COMMEDIA DELL'ARTICHOKE Begins at Gene Frankel Theatre Tonight

Frances Black Projects in association with CAP21 proudly presents Commedia dell'Artichoke, a new comedy about love, dreams, pizza and trying to make it in New York. This production, a contemporary take on commedia dell'arte - the classic Italian style of theatre with masked actors performing a blend of scripted and improvised comedic scenarios - plays January 15 - February 6 at the Gene Frankel Theatre (24 Bond Street, between Bowery and Lafayette).

Commedia dell'Artichoke transports audiences to a New York pizza shop, following Pulcinella, a struggling independent pizza maker, and the cast of characters he deals with on a daily basis. True to traditional commedia dell'arte, this contemporary spin on the classic form features a riotous mix of scripted and spontaneous scenes, reflecting the current social and political pulse of the town in which the masked players are performing. Featuring an actual pop-up pizza stand on site in an inviting space adorned with brick and wood, this theatrical experience is raucous and unpredictable, offering an outrageous take on timeless themes including running a small business and chasing the American dream.

Commedia dell'Artichoke is conceived by Frances Black, Carter Gill and Tommy Russell, and created and performed by Carter Gill, Alexandra Henrikson, Tommy Russell and Shannon Marie Sullivan, with the cast of four playing over ten different characters and performing musical numbers. Commedia Consultant is Christopher Bayes. Playwriting Consultant is Matt Moses. Devin Brain directs.

This production features Original Music, performed live, by Robert Cowie and the company; Choreography by Frank Ventura; Set Design by Katherine Akiko Day; Costume Design by Lisa Loen; Masks by Emilia Buescher, Den, Jordan Allen-Dutton and Mister Face; Lighting Design by Marie Yokoyama.