Commedia dell'Artichoke NYC Reviews and Tickets
Show-Score Member Reviews (6)
See it if you want to laugh! Plenty of them to be had here. Masterful expression of the legendary comedic form. Delicious slice of pizza a bonus!
Don't see it if you're not into sexual innuendo, as it's pretty salacious at times. Rapid-fire pop-culture references could possibly alienate some.
See it if you're looking for a rip-roaring good time accompanied by Artichoke's famously delicious pizza. Overflowing with bawdy, engaging humor!
Don't see it if you're conservative, easily embarrassed or opposed to sexual innuendos.
See it if You like a good belly laugh, stupid sweet characters, fellatio gags, songs about tossing salads and sex with God, hot women in masks, & poo.
Don't see it if You plan on voting for Donald Trump. You dislike vulgarity.
See it if You like creativity & experimental theater, have good hearing, can 'get' NY theater references, and want to drink alcohol & eat free pizza
Don't see it if You have any hearing problems, are easily offended, dislike slapstick, silliness, frivolity, vulgarity & physical humor, or want a plot.
See it if You love commedia or have never seen commedia and love artichoke pizza and no holds barred wackiness. This is a funny fast-paced romp.
Don't see it if You don't like pizza or if you think PG-13 is as risqué as you are willing to go. Leave the kids at home for this one.
See it if you like topical humor for adults. Be prepared for audience participation.
Don't see it if Don't see it if you are prudish, or just want to sit back and be entertained.
Critic Reviews (6)
"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."
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"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."
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"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."
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"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."
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"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. "
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"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."
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