‘Servant’ serves up plenty of bawdy humor, fun

By Guy D’Astolfo

YOUNGSTOWN — It takes about 10 bewildered minutes to catch up to the pace of “The Servant of Two Masters.” But once you’re up to speed, it’s a two-and-a-half hour funhouse ride.

“Servant” is a prime example of commedia dell’arte, a form of street theater popularized in Rennaissance-era Italy. Youngstown State University Theater is staging the comedy to immerse its students in world drama.

But audiences also benefit. The historical plays YSU stages are always among the most interesting of the season, and “Servant” is no exception.

“Servant” was written in the mid-1700s by Carlo Goldoni, but was given a modern-American update in recent decades, with many pop-culture references.

It’s got a convoluted plot involving love, deception and a servant who is secretly serving two masters.

It helps to know the storyline going in, but even if you don’t, you’ll pick up enough to enjoy it.

Besides, the plot is secondary to the rapid-fire — and rather bawdy — humor. This centuries-old play never pauses, even for a second. The characters are constantly talking while strutting and bounding across the stage.

Commedia dell’arte troupes performed in public areas in the daylight. To stay true to the era, YSU leaves the house lights up for “Servant.” The action takes place on a platform that slopes about three rows into the seats, and the characters move around the whole auditorium, entering and exiting through the aisles.

Commedia dell’arte is all about adapting stock characters to any plot, and that’s where the humor lies. At some point in “Servant,” you’ll get familiar with the uniquely bombastic personality of each actor ... and when you reach that point, the enjoyment is doubled.

Anyone who sees “Servant” will recognize the modern-day legacy of commedia dell’arte; the Marx Brothers and the Three Stooges are obvious descendants. There is a small group of porters who skulk about on the fringe of the action, going into mime bits that recall Groucho and Harpo. Other scenes have that woo-woo-woo slap-in-the-face slapstick of Moe, Larry and Curly.

The student-actors are lively, talented and uniformly terrific. Director W. Rick Schilling, who is the associate designer for the YSU theater department, has his fleet-footed (and quick-tongued) troupe exploiting every zany nuance.

At the center of the cast is David Munnell as Truffaldino the servant. I can’t image Schilling had to think too long before casting the madcap Munnell (thin as a rail, but eternally hungry), who is perfectly nutso in this clownish and very physical role.

But he’s not the only brilliant buffoon. Ryan Bissett (Dr. Lombardi, with a big nose) and Calvin Brown (Pantalone, with an even bigger codpiece), the fathers of the two main lovers, just get funnier as the show progresses. And Zach Campbell’s Florindo is a big-booted hoot in his scenes of distress.

Aaron Kubicina and Jennifer Tomerlin are excellent as the star-crossed lovers Silvio and Clarice. They may not wear masks (unlike most of the cast), but they’re not straight-men.

The cast also includes Courtney Auman (Beatrice, the only serious role); Maggie Gilmore (Brighella the cook); Rebecca Anderson and Kyle Metzger (Nora and Pandora); and Jake Rafidi, Cheney Morgan and Gary Copley (porters).

X“The Servant of Two Masters” will be presented in Ford Theater (Bliss Hall, Wick Avenue) at 7:30 p.m. tonight and Feb. 20 and 21; and 3 p.m. Sunday and Feb. 22. Call (330) 941-3105 for reservations.