Anything goes in Faction of Fools’ 10th season

Murder. The conquest of France. Learning to become an actor. And food. Lots and lots of food. Gut-busting portions of foods; enough to last a decade.

What could be better subjects for a little commedia dell’Arte? At least, that was the thinking of Faction of Fools, the Washington commedia dell’Arte troupe operating out of Galaudet University as it plotted its 2018-2019 Season.

Thus Faction of Fools will start off their season with the great Shakespearean history play, Henry V — the story of how the young wastrel Hal grew up to be the greatest King in England’s history. Faction of Fools will render the Bard’s drama commedia dell’Arte style, with masks, clowns, slapstick and general outrageousness from October 19 to November 11, 2018. Faction of Fools Artistic Director Paul Reisman will direct this production.

The company will kick off the new year with a brief run for John Bellamo’s adaptation of Bravo, Zan Angelo, a Niki Daly children’s book about a boy who wants to run off and join his grandfather’s commedia dell’Arte troupe. But the troupe is in trouble, and when grandpa reluctantly gives young Zan a small role, he — well, he runs with it, and chaos erupts in an already chaotic environment. Any resemblance to actual reality is purely coincidental. From February 23-25, 2019.

The Fools’ springtime production will be a brand new murder mystery — yet to be written — by Reisman, who will also direct. The company promises “zany bellhops, femme fatales, hidden clues, and mustachioed  detectives” presumptively played by different actors. The Great Commedia Hotel Murder Mystery will run from April 26 to May 19 of next year.

Also in the spring — dates to be determined — the company will bring us its 10th annual “Fool for All,” Tales of Pasta, Prosciutto and the Future, which sounds, frankly, like “Food for All.” This year’s venture will recall bits of previous years’ Fool for Alls, such as Love and Sausages, Courage and Poultry, Marriage and Mozzarella, Tales of Honor and Anchovies; and Nookie and Gnocci, but will, the company assures, include something more gastronomically contemporary as well. No word as to what the Faction of Fools will be serving for dinner along with the show.

More details on the season here. Faction of Fools has not yet made season tickets available.