Photo credit: Dave Smithson

Written by Patrick Chavis

Electric Company Theater Presents Servant of Two Masters, playing now at the Muck in Fullerton, Nov. 1 -17, 2026.

This short engagement of this 1700s play by Italian playwright Carlo Goldoni is a farce, but adapted with a more modern, meta spin by Electric Company co-owners Brian & Callie Johnson.

Story:

I’ve never seen anything like this before.  This is one of the most localized productions I’ve seen put on in Orange County in a while. This play has so many inside local jokes, and I knew a lot of them. You don’t have to be a local, but it does help. At the heart of this meta-comedic farce is the original story of Servant of Two Masters: Truffaldino (Bobby Gonzalez) is poor and hungry, looking not only for an opportunity to fill his stomach but also to fill his life with purpose.

This opportunity arrives for Truffaldino as a servant to a Master. While terribly problematic, it was a reality of the time.  Truffaldino, feeling he can beat the system in a way, decides to serve two masters, which is against the rules without their knowledge, leading to many close calls and comedic misunderstandings that even Truffaldino is not aware of. There’s also added meta-comedy: the characters know they are actors and that this is a show, which is also part of the story.

The show’s legacy has stretched so far that there’s a modern retelling called One Man, Two Guvnors, with a similar story in a much more modern setting: 1960s Britain. It’s quite hilarious, and I had the chance to see it not long ago at a Noise Within in Pasadena. But that’s a story for another day.

This play has twists and turns around every corner. The Actors are fully engaged in the play one moment, and the next they break the fourth wall to talk to the audience about their frustrations with the production or mention the Olde Ship, a well-known restaurant in Fullerton.

Set Design/Lighting/Acting:

The play takes place largely on the stage at Muck and is surrounded by many different billboards from previous Electric Company shows. The actors move in a rectangular pattern, coming from each corner of the stage in frequent procession.

Designer Matt Mankiewicz kept the lighting largely even, with some well-timed darkness. I was shocked by how dark that stage can get.

Gonzalez leads the show, plotting and scheming, but often talks to the audience to let us know what’s on his mind. Gonzalez has such a grasp of the character, and for all the shenanigans, it always seems to come from respect for the character and the twisted situation he finds himself in. The normalized but terrible condition a lot of people lived in back then, even though, of course, this is a very theatrical version of that.

I’m laughing as I’m writing this because Wesley Chavez, Florindo, will tickle every funny bone in your body. I died. I said hi to Miles Davis, and I told him about the show. He said, “So What?” I came back multiple times during this show from Chavez, uppity, self-centered portrayal, which just fit like a glove.

Renee Curtis has great comedic chops, as shown in her performance as Smeraldina, Truffaldino’s love interest, though it’s a much smaller role.

Bold, brilliant direction, not to be missed!

These outfits, one-of-a-kind, like they’re coming out of a storybook.  Very original and outside-the-box from costume designer Haven Hanson.

One of the funniest shows in Orange County this year! 

Exceptional Show! OCR Recommended!

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