The Green Bird:a modern full length stage play adaptation of Carlo Gozzi's commedia dell'arte classic

A standalone sequel to Hillary DePiano's The Love of Three Oranges!

It's been almost two decades since King Tartaglia went on a quest for three magical oranges and found his Queen Ninetta. But when war breaks out with a neighboring kingdom, enemies from the past seize the throne and execute a cruel revenge on the lovers. With the King lost on the battlefield, the Queen buried alive, the royal heirs presumed dead and the kingdom itself in ruins, it all looks pretty darn bleak for a comedy. Luckily, there's magic and mayhem aplenty in this wild fairy tale to guide everyone on the chaotic path back to happily ever after. Amid curses, clowns, demons, a talking statue that's rapidly losing control of the story he's narrating and yet another quest for a bit of enchanted fruit, this ain't your grandma's commedia dell'arte. In a story where no one's really worthy of the title of hero, it's up to twins Renzo and Barbarina to unravel the mystery of The Green Bird in time to save everyone from themselves.

Comedy / Fantasy
Full Length in Two Acts
90-120 minutes
7 M 6 F (3 male roles can switch to female)
Cast size: 13-unlimited (ensemble of servants, guards, demons and dancers can be as large or small as needed)

For discounted acting editions of this text and performance rights, please contact the author directly.

Features
-Flexible staging
-Large cast with multiple strong female roles and an ensemble that can increase or decrease based on your casting needs.
-Opportunities for stage combat, sword-fighting, physical comedy, dance, music, puppets, and juggling.
-Includes improvisational bits in the spirit of traditional commedia.
-Educational benefits and relevance: History of Italian Theatre, Commedia Dell'arte, Carlo Gozzi and Carlo Goldoni, Improvisation, -Stage Combat, Physical Comedy (Pratfalls, slapstick, etc), Masks, History of Comedy, Commedia Today

Adapted from the commedia dell'arte play by Carlo Gozzi.