by Sierra Pasquale
Ah, me, Shakespeare. Hearing the name of The Bard, can evoke one of many reactions among folks; “THAT guy?”, “I don’t understand Shakespeare”, “I know Romeo and Juliet”, “They made me read Hamlet in High School” and many others that could be laced with various colorful language fit for one of his more bawdy comedies. I’ve run the gamut myself on my feelings, especially having to recite more than my fair share of his monologues during my own conservatory days. Whatever your feelings for the writer of the Shakespearean catalog, the troupe performing “The Comedy of Errors” at the Waldstein Amphitheater at Shakespeare and Company in Lenox, MA this summer will leave you full of joy and wishing you were still young enough to do a backflip at a moments notice.
“The Comedy of Errors” is one of William Shakespeare’s earliest and shortest plays. One of his more farcical comedies, the humor stems from mistaken identity, physical slapstick and some of his more punny wordplay. Shakespeare and Company’s colorful production is set in the New York City, Coney Island Vaudeville, 1912, giving new life and context of a place filled with wonder, sideshows and magic. Set in the Greek city of Ephesus, two sets of identical twins who were accidentally separated at birth find themselves in the same city. Antipholus of Syracuse and his servant, Dromio of Syracuse, arrive in Ephesus, unaware that it is the home of their twin brothers, Antipholus of Ephesus and his servant, Dromio of Ephesus. This leads to a series of hilarious and chaotic events as the Syracusans encounter the friends and families of their twins. Mistaken identities result in wrongful beatings, a near-seduction, the arrest of Antipholus of Ephesus, and false accusations of infidelity, theft, madness, and demonic possession.
The Arthur S. Waldstein Amphitheatre provides an ideal setting for the reimagined work. The players mill about the setting prior to the performance, enriching the scene with ambiance. Echoing back to the traditional “groundlings” (those who milled about in the front seating area of The Globe Theatre during Shakespearean times) the troupe played expertly with the audience participation and reactions. It was a delight for the younger members in attendance.
The skilled cast includes Javier David as Dromio of Syracuse, Emma Geer as Luciana, David Gow as Solinus/Pinch Assistant, Rory Hammond as Angela, L. James as Antipholus of Syracuse, Madeline Rose Maggio as Adriana, Ashley McCauley Moore as Courtesan, Naire Poole as The Abbess/Merchant/Officer, Evan Stevens as Dromio of Ephesus, Dennis Trainor, Jr. as Egeon/Pinch, Kristofer Wilson as Luce/Merchant, and Sharmarke Yusuf as Antipholus of Ephesus. The entire ensemble was strong and engaging. The traditional “fools” Javier David and Evan Stevens deserve a particular round of applause for their comedic timing and physicality.
The creative team for “The Comedy of Errors” includes Director Kate Kohler Amory, Associate Director Raphael Massie, Directing Fellow Lauren Davis, Set Designer Theron Wineinger, Costume Designer Govane Lohbauer, Sound Designer Liz Stanton, Stage Manager Diane Healy, and Assistant Stage Managers Kathleen H. Soltan and Dennis Ebert Jr. Their collective efforts create a dynamic and engaging environment.
You’re sure to need the bug spray for the cool, open-air summer night in Lenox, MA, but this production is not to be missed.
The Comedy of Errors, Shakespeare and Company, Arthur S. Waldstein Amphitheatre, 70 Kemble Street, Lenox, MA, 01240, (413) 637-3353, shakespeare.org