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The Light of Love
A dazzling commedia del’Arte romp!
Conceived and directed by Sam Wooten and Ned Record
Produced by Promethean Theatre Ensemble
At City Lit Theatre
1020 W. Bryn Mawr
Chicago, IL
Call 773-305-2897, tickets $20
Thursdays thru Saturdays at 8 pm
Sundays at 2 pm
Running time is 1 hour, 40 minutes without an intermission
Through November 11, 2007
Innovative new commedia dell’arte show delivers loads of laughs
The young theatre troupe, Promethean Theatre Ensemble, wisely decided that Chicago needs to experience the genius of authentic commedia dell’arte. So Sam Wootten and Ned Record (both European trained in commedia dell’arte) conceived and directed a fresh and wildly funny comedy, The Light of Love. The show is a hoot proving that it still works if you use the classic forms, characters and traditions that have had audiences laughs for hundreds of years.
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To their credit, Wootten and Record have written a fresh new comedy while adhering to that form. The result is an amazingly funny show. The players work extremely hard combining slap-stick, physical movement, word-play, over-the-top antics, bits and business and down right silliness to grander laughs. Written for the 21st Century, The Light of Love contains many contemporary references as well as enough stock Commedia characters and situations to please the purist patrons of the 16th Century art form. With terrific musical underscoring from Dawen Wang on acoustical guitar and flute and several cute songs with the players dressed in classical 16th Century costumes, The Light of Love captures us from the start and easily wins us over.
Audience involvement runs deep as does the wildly funny word play that has Dottore (Mark Soloff) mispronouncing every work that comes in his head. There is Pantalone (Tom Weber) dedicated to warming up the audience.
Synopsis: (from the press notes) “This particular adventure follows bumbling servant Arlecchino (Brianna Sloane) as he tries to win the heart of his beloved, Columbina (Kate Mettam), by finding her a night-light by which to read her guilty pleasure books at bedtime. This seemingly simple task sets him off on a journey that visits Doctors, Captains, and the realm of gods and mythological heroes, from the town square to Mt Olympus, and even the Underworld. This epic journey is juxtaposed with an all too familiar story of lovers in love overcoming the obstacles of everyday prejudice and pride to find their way to togetherness, with a little help from their friends. Ultimately, the Light of Love shines through, and all's well when you believe in the power of love.”
I was impressed by several elements: the shadow puppets (design by Daniel Roberts) and the execution of the shadows puppets was terrific. The outstanding masks (by Jeff Semmerling) and the costume design by Nikki Delhomme worked nicely. On the whole, the comic acting produced many laughs. Commedia dell’arte is a tough, physically demanding art that few players can master. This troupe had mixed success. Mark Soloff (Dottore), Derek Jarvis (Capitano), Brianna Sloane (Arlecchiono) and Kate Mettam (Columbina) were particularly funny. I sure hope Promethean Theatre Ensemble produces more commedia shows since this promising production indicates their talent for the demanding art form. The Light of Love could use a 10 minute trim and the troupe needs quickly move on when a bit doesn’t get laughs. Experience and larger audiences could solve that.
I enjoyed this clever, well organized and energetic show. It is funny and faithful to the art form. Kudos to Wootten and Record for raising the bar—we need a commedia dell’arte troupe to keep alive a worthy form of comedy. Come and laugh and have a good time by seeing The Light of Love. You’ll smile as love triumphs.
Recommended
Tom Williams
Tom99@chicagocritic.com for comments
Talk Theatre in Chicago podcast
Date Reviewed: October 28, 2007
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