Truffaldino is in a bit of a pickle.

The voracious Venetian, played by Lake City High School junior Malachi Dodson, has outdone himself by accepting a position with not one, but two masters. Now he has to juggle serving them both without his two-timing ways being discovered, providing the comedic quandary at the core of "The Servant of Two Masters."

"This is probably my favorite role. I’ve been a part of other productions — I’ve done serious roles, I’ve gotten regular roles,” Malachi said during rehearsal Tuesday evening. "This is definitely my favorite part. It takes a lot of energy, but I enjoy it a lot."

The Lake City Troupe De Wolfe actors have taken a step back in time to bring "The Servant of Two Masters" to life. Originally written by Italian playwright Carlo Goldoni in the 1700s and adapted by Bonnie J. Monte, "Servant" gives audiences a taste of life in old Italy while giving them plenty of reasons to laugh.

Quirky Truffaldino, who is always hungry, comes to Venice with his master Beatrice (played by sophomore Stephanie Kaschmitter) who is disguised as her dead brother Ferderigo. She is searching for the man who killed him, and is masquerading as Ferderigo so she can collect the dowry from the father of Clarice (played by senior Ally Dean), to whom he was betrothed. But since Ferderigo’s death, Clarice has fallen in love with Silvio (played by junior Gavin Rock).

"My brother gets killed, so, of course, I take that as an opportunity to get all his money, but I can’t let anybody know I’m actually Beatrice," the mustache-wearing Stephanie said. "I wouldn't have been able to have any freedom, so I get bold with it and I dress as my brother and disguise myself so I can get his money."

The characters wear colorful period costumes, which include feathered tricorns and extravagant gowns, along with Venetian masks that cover half of their faces.

"It challenges the actors," Malachi said. "My best part of me is my facial expressions and I have to wear a mask. It’s all my hand gestures, my body movement. It’s definitely a challenging role to play. I like it a lot."

Lake City High School teacher and "Servant" director Daniel Bell said this kind of theater "is the root of many modern comedies."

"I’m always quoting plays and musicals and plays and movies and going, ‘You know how we did this in this movie? It comes from commedia,'" he said, referring to a classic style of theater that featured archetypal characters and exaggerated plot.

“My first high school play was a commedia show,” Bell said. "When I was in high school I was one of the silly lovers, I played the boy who was in love with the girl, so it’s really fun to come back to this style of acting."

"The Servant of Two Masters" will be on the LCHS stage tonight and Saturday at 7 p.m. and at 7 p.m. Oct. 24, 25 and 26.

Tickets are $8 for general admission, $7 for students and senior citizens and $6 for LCHS students with ASB cards. Tickets may be purchased at the LCHS front office or at the school's box office.

LCHS is at 6101 N. Ramsey Road, Coeur d'Alene.