Growing Stage takes 'Commedia dell'arte' approach

Since 2009, The Growing Stage – The Children's Theatre of New Jersey in Netcong has offered young performers the chance to learn new and sometimes experimental techniques in theater.

For 2015, however, those tyro actors are learning a theater form that dates back some 500 years.

The technique: commedia dell'arte ("theater of the craft"), which originated in 16th Century Italy. Its characteristics include physical humor bordering on slapstick, a stylized approach to costumes and props, and the use of stock characters.

"A Night of Commedia dell'arte" consists of fanciful versions of Cinderella and Robin Hood, featuring a cast of about two dozen performers between ages 10 and 17. The production opens at The Growing Stage tonight.

Danny Campos, who runs the theater's Studio Presentation Series, says that teaching 21st Century teens about commedia dell'arte was a double pleasure. He himself had studied the style when he was a student at New York University.

"I've always been drawn to comedy," says Campos, who serves as audience development director for The Growing Stage, in addition to acting and directing main stage productions.

At the suggestion of Growing Stage founder and executive director Stephen L. Fredericks, Campos planned classes to teach the young performers the background and "rules" of commedia dell'arte. "It almost had the feel of a master class," Campos says.

"It's been fun because they're learning a new take on two famous tales," he adds.

In the Cinderella portion of the program, 10 students find new shenanigans for the familiar characters and situations, including a laugh duel, a fencing match with baguettes, and a "carriage" made from a shopping cart.

For Robin Hood, four different performers (in the stock roles of Columbine, Arlequin, Punchin and Rosetta) engage in even more outrageous hijinks, with the use of puppets, stilts, and mock combat.

In addition, an ensemble helps the cast with props and also assists with the on-stage costume changes. "The performers wear barebones black outfits, and they put on their costumes right in front of the audience," Campos says.

Though the commedia tradition may date back centuries, the young performers were able to relate to some of the conventions, according to Campos.

"You still see some of that slapstick comedy in movies nowadays," he says. "Even on the Disney Channel, a lot of the shows for the kind of physical humor that's typical of commedia dell'arte."

However, Campos stresses that this production is not a series of pratfalls and face slaps. Some of the humor relies on wordplay, and the Robin Hood segment includes a patter verse (not unlike the patter songs from Gilbert and Sullivan).

"This is a show where the parents in the audience will get the jokes, and the kids will pick up on the physical humor," Campos says.

Campos concludes that "A Night of Commedia dell'arte" represents the strength of The Growing Stage and its Studio Presentation Series as a way to cultivate young performers and young audiences.

"Our goal is always to expand the opportunities for our young performers to be on the main stage," he says. "The Studio series has been one way we've done that."

A NIGHT OF COMMEDIA DELL'ARTE

WHAT: Two familiar stories get a fresh approach as the tales of Cinderella and Robin Hood are combined with elements of commedia dell'arte, the classic Italian theater style known for its stock characters and its broad humor. The show is presented by young performers as part of the theater's Studio Presentation Series.

WHEN: 7:30 p.m. Fridays, tonight and June 12; 4:00 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays, June 6, 7, 13, and 14.

WHERE: The Growing Stage – The Children's Theatre of New Jersey, Route 183, 7 Ledgewood Ave., Netcong

TICKETS: $12

INFORMATION: 973-347-4946 and www.growingstage.com