Write Act Repertory Theatre (Hollywood, CA)
George Herman's A Company of Wayward Saints follows a troupe of amateur dramatists who attempt to put on "The History of Man" in a last ditch attempt to buy their way back home by gaining the patronage of a wealthy Duke. But to a group of actors far too selfish, self-important and self-indulgent to work together this proves to be a challenge they may never overcome.
Event summary prepared by the Goldstar Editorial Team.
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The last event was Saturday August 2, 2008 / 8:00pm. (view all dates)
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An interesting think piece using commida d'arte modernized for today. Good overall performances by the actors, especially those playing Haraquin and colembine. First act was really a set up for the first. I might give three stars for the second act alone.
The script was not very good. The actors did a good job with what they had, though, on the whole.
Material used for this performance was grating and unpleasant. Some of the troupe did appear to be talented, but the play itself was not well chosen to showcase that talent.
Generally excellent acting, but the script doesn't deliver.
I enjoyed it very much. The first act felt chaotic and it wasn't unitil the second developed that I realized how intentional the chaos was. It was very entertaining and well worth the price, even before the discount.
The actors portraying Harlequin, Scapino, Colombine and Pantalone were especially good.
LOL FUNNY! ANDREA PANDAZEDES PEFORMANCE IS AWARD WINNING!
George Herman's A Company of Wayward Saints follows a troupe of amateur dramatists who attempt to put on ‘The History of Man’ in a last ditch attempt to buy their way back home by gaining the patronage of a wealthy Duke. But to a group of actors far too selfish, self-important and self-indulgent to work together this proves to be a challenge they may never overcome. In the first act they parody various events in the history of man, from Adam and Eve to the assassination of Caesar, before falling out, falling apart, and coming back together to focus on the more insightful aspects of human life as they explore 'The History of A Man.'
“In our production, we didn't want to lose the historical value of Commedia dell'Arte but understood that this is a play about actors, real people, who play comedians,” states director Joe McClean. “This gives each actor a huge canvas to paint on. Each of them plays an actor who is, in a sense, himself in real life. On top of that is their commedia archetype.
These archetypes have been performed for hundreds of years but are most recognizable to a modern audience in roles like Groucho Marx, playing the archetype of Harlequin, Ginger from Gilligan's Island, playing an aspect of Ruffiana, and Gaston from Beauty and the Beast, very much playing a Capitano.”
Commedia dell'arte is the art of improvised comedy, which dates back to 16th century Venetian society and is traditionally performed in masks. It mocks hierarchical society and each stock character represents and parodies different social stereotypes, from the learned doctor who knows everything and nothing, to the worldly tart who flirts incessantly with the audience. The army, the law and the clergy are all ridiculed. Obligatory sacrilege and ritual profanation prevail, as love becomes promiscuity; the very notion of order disappears. Its influences on today’s society are profound, from Punch and Judy and the Circus to Blackadder, which mocks hierarchical society in a very comedic fashion.
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