Have you ever sat in the “cheap seats” and wished you’d remembered your opera glasses or binoculars? How about watching a play while seated directly ON THE STAGE? The Electric Company Theatre’s utterly delightful and side-splittingly funny adaptation of Servant of Two Masters is performed in the round while the action is literally inches away from a highly enthusiastic audience. 

This brilliant design technique not only makes the entire experience more fun, but it also allows viewers an up-close and personal connection to the storyline and an intimate view of the amazing skill and intensity of ECT’s passionate and highly talented cast. As the show-within-a-show begins, some of the funniest lines in Act I are lines stolen from other plays and musicals. There are references to borrowing props and costumes from other productions, as there is no money for anything. 

The stage periodically turns dark as a supposedly unpaid electricity bill shuts it down, and in the story, the actors discover that they are working for free. In other words, they are all trying desperately to keep the show afloat, since of course, the show must go on (in reality, many theater companies depend solely on ticket sales to survive, making this not so far-fetched!). This spirited farce is completely chaotic and wildly funny.

Clarice (Emily Taylor) and Silvio (Jared Lindsay), Dottore ‘s (James McFarlane) son, are engaged to marry; however, Clarice was betrothed to Federico, who was reportedly killed in a duel. Federico shows up, but Brighella (Shayanne Marin), the feisty innkeeper. figures out that the resurrected Federico is actually his spirited sister in disguise. While all of the craziness carries on, the centerpiece of the story is a voracious figure of a servant, Truffaldino (Bobby Gonzalez). Although he is already serving another master, he gets an offer to double his salary with yet another boss. He takes the irresistible offer, but unbeknownst to either master, he secretly keeps both jobs.

Truffaldino’s first master is actually Beatrice Rasponi (Cassie Prendiville Johnson), who, with a very dark mustache, is the one disguised as Federico (who was stabbed seventeen times). Beatrice has come to Venice to collect her brother’s dowry and also to search for her lover. Truffaldino believes her to be a man, but a very sexy one. 

The second master is the very handsome and not-so-humble Florindo (Wesley Chavez), who is Beatrice’s long-lost lover. Truffaldino does not know this. Both masters happen to be staying at the same inn! And, if THAT doesn’t pique your curiosity, there is more. There are jumbled mix-ups, screw-ups, misconceptions and a multitude of misunderstandings, but the question might be: How does Truffaldino wriggle his way out of the inescapable blunder he has gotten himself into by being servant to Beatrice, disguised as her dead brother and Florindo, who is her beloved but also her brother’s murderer? Nobody knows anything… yet. 

There is one role for a porter; however, it turns out that there are three who are all portraying the same guy – with completely unlike appearances and personalities. Although they are distinctly different from each other, Gabriel Liron, Jose Orozco, and Michael Reehl each play the role to the hilt, and their bumbling mannerisms let everyone in on the joke. As Pantalone, Patrick Peterson is hilariously funny, and his comic timing is impeccable. 

Haven Hanson’s costume designs are amazing, and Emily Taylor’s choreography is spot on. The set design is that there isn’t much of one, which makes the play even funnier. While the Servant of Two Masters is scripted, there is room for an improv outline, and it is those unscripted moments that make this production so funny and relevant. On the grounds of the beautiful Muckenthaler Cultural Center, the Electric Company Theatre has raised the bar once again with its innovative and highly entertaining production of Servant of Two Masters. With a solid cast, creative expression, and a production team that gives its all, this is truly the comedy of the year. 

The 18th-century Italian playwright Carlo Goldoni modified his work with the traditional, but dying, comedia dell’arte form as he created set props from the actors’ improvisations, which he eventually added to his story plots, making “Servant” one of his most famous and successful plays ever.  

In a poignant message, Co-Artistic Director and Director of Servant of Two Masters, Brian Johnson said, “…life is very much like theatre: It comes, and it goes. We don’t get to keep the moment – we only get to be present for it.” It is my hope that you may be present for this hilarious experience. In this hectic and busy world of ours, what can be better than the gift of a grand night at the theatre with VIP seating all around? 

Adapted from the Original Goldini classic text by Brian and Callie Johnson. Directed by Brian Johnson with Choreography by Emily Taylor. The Muckenthaler Cultural Center, 1201 E. Malvern Avenue, Fullerton, CA 92833. Runs from November 1 through November 17, 2026.

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