La Fenice, Austin's long running Commedia dell'Arte troupe, proudly returns to the Butterfly Bar in May and June to present their latest scenario The Lure of the Maiden's Chest. This show is a satirical visitation of the adventure genre inspired by Jonny Quest and Indiana Jones. Austin audiences will have seven opportunities to experience La Fenice's unique blend of classical Italian street theater and modern pop culture references: Fridays and Saturdays, May 29th through June 13th at 10:00pm, with a special performance on Thursday, June 11th at 8:00pm. Admission is a suggested $10 donation. 

 

The Lure of the Maiden's Chest is La Fenice's sixth original scenario since 2009 and their eighteenth since the company was first founded in 1999 as the Austin Commedia Society. Like all of La Fenice's scenarios, The Lure of the Maiden's Chest is a devised work, an ensemble performance that is the result of the actors and musicians improvising together in the studio based upon a plot outline and the centuries-old characters and techniques of the Commedia dell'Arte.

 

The production stars  Genevieve Kinney, Adam W Rodriguez, Julie Moore, Kate Meehan, Aaron Michael Johnson, and Katy Smaczniak, with live music from Amber Quick.

 

 

The inescapable lure of the Maiden's Chest leads two families of adventuring treasure hunters to distant lands. Dottore Cobblepot meets his untimely end by the blade of his exotic friend, Brighella. Now orphaned, his eager son Ottavio and his trusty sidekick, Arlecchino, must see the expedition to its end in the Lost City of Xanadu. Meanwhile, the sorceress Ruffiana casts a web of her own, enchanting their path while employing a double agent, Capitana, to claim the Maiden's Chest for her own. Will her adventurous daughter Isabella, hell-bent on recovering artifacts for the museum, secure the Chest first? Will Ottavio get the girl? Will Brighella murder them all? 

 

La Fenice performs live-action late-night cartoons for grown ups, complete with swords, shenanigans and chicanery. Intended for mature audiences.