.



Opening night for Servant of Two Masters is quickly approaching, Friday, February 25!  (Which non-so-accidentally also happens to be World Commedia Day.)  We are READY to have you rolling in our aisles. Visit the Piccolo Theatre Website for information on how to get your tickets today.

And check back here for the next installment of Piccolo's Commedia Character Shorts, to get some thoughtful info one set of our Lovers.

A Piccolo Panto Dame

The Panto Dame is one of the most loved characters in every panto Piccolo Theatre has produced. She's bawdy, flirtatious, big-hearted, and doesn't mind being the butt of everyone's jokes. She is also usually the first character to connect with the audience and her goofy charm welcomes everyone into the fractured and fun world of the Panto. Piccolo has had the good fortune of having three extraordinary men step into this role. Artistic Director John Szostek, Ensemble Member Glenn Proud and Piccolo's dear friend Andrew Roberts have all donned massive amounts of makeup to hit our stage as Panto Dames.

John Szostek as the Dame in Piccolo's 2005 Panto, Mr. Punch or Jack and the Blase Bride
All photos in this post by rep3.com














I recently talked to Glenn Proud, director of Robin Hood: The Panto! about his experiences playing the Dame at Piccolo pantos Sinbad and Robinson Crusoe. I think you'll get a kick out of his responses.


Denita: As an actor, why is playing the Dame attractive to you?
Glenn: The attractive thing about playing the Dame is that you as an actor can really do NO wrong. She's a character that lives both in and outside of the world of the play, which provides an actor the freedom to stop the action and take control of the stage. It's role that's well suited for a "Ham" actor. Who doesn't love getting laughs and attention?

Denita: Which Dame was your favorite to play?
Glenn: Dame Emphasema from Sinbad.

Glenn Proud as Emphasema














Denita: Did you research any famous Dames to prepare yourself for the roles? If so, who influenced you?
Glenn: I always do research when preparing for a role, and past Dames are my biggest inspiration for my style of make-up. The influences for the Dame characters I create are Monty Python (anytime the men play the women), Hyacinth Bucket from Keeping Up Appearances, Mrs. Slocombe from Are You Being Served?, and countless crazy old women that I've studied while working in a doctors office for ten years.

Denita: What is the biggest challenge for an actor playing the Dame?
The biggest challenge I had was overcoming my fear of talking directly to the audience in the opening monologue of the shows.

Denita: What is the funniest thing that happened to you on stage while playing the Dame?
Glenn: That's a really hard question. I can't really isolate a specific instance, but the most fun I had was working with my wife, Deborah in Sinbad. She played the character Sinbad and I was playing Emphasema. There were some great moments where we'd start to bicker at one another in "character" and she once called me out in front of the audience for referring to her as a "Her" when in fact she was playing a "He." The entire audience started laughing including Deborah. I could just feel my face blushing from under all that makeup. I was speechless for once in my life.

Denita: Is there anything specific that you do/did to get ready to prepare yourself to go on stage for performances?
Glenn: I'm a rather "method" actor when it comes to my process, and once I have all my makeup and hair in place, and in my dress, I'm in character till the end of the evening. I play a lot of grab ass backstage, it helps keep the character feisty.


To see the hilarious Andrew Roberts play the Dame in this season's Robin Hood: The Panto!, check out our final weekend of performances.

Andrew Roberts as Bess Flatbottom in Robin Hood: The Panto!

Robin Hood: the Panto! a Must See!

Whether you are the type that likes to research before heading to a show, or if you just want to bask in the loveliness with us, you should check out what critics are saying about Robin Hood: the Panto! Click on the links to see the full reviews.


A "Must See" Show! "Jessica Puller's script...captures the fun-loving spirit of the panto. All the actors throw themselves wholeheartedly into their roles. Amy Gorelow and Vanessa Hughes, the ugly sisters/forest sprites, work together in perfect sync like the best comic duos, and Ben Muller's germophobic villain/Guy of Gisbourne injects just the right amount of wide-eyed crazy into his part. ...the audience was rolling in the aisles from beginning to end."
- Lisa Findley, CenterstageChicago.com

"Really. Go. Take the kids. Take anyone who needs a good laugh. For your helping of holiday cheer, this is the genuine article!"
- Patricia Simms, LaSplash.com


"...the cast excels at driving a sassy pace and playing every moment with gusto. What is even more important is the spot-on improvisation and interaction with the audience that they deliver....memorable moments include Noah Ginex’s magic scene and puppetry design, as well as Vanessa Hughes and Amy Gorelow playing the evil spirits of the Dark Forest, busting out a power ballad just like the 1980’s duo, Heart. But the show really is about the pact between audience and players to have a ridiculous, raucous good time. To that end, bring your friends and family. And watch out for the whipped cream."
-Paige Listerud, Chicagotheatreblog.com



"A Hoot and a Holler!" - Katy Walsh, The Fourth Walsh, ChicagoNow.com

"Performed with unstoppable gusto and unfailing impudence...louder than life and beautifully burlesque." - Lawrence Bommer, SteadstyleChicago.com

Piccolo takes you way back to the beginning...

Piccolo Theatre proudly presents

Low Pay? Don't Pay!
by Dario Fo

The first production in our hilarious and triumphant 10^th Anniversary season. A decade after breaking into the Chicago theatre scene with this legendary comedy (under the former title of “We Won’t Pay! We Won’t Pay!), the time is ripe to bring it back to Piccolo’s stage. John Szostek, Piccolo’s Artistic Director, directs a skillful all-ensemble cast in the American premier of Fo’s fresh new adaptation.

Housewives Antonia and Margherita, fed up with high prices in the supermarket, take matters into their own hands and “liberate” some items from the local grocery store. Keen to hide their light-fingered antics from their hot-headed moralist husbands, Giovanni and Luigi – not to mention the police – the women are forced to resort to more and more inventive hiding places, as slapstick confusion leads to rollicking chaos.

If the economy has you down, this energetic and pointed farce
will cheer you up ‘Fo’ sure.

Sept 10-Oct 23, 2010

Previews Sept 3-5 Fri/Sat at 8pm, Sun at 3pm

Evanston Arts Depot, 600 Main St., Evanston

Tickets $25 for Adults, $20 for Seniors, $15 for Students, call for group rates

Call for reservations 847-424-0089 or order online www.piccolotheatre.com