Andrew Dice Clay in Concert at CHMH; Rare Pgh Savoyards’ ‘Servant of Two Masters’; Lewis Pell Art Exhibit at Irma Freeman Gallery (Fri., 7/14/23)

1) Actor/Comedian Andrew Dice Clay is possibly best known for a few aspects of his early career. One being his raw versions of classic nursery rhymes, another being the 1990 box office disaster “The Adventures of Ford Fairlane.” However, Dice kept moving and laughing, appearing in numerous film and TV roles including 2018’s A Star is Born. Recent successes have also included Blue Jasmine and “Dice.” You can catch the Dice Man at Carnegie of Homestead Music Hall tonight at 8 p.m. Special guest is Elanor Kerrigan. 510 E. 10th St., Munhall.

2) If you’re up for something utterly different in live theater, try The Servant of Two Masters. The play is not new and experimental; rather it is old, unusual, and hilarious. Servant is a rare, fully scripted example of commedia dell’arte, the zany comical form that was popular in Italy and across Europe from the 1500s into the 1700s. The style of commedia dell’arte has influenced modern physical comedy, in areas from slapstick to mime—although not a lot has survived from the actual content of shows back then, because the traveling troupes relied largely on improv. Working from rough scenarios and playing stock characters such as vecchi (pompous old men) and zanni (smart-aleck servants; also the root of our word “zany”), they adapted their sex humor and satirical antics to each occasion. But then a renowned commedia actor wanted a series of more-structured plays written around his favorite character. Italian playwright Carlo Goldoni obliged, and the best of the series, circa 1746, was The Servant of Two Masters.

Set in Venice, the plot revolves around a servant who figures he can double-dip without either employer knowing about the other. The complications exceed expectations, and … hey, after 277 years, why give spoilers? Pittsburgh Savoyards, a company devoted primarily to the comic operas of Gilbert & Sullivan, steps outside the box to present The Servant of Two Masters for your summertime enjoyment. 7:30 p.m. Through July 29 at the Savoyards’ Margaret Partee Performing Arts Center, 523 Lincoln Ave. Bellevue. (M.V.)

3) Rising Pittsburgh artist, Lewis Pell, studied environmental sciences and sustainability as an undergraduate at University of Pittsburgh Johnstown and then while earning a masters degree at Chatham College. However, he always loved painting and taught himself to excel at the art. His works mainly consist of beautiful sketches and acrylic on canvas paintings of natural and urban landscapes.  His most recent works can be seen at the Moment in Time exhibit at the Irma Freeman Gallery in Friendship. Tonight is the opening of the exhibit. His art will be displayed along with that of Andy Miller, Chris Norman, and Ikaros Art. 7 to 10 p.m.  The Moment in Time show continues through July 28. 5006 Penn Ave. (R.H.)

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