Pazzi Lazzi is a professional Commedia dell’Arte troupe, based in the Boston, USA.

The company strives both to educate and entertain its audience.

CHECK OUR LATE SHOWS

Pinocchio – A Commedia Adventure by Carlo Collodi

Adapted by Chiara Durazzini and Elena Benazzi

Told in the style of commedia dell’arte, a classical Italian style of physical comedy, this energetic production is sure to be fun for the whole family!

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ISABELLA UNMASKED – The Legacy of an Italian Renaissance Woman

One Actress, Ten Characters. One Musician, Ten Instruments

In 1589, The Madness of Isabella was a triumph at the De’ Medici court in Florence. The protagonist was Isabella Andreini, a poet, a mother and one of the first theater professional female performers. A true Renaissance Woman. This show is a tribute to her and her legacy: all women working in the arts today. Also available in Italian with the title LE BRAVURE DI ISABELLA

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All members of the troupe play several characters, of both genders. Pazzi Lazzi offers interactive shows for audience members of all ages! Want to see what we do? Our main show is Aria di Commedia – An Evening of Commedia dell’Arte and Italian Renaissance Music. It is a full length show based on the idea of recreating the atmosphere of a day in an Italian Piazza where a small troupe of Commedia performers would entertain the passers-by with comic scenes and period music. The show contains two independent original scenes inspired by classic Commedia scenarios. Some titles are:

“Two Gentlemen and a Sausage” (duration: about 20 min. PG-13)

“Lady of the Rings” (duration: about 30 min.)

“Law and Order – The Trial of Arlecchino” (duration: about 30 min.)

“Hunger Pains – La fame di Arlecchino e i rimedi del Dottore” – (duration: about 25 min.

The choice of the scenarios is based on the type of audience and venue. In each scene, the actors interpret famous Commedia stock characters such as Arlecchino, Pantalone, Pulcinella, Dottore Balanzone, Noblewoman Flaminia and Colombina and incorporates all their comedic troubles resulting from typical human weaknesses like envy, lust and greed. Through a series of sketches and skits, Pazzi Lazzi brings to life characters and themes reminiscent of the traveling-theater-troupe era.

Watch the trailer of Aria di Commedia ! CHECK OUT THE CHILDREN’S PROGRAM IN ITALIAN IN A SCENE WITH MASKS AS DOCTOR BALANZONE AND ARLECCHINO

THE SHOW WAS PERFORMED AT THE KENNEDY CENTER THEATER FOR THE EUROPEAN KIDS FESTIVAL and sponsored by the Italian Cultural Center in Washington, DC.

We also give workshop and demonstrations in schools, universities and cultural organizations. Watch MASKS IN MOTION, our workshop/demonstration at Brandeis University.