Who would have ever thought William Shakespeare could be so much fun? The Shakespeare Theatre Company’s artistic director, Simon Godwin, has reshaped the master’s 1594 “Comedy of Errors” into a 1990s version for a fast romp in a Greek village, the likes of which can’t be beat for laughs and jokes.
It can be a family event, sure to entertain everyone with its constant motion, moves, dancing and finger puppets that “talk.” This light musical will take some of the scary out of the bard’s dialogue with “small cheer and great welcome makes a merry feast.”
The tale is his shortest and one of his earliest, about twins separated as infants in a shipwreck along with their parents and baby servants who happen to be twins, too. (The latter twins, both named “Dromio,” rhymes with Romeo. This is, after all, Shakespeare, winking and nodding.)
The father of the twins, “Egeon” (Timothy D. Stickney) speaks to Duke Solinus (Eric Hissom) about his lost son at sea whose brother “Antipholus of Syracuse” (Christian Thompson and the play’s dance captain), now grown up, has left Syracuse to search for his sibling.
Like their servants, both lads share the same name, as only Shakespeare can write. (Without the same names, no play!)
Egeon and his wife, Emilia (Amanda Naughton) had adopted the Dromios at birth until the sea separation divided the family in half: One group went one way and the other, the other, and if you are still following, fear not for understanding comes to she who waits.
Hoping the lost “Antipholus” is still alive and searching for the other Antipholus of Syracuse in Ephesus, Egeon is soon found to be in the wrong place at the wrong time and sentenced to death. (He was from Syracuse and not allowed in Ephesus.)
Meanwhile, Antipholus of Syracuse is also searching for his lost brother in Ephesus, accompanied by his manservant, “Dromio of Syracuse.” (Alex Brightman and David Fynn are the “Dromios” who look remarkably similar and steal the show with their acrobatics and comedy, at times, seeking audience guidance.)
After all are ashore in Ephesus, the mistaken identities are soon known to the audience but not the residents who confuse the four twins throughout the show. Are you surprised?
Asks Antipholus of Syracuse: “Am I in earth, in heaven, or in hell?
Sleeping or waking, mad or well-advised?”
Ceci Calf’s scenic design of the enchanting seaside village left me almost feeling waves splash as I bobbed in my audience seat on a small boat to watch the onshore action.
Musicians wander about the stage in the background, playing their instruments, including Pearl Rhein who speaks as Angela, plucking the strings on her violin, and, at different times, a small keyboard she holds. (Applause to casting director Danica Rodriguez.)
The births of the Antipholi are portrayed effectively in slow motion with their mother behind a transparent curtain to perfectly timed lighting (by Stacey Derosier). The town’s “red light” district and colored backgrounds during the musical pieces are especially memorable.
Sex, money, ropes, and a chain are all part of the fun but this is rated “G” to offend no one.
It’s all in a day’s adventure in the world of Shakespeare and a farce of a time! Lost and found. You can go home again.
The cast includes Ro Boddie (also fight captain), Jacob Brandt, Kimberly Dodson, Cloteal L. Horne, Ralph Adriel Johnson, Camilo Linares, Paige Rammelkamp and Shayvawn Webster.
Other members of the creative team are Nancy Renee Braun, choreography; Alejo Vietti, costumes; Christopher Shutt, sound; Michael Bruce, composer; Charles G. Lapointe, hair and wigs, Robb Hunter, fight choreographer; Lisa Beley, voice coach; Julia Marks, assistant director; Laura Smith, production stage manager; Becky Reed and Stephen Bubniak, assistant stage managers.
“Comedy of Errors” has been extended twice at the Shakespeare Theatre Company’s Klein Theatre, 450 7th Street, NW, Washington, D.C.
