Skip to main content
  • Home
  • About
  • Faculty Experts
  • For The Media
  • ’Cuse Conversations Podcast
  • Topics
    • Alumni
    • Events
    • Faculty
    • Students
    • All Topics
  • Contact
  • Submit
Arts & Culture
  • All News
  • Arts & Culture
  • Business & Economy
  • Campus & Community
  • Health & Society
  • Media, Law & Policy
  • STEM
  • Veterans
  • University Statements
  • Syracuse University Impact
  • |
  • The Peel
  • Athletics
Sections
  • All News
  • Arts & Culture
  • Business & Economy
  • Campus & Community
  • Health & Society
  • Media, Law & Policy
  • STEM
  • Veterans
  • University Statements
  • Syracuse University Impact
  • |
  • The Peel
  • Athletics
  • Home
  • About
  • Faculty Experts
  • For The Media
  • ’Cuse Conversations Podcast
  • Topics
    • Alumni
    • Events
    • Faculty
    • Students
    • All Topics
  • Contact
  • Submit
Arts & Culture

Department of Drama Presents ‘The King Stag’

Wednesday, February 15, 2017, By Joanna Penalva
Share

King Stag posterMagic and laughter come center stage as the Department of Drama presents the commedia dell’arte classic “The King Stag.” This prime example of the Italian comedic tradition of slapstick antics and sheer fun opens at the Storch Theatre in the Syracuse Stage/SU Drama Complex, 820 E. Genesee St., on Saturday, Feb. 18, and runs through Sunday, Feb. 26.

Tickets are now available at vpa.syr.edu/drama, by phone at 315.443.3275 and in person at the Box Office. A preview performance will take place on Friday, Feb. 17, at 8 p.m.

Written by Carlo Gozzi and translated into English by Albert Bermel, “The King Stag” embodies the commedia dell’arte, a theatrical form characterized by improvised dialogue and a cast of colorful characters. This style of theatre emerged in northern Italy in the 16th century and is based on a set of scenarios, meaning that it is centered on a basic plot, often a familiar story, upon which actors are at liberty to tailor their performances to the audience. In this production, the actors will be covered head to toe in lavish medieval period clothing worn in the traditional commedia dell’arte style that includes hand-made masks constructed by Olga Ivanov and costumes with vibrant fabrics.

“The King Stag” may have its fair share of laughs, but Department of Drama faculty member and “The King Stag” director Felix Ivanov believes the production must create an even deeper meaning. “This is a fairy tale for adults, not for kids. It must be serious and truthful,” Ivanov says. “If the characters don’t really love each other, if the danger and tragedy are not real, there is no story.”

“The King Stag” therefore has a lot in common with contemporary fantasy novels, film and TV shows. And what makes these stories come alive are the constant adversity the characters face. “The Lord of the Rings Trilogy” would be nothing without the barrage of enemies Frodo faces as he makes his quest to destroy the evil ring of power. Similarly, “The King Stag” must have this balance of fantasy and reality, a goal Ivanov believes can be achieved within the theatre space itself.

“Always, we will have this awareness that we are in a theatre and not some made-up place somewhere in China,” Ivanov says. Therefore, the set design will only incorporate what is absolutely necessary to the plot, and the magic elements of the play will be contained within the performance style.

Universal themes of undying love, friendship and courage make “The King Stag” an enticing show not to be missed.

Performance Dates

Feb. 17 at 8 p.m. (preview)

Feb. 18 at 8 p.m. (opening)

Feb. 19 at 2 p.m.

Feb. 22 at 8 p.m.

Feb. 23 at 8 p.m.

Feb. 24 at 8 p.m.

Feb. 25 at 2 p.m. (open captioning)

Feb. 25 at 8 p.m.

Feb. 26 at 2 p.m. (ASL interpreted)

  • Author

Joanna Penalva

  • Recent
  • Iran Escalation: Experts Available This Week
    Tuesday, June 24, 2025, By Vanessa Marquette
  • SCOTUS Win for Combat Veterans Backed by Syracuse Law Clinic
    Monday, June 23, 2025, By Vanessa Marquette
  • Syracuse Views Summer 2025
    Monday, June 23, 2025, By News Staff
  • Tiffany Xu Named Harry der Boghosian Fellow for 2025-26
    Friday, June 20, 2025, By Julie Sharkey
  • Registration Open for Esports Campus Takeover Hosted by University and Gen.G
    Thursday, June 19, 2025, By Matt Michael

More In Arts & Culture

Swinging Into Summer: Syracuse International Jazz Fest Returns With Star Power, Student Talent and a Soulful Campus Finale

Get ready for the sweet summer sounds of jazz in the city and on campus. The University is again a sponsor of the Syracuse International Jazz Fest, a five-day celebration of world-class jazz music and community spirit, taking place June…

Tiffany Xu Named Harry der Boghosian Fellow for 2025-26

The School of Architecture has announced that architect Tiffany Xu is the Harry der Boghosian Fellow for 2025–26. Xu will succeed current fellow, Erin Cuevas and become the tenth fellow at the school. The Boghosian Fellowship at the School of…

Syracuse Stage Concludes 2024-25 Season With ‘The National Pastime’

Syracuse Stage concludes its 2024-25 season with the world premiere production of “The National Pastime,” a provocative psychological thriller about state secrets, sonic weaponry, stolen baseball signs and the father and son relationship in the middle of it all. Written…

Syracuse Stage Hosts Inaugural Julie Lutz New Play Festival

Syracuse Stage is pleased to announce that the inaugural Julie Lutz New Play Festival will be held at the theatre this June. Formerly known as the Cold Read Festival of New Plays, the festival will feature a work-in-progress reading and…

Light Work Opens New Exhibitions

Light Work has two new exhibitions, “The Archive as Liberation” and “2025 Light Work Grants in Photography, that will run through Aug. 29. “The Archive as Liberation” The exhibition is on display in the Kathleen O. Ellis Gallery at Light…

Subscribe to SU Today

If you need help with your subscription, contact sunews@syr.edu.

Connect With Us

  • X
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Youtube
  • LinkedIn
Social Media Directory

For the Media

Find an Expert Follow @SyracuseUNews
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Youtube
  • LinkedIn
  • @SyracuseU
  • @SyracuseUNews
  • Social Media Directory
  • Accessibility
  • Privacy
  • Campus Status
  • Syracuse.edu
© 2025 Syracuse University News. All Rights Reserved.