DENNIS ODA / DODA@STARBULLETIN.COM M. J. Gonzalvo, left, plays Jacob Marley and Angela Crowley plays Ebeneezer Scrooge in "Duck, Duck, Scrooge."

Commedia dell’arte
visits Dickens

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By Shawn "Speedy" Lopes
slopes@starbulletin.com

For the uninitiated, commedia dell'arte may seem like another archaic, highfalutin' theater term. Yet, according to Tony Pisculli, director of "Duck, Duck, Scrooge: A Commedia Christmas Carol," were it not for the advent of radio or television, the centuries-old format might still be the preeminent form of entertainment. "It's about 400 years old," said Pisculli. "It dominated theater in Europe for a couple hundred years. It was the most popular form of theater probably in history."

For the next two weekends, audiences can experience this popular, age-old style of theater as this comic production loosely based on Charles Dickens' "A Christmas Carol" plays at the ARTS at Marks Garage.

Literally translated, commedia dell'arte means "comedy of art," or "skillful comedy." In contrast to commedia erudite, or comedy of the educated class, commedia dell'arte has always strived for broad appeal. "(Performers) really had to be outstandingly funny to get attention when they weren't confined to a theater. What they came up with really works."

The concept is simple, Pisculli says. "It's the stock characters, it's the outrageous masks and the crazy antics. It's just a very successful formula." Also, the humor involved, whether crude or witty, is always accessible.

"I think the best modern parallel is 'The Simpsons,' " says Pisculli. "You look at all the lowbrow stuff that is in there; all the fart jokes, the slightly naughty language and the pointless violence and cruelty to other people, which we find amusing but also disdain. Yet, at the same time, it's very warm and it's very intelligent. Kids can watch it and love it and adults can watch it and love it. Commedia works the same way."

While reliant upon stock characters and theatrical devices like handmade masks, commedia dell'arte is also very adaptable. Improvisation is a key element, but does not dominate the format. "It's not improvised to the extent that a typical Loose Screws show is," explains Pisculli, speaking of his comedy improv troupe which handled "Duck, Duck, Scrooge" last year. "You're going to see the same story every night; it's always going to be 'A Christmas Carol' with all the same characters, but the dialogue every night may be different; it may be tweaked. It has a lot of flexibility which comes from not being driven by a script at all."

In lieu of a script, performers are simply given a scenario outlined by entrances and exits. "I think it makes it very, very repeatable," he adds. "Because you can go and see the same story with a different group of people and the scenes you enjoyed are probably still there, but there are always going to be new twists."

Those who enjoyed last year's sold-out performances should also enjoy this year's production, which Pisculli expects to be much different. "We trimmed it back quite a bit and really focused on the essentials of the story. It's streamlined and faster." Also, Pisculli says this year's cast will rely a bit more on physical comedy. "The improvisation comes in making a connection with the audience and discovering in the moment what is funny and what is not, as opposed to being clever on stage."

Same play, different dialogue Lizard Loft Presents: "Duck, Duck, Scrooge: A Commedia Christmas Carol" Where: The ARTS at Marks Garage, 1159 Nuuanu Ave. When: 8 p.m. today and tomorrow, and 4 p.m. Sunday. Schedule repeats the following weekend. Tickets: $10 Call: 536-8047

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