Commedia dell'Artichoke
Closed 1h 15m
Commedia dell'Artichoke
82%
82%
(6 Ratings)
Positive
100%
Mixed
0%
Negative
0%
Members say
Raunchy, Clever, Entertaining, Quirky, Hilarious

About the Show

Frances Black Projects presents a new comedy, with a contemporary take on commedia dell'arte, about love, dreams, pizza and trying to make it in New York.

Read more Show less

Critic Reviews (6)

Theatre is Easy
January 21st, 2016

"If you’re in the mood for some bawdy laughs at the expense of others, 'Commedia dell’Artichoke' is the show for you. The writing is fun and flowing, showing the potential of intensely collaborative projects like this one...The seamless inclusion of improvisation throughout scripted scenes is a testament to the actors’ investment in the piece, and makes for a unique show every night."
Read more

Theater Pizzazz
January 27th, 2016

"Irreverent, salacious, and completely of the norm 'Commedia dell’Artichoke' is as original of a take on an old form as is topping a pizza with creamy artichokes...The mark of great theater of this variety is in the evening feeling more like a dialogue than a monologue. Audiences should leave feeling addressed, acknowledged, and performed for. When watching 'Commedia dell’Artichoke' you may deceive yourself into thinking the entire evening was tailor made for you only."
Read more

Off Off Online
January 22nd, 2016

"The multiple cooks have created a farrago of nonsense, wordplay, awkward situations, and bawdry that may approximate the Renaissance version. But Brain allows several scenes to go on too long. Even if it doesn’t all hang together, the audience seemed to have a roaring good time. If you appreciate scattershot, loosey-goosey comedy, then 'Commedia dell’Artichoke' may be to your taste."
Read more

Pataphysical Science Blogspot
January 27th, 2016

"It's hard to know who contributed what, especially because the cast is so skilled at improvising that it all seems like part of the script. I didn't look closely at my program before the show, so I was sure there were six to eight actors performing. It was only during the curtain call that I realized there were only four."
Read more

O
January 22nd, 2016

"You are in for a treat. 'Commedia dell’ Artichoke' is a fast paced all-mask comedy about a pizza shop owner in NYC who is getting evicted because the landlord is raising the rent...The show shamelessly goes on any delightful tangent that the audience allows it to, and thats the ride you sign up for when you see 'Commedia dell’Artichoke.' But these tangents are vital and each seemly random bit is carefully crafted by these amazing and well-trained performers. "
Read more

New York Theatre Review
December 20th, 2014
For a previous production

"This premise serves as a loosely guiding structure to have lots of stupid fun inside these ridiculous characters, challenging themselves to lazzi after lazzi...Light on plot but high on effort, this show is particular in its tastes. It’s a vehicle showcasing the possibilities of this theatrical form...If you are interested in the contemporary possibilities of commedia dell’arte, or you just like some entertainment with your slice, I encourage you to take part in this adventure."
Read more