In Piazza San Domenico by Steve Galluccio - Essay Example

Critical Review of a Play - In Piazza San Domenico In Piazza San Domenico by Steve Galluccio has been an important production in dramatic history which, rather than pretending to be anything else, focuses completely to entertain the audience, by casting a satirical eye on days passed by. Produced by the Centaur Theatre Company and directed by Roy Surette, In Piazza San Domenico has been a cheerful and thoroughly engaging comedy of love, lust and misunderstandings. One of the most important reasons for the great relevance of the play has been that it was much maligned within the world of theatre, as this pure diversion from the regular plays was not inevitably nourishment for the soul of the weary minds who enjoyed it with their minds.

The play is celebrated as a romantic comedy inspired by 'Feydeau, Goldoni and Sophia Loren,' and "it bears the mark of all three, with a dash of trademark Galluccio smut thrown in just to remind us that it's a modern-day spoof of the past." (Donnelly) Therefore, the play In Piazza San Domenico by Steve Galluccio attracts large number of audience, including me, and the play deviates from the ordinary plays within the world of theatre through the presentation of the days passed by with a satirical note.

One of the most cheery and thoroughly entertaining comedies of love, lust and misunderstandings, In Piazza San Domenico was set in a burning hot August in Naples in 1952 and the main plot of the play centers on a series of misunderstandings which lead young Carmelina Benevento to believe that her fianc Guido is cheating on her with the town tramp Mafalda. When Carmelina unexpectedly faints upon hearing some bad news about Guido, there is a series of striking findings between people which provoke gossip and the series of misunderstandings run through the plot of the play.

A careful understanding of the beautiful setting, vibrant costumes and energetic cast of characters in the play In Piazza San Domenico indicates the major reasons for the great acceptance of the play and comedy in the play is effectively designed to entertain audience. As Cesare maintains, the play by Steve Galluccio which was directed by Roy Surette can be realized as a downright crowd pleaser, a comedy for the masses and it entertains everybody. "As happens very rarely in Montreal theatre, this is a show that can break out of our incestuous little theatrical community past those audience members dying to point out a deus ex machina ending or a character's lack of motivation, and fulfill the one purpose a comedy was designed for in the beginning: entertainment." (Cesare) All through the development of the plot in the play, one recognizes the relevance of misinterpretations which ensue as the players plan their own schemes and frantically try to keep face and the role of love and earth tremors in resolving the issues becomes lucid.

Calling off the impending wedding between Carmelina and Guido, the play develops through interesting events. Along with the plot, the play is noted for its setting, background, style, sound/music design, lighting, costumes, special effects etc and the direction of the play has been superb. The costumes used in the play captures the heart of every viewer, and it presents effectively femininity, innocence, vibrant colors and dress shoes sans socks. "John C. Dinning's set and Roy Surette's direction makes excellent use of the space, incorporating actors in the scene changes and not losing the audience's attention even for a blink." (Cesare) Therefore, the overall effect of the play has been highly engaging and various factors such as plot, style, direction, setting, style, sound/music design, lighting, costumes, special effects etc have contributed to the success of the play.

In conclusion, the play In Piazza San Domenico by Steve Galluccio has been a highly entertaining comedy which deviates from the ordinary plays within the world of theatre by casting a satirical eye on days passed by. Rather than pretending to be anything else, the play focuses completely to entertain the audience and it has been a cheerful and thoroughly engaging comedy of love, lust and misunderstandings. Works Cited Cesare, Michaela Di. "Taking Centre Stage - A Review of In Piazza San Domenico.

" The Warehouse. Dec 03. 2009. . Donnelly, Pat. "Review: In Piazza San Domenico." The Gazette. 2009. Dec 03. 2009. .