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Performing artist Aaron Cromie, Bi-Co Theater Program bring commedia dell'arte to Goodhart stage
Beginning next week, the Theater Program of Bryn Mawr and Haverford Colleges will present The Love of Three Oranges, a rarely performed masterpiece of the commedia dell'arte directed by Philadelphia-based theater artist and visiting professor Aaron Cromie. Performances run April 4-6 and 10-12 at 7:30 p.m. in Bryn Mawr's Goodhart Theater.
Written on a dare in 1761 by Carlo Gozzi, The Love of Three Oranges tells the story of a melancholy prince who becomes enchanted by a wicked witch and must undertake a fantastic adventure in search of three oranges. Absurdity ensues as the prince and his companion contend with scheming courtiers, an evil fairy, a mostly competent magician, and three very thirsty princesses.
Cromie chose The Love of Three Oranges after writing a play about the famed rivalry between Three Oranges playwright Carlo Gozzi and Carlo Goldoni. In the mid-1700s Goldoni was the most celebrated playwright in Italy. His realistic portrayals of Venetian society, while extremely popular, were a departure from the traditional commedia dell'arte, which relied heavily on actor improvisation, fantastic scenarios, masks, and low humor. Gozzi was an aggressive critic of Goldoni, whose plays he considered unimaginative and a negative influence on Italian theater. When Goldoni challenged Gozzi to write his own plays, Gozzi responded with The Love of Three Oranges, a satirical dramatization of a well-known children's fairy tale, peppered with insults aimed at Goldoni and his contemporaries. The play was a huge success, and so disgusted Goldoni that he left Italy, never to return.
Aaron Cromie's interest in the commedia dell'arte began almost a decade ago when he received a fellowship to attend the Dell'Arte International School of Physical Theater in Caifornia. He has since studied mask-making in Italy with the commedia master Antonio Fava and has won acclaim throughout the United States and in Europe as performer, designer, writer, director, choreographer, and musician. He is a founder of Hotel Obligado, a unique physical theater ensemble in Philadelphia, and a senior lecurer in mask performance at Philadelphia's University of the Arts. This semester he lends his considerable talents to Bryn Mawr both as guest director and with the class "Masks, Puppet Design, and Performance."
The Three Oranges stars Melanie Bafitis '11, Julia Brady '11, Laura Bryson '11, Katie Croyle '11, Caitlin Elizondo (HC '11), Elizabeth Elliott '08, Dan Harvester (HC '11), Allison Keefe '11, Emily Letts (HC '11), Elizagrace Madrone (HC '09 ), Alison Mouratis '11, Rebecca Siegel (HC '10), Aditi Vashist '08, Conor Weiss (HC '10), and Kati Zaylor '11. The production is designed by Hiroshi Iwasaki, lighting design is by Matt Sharp, and stage management is by Christina Smith '09.
Tickets for The Three Oranges are free for Tri-Co students, faculty, and staff and $5 for the general public. Children are welcome. Seating is limited, and available on a first-come, first-served basis. Reservations are strongly suggested. Email theater@brynmawr.edu, or call 610-526-5210.
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Posted 3/27/2008 by Claudia Ginanni