By Julie Sharp, On-line Forty-Niner
May 7, 1997
The witty wise guy, Scapino and his motley crew are exuberantly brought to life by the University Players this week in its production of "Scapino!" at the Studio Theatre in the Theatre Arts Building.
The physical comedy of "Scapino!" creates a forum for the actors to express their acrobatic ability, agility and strength while attempting to play along with Scapino's diabolical schemes.
"Scapino!" written by Jim Dale and Frank Dunlop, takes place in Naples Italy and was inspired by Moliere's "The Trickereis of Scapin," that was written at the turn of the century.
This madcap comedy revolves around the timeless conflict of the free will of the young breaking loose from parental control.
Scapino, played by David M. Brown, paradoxically is an ingenious simpleton who revels in conflict to amuse himself. Brown's performance as the meddling Scapino is so physically complete that it almost becomes exhausting to watch him. He moves fiercely around the stage, sometimes in circles, climbing the poles, running off the stage and jumping back on, continually drawing the audience's attention.
Scapino's working partner Sylvestro, played by JD Sanchez, gets the audience in an up-roar of laughter in his tough guy scene. Scapino gives Sylvestro a crash course on how to act like a chollo - a street fighting gangster that will scare even the meanest Italian.
This scene begins to burst with physical comedy when Scapino tells Sylvestro to drop his pants. Sylvestro lowers his pants to the off-the-hip level, with boxers popping out of the top and attempts to refine the tough guy walk and talk. Sanchez creates a ruckus of laughter in the theater with his performance.
Scapino's friends, Ottavio played by William Arnold and Leandro played by Jon Breeden, are two hapless men who are in love with women who do not meet their father's approval. The sons then fall out of their father's blessings.
They stumble into the caring hands of Scapino who attempts to help them pursue their true loves rather than the women they are arranged to marry.
Performances are today at 6 p.m., Thursday through Saturday at 8 p.m. with a Saturday matinee at 2 p.m. A street fair with jugglers, mimes, acrobats and fortune-tellers will be held in the lobby 40 minutes prior to each performance.
Admission is $8 for students and $10 for the general public. Tickets can be purchased at the Arts Ticket Office in the Carpenter Performing Arts Center. For ticket information, one may call (562)985-7000.