The tradition of commedia dell'arte can be traced through generations of comics from Charlie Chaplin and Buster Keaton to contemporary actors such as Bill Irwin and Robin Williams. Troupes, such as the San Francisco Mime Troupe and the Piccolo Teatro in Milan, continue to work in the tradition. And some television sitcoms are descendants of that ancient theatrical form.

Using Carlo Goldoni's "The Servant of Two Masters," written in 1745, as a commedia dell'arte framework for "The Servant of Many Masters," University of Hawai'i theater professor Paul Mitri has created a timely new play exploring the many masters the arts must please.

In Goldoni's classic, a servant mistakenly gets employed by more than one master. Mitri adds three new characters — a director, assistant director and sponsor — to incorporate contemporary political satire based on the Theatre Department's own current situation, including its lack of space and need to find funding for productions.

As the great reformer of Italian comedy, Goldoni took the prevailing 18th century form of commedia — highly physical (and often scatological) improvised comedy based on stock characters— and created political and social satires. His model was the great French dramatist MoliEre. The result was a fusion of MoliEre and commedia — just the right mix for Mitri. Last fall, he presented an original play entitled "MoliEre," written, directed by and starring himself in the title role, at the Hawaii Repertory Theatre.

Mitri's "MoliEre" production was the result of years of studying the French playwright which began at the University of Washington in Seattle where he received his MFA in the Professional Acting Training Program. His alma mater also offered courses in stage movement, combat and mask work. Immediately after receiving his degree, he founded the Seattle Shakespeare Festival, with the mission of making Shakespeare accessible. Mitri said it is still going strong. Seventeen years after starting the festival — after spending time teaching, acting and directing in locations from Japan to Egypt — Mitri was invited to join the UH faculty.

His job includes period styles of acting, advanced voice and various movement classes. "I felt like the job description fit me perfectly," he said. His opinion of the job is clear. "I really think theater's about teamwork and getting along. That's what I like so much about this department. Everybody respects each other's work." Last year he directed "As You Like It" and will direct "Macbeth" in a multicultural, multi-lingual production next year.

Not to ignore the improvisational aspect of commedia, Mitri has cast UH senior Jordan Savusa in the title role of Truffaldino, the servant of many masters. A local standup comedian who often performs at the Laugh Factory under the name "The Friendly Samoan," Savusa is used to improvising and rapping with the audience as well as interjecting comments and questioning audience members' responses.

Asked after rehearsal how it felt to be cast in the play, Savusa responded, "This show's perfect for me. It's a wonderful challenge to put it all together — standup, improvisation and a scripted text."

Carol Egan, a former professional dancer, choreographer and teacher, began writing about dance in 1975.