Best known as the author of The Prince, the political how-to text that promoted the philosophy that the ends justify the means, Niccolo Machiavelli is also the author of one of the few Italian Renaissance plays still produced today. The Irish Classical Theatre company will open The Mandrake this week. Highly reminiscent of Roman comedy with its stock characters, lowbrow domestic situations, and preoccupation with marital infidelity and romantic intrigue, the play tells the tale of an elderly man who is outfoxed by his randy young wife and her lover. The play follows in the footsteps of the Irish Classical Theatre’s production of Goldoni’s The Servant of Two Masters, staged in 2008. That delightful production was directed by Fortunato Pezzimenti, who takes the helm again this time. The Mandrake stars David Autovino, Gerry Maher, Brian Riggs, Peter Palmisano, Lisa Vitrano, Morgan Chard, and Tim Newell.