Many of us may never have heard of Pantalone, the original merchant of Venice, or of Arlecchino, his servant “just off the boat” from Bergamo, but are surprised to find that we recognize them nonetheless — they are very like Laurel and Hardy, or characters in a Dickens’ novel, a play by Molière, or even in a recent episode of “The Simpsons.”

As audience members get to know Brighella, Arlecchino’s fellow zany from the hills of Bergamo, the Dottore from the famed University of Bologna, and various captains from lands real and imaginary — through the interpretive art of Perlman — we may unexpectedly find ourselves reminded of someone we saw at the fair, know from work, or even recognize as family.

Both children and adults will be captivated by Perlman’s transformation as he dons the leather masks, made by renowned artist Renzo Antonello of Vicenza, Italy, pieces of art in their own right. Historical insight and theatrical entertainment will go hand in hand as Perlman explores one of the most enduring cultural phenomena of modern Europe, whose archetypes are universal and whose myth and legacy are still with us today: the mask-characters of the Italian commedia dell’arte.

Tickets are complimentary for this benefit performance, but as seating is limited, they should be obtained before the performance by going to the library on Main St. A pass-the-hat collection will support future programing at the library. For more information, call 207-674-2004.