Tracy Hazas as Mirandolina.
Mirandolina! Mistress of a Tuscan Inn: Comedy by Carlo Goldoni. Adapted and directed by Timothy Near., Center REPertory Company, 1601 Civic Dr. Walnut Creek, CA. 925-295-1413 or www.centerREP.org. April 7 –May 2, 2015.
Mirandolina! beautifully staged by CenterRep in Walnut Creek [rating:5]
PR releases for Mirandolina: Mistress of a Tuscan Inn state it is an adaptation by the legendary Timothy Near of a ‘literal translation’ by Lisa Gottreich. The question arises as to what constitutes a literal translation? Among the many synonyms of ‘literal’ are accurate, authentic, unvarnished and even simple. Take your choice while this reviewer opts for the unvarnished moniker since the production has enough innuendo with comedia del arte touches to keep you chuckling long after the curtain descends.
Timothy Near who directed this/her adaptation of Goldini’s comedy adds another star to her curriculum vitae after her stunning, award winning mounting of Rumors at CenterRep in 2012. She has brought along husband/CenterRep Artistic Director Michael Butler, Gabriel Marin and Mark Anderson Phillips from that show to fill key roles in this hilarious production. But the major accolades go to the ladies who put the egotistical male characters in their places even though they are theoretically the masters of women in this 1783 play.
Beautiful and independent Mirandolina (Tracy Hazas ) is running a Tuscan Inn at a time when women were considered incompetent to do so. She is in love with her handyman Fabzio (Ben Euphrat) whom she wishes to marry. Meanwhile the impecunious Marchese di Forlipopoli (Mark Anderson Phillips) and egotistical money-rich Count Cavaliere di Ripafratfa, (Michael Butler) vie for her favor. The foppish Marchese wants the dowery/money that will be attached to marriage with her. The Count, the cad, wishes her to be married so that he can take her as his mistress!
Then there is the professed misogynist Cavaliere di Ripafratfa (Gabriel Marin) who wants nothing to do with women. Don’t you just love the pompous male titles? He is about to get his comeuppance when Mirandolina cleverly tricks him into falling in love with her.
The pieces are not yet all in place since Goldoni introduces two beautiful actresses Ortensia (Lynda Di Vito) and Dejanira ( Lizzie O’Hara) to further complicate the plot as they side with the Count to throw all into further awry. Not to be forgotten is Center Rep favorite Colin Thomson playing Carlo, the Cavaliere’s Servant to add further humor to the plot(s).
Tracy Hazas is a statuesque beauty who plays the Mistress with authority and has comedic skills to carry off the necessary deception of Cavaliere who ends up unable to resist her. The accomplished Michael Butler adds the right schtick to his performance to steal more than one scene from his cohorts. You will not recognize
Mark Anderson Phillips as Marchese
Mark Anderson Phillips as he immerses himself in the foppish role of the Marchese but hardly comes off as second best. Then there is Gabriel Marin’s supercilious Count that often takes center stage bringing laughter with his asides to the audience. Dave Mair deserves a Tony for his staging of a duel to end all duels between Marin and Butler.
The duel to end all duels! Michael Butler and Gabriel Marin
To top all this great acting and directing are the stunning costumes by Victoria Livingston Hall and Nina Ball’s magnificent set with a central revolving stage that keeps the non-stop action zipping along at full speed even though the three hour running (with an intermission) time is a bit too much. Highly recommended. Your trip to the Lesher Center Rep venue will delightfully transport you to: The Age of Enlightenment, circa 1750. Mirandohina ‘s Inn, Florence, Italy.
Cast: Mirandolina, Tracy Hazas; Fabrizio, Ben Euphrat; The Marchese di Forlipopoli ,Mark Anderson Phillips; The Count di Albafiorita, Michael Butler; The Cavaliere di Ripafratfa, Gabriel Marin; Ortensia,Lynda Di Vito; Dejanira, Lizzie O’Hara; Carlo,the Cavaliere’s Servant,Colin Thomson; Luclo, a servant of the Inn, Joe Metheny; Sirena, a servant of the Inn, Kathryn Butler.
Creative Team: Directed by Timothy Near; Set Design by Nina Ball; Lighting Design by Kurt Landisman; Costume Design by Victoria Livingston Hall; Sound Design by Theodore J. H. Hulsker; Stage Managed by Nicole Langley.
Kedar K. Adour, MD
Courtesy of www.theatreworldinternetmagazine.com
