|
Comedy of Errors by San Diego Junior Theatre 
When Antipholus and his servant Dromio of Syracuse land in the city of Epheus, they cause a comedy of errors that will ne'er be forgotten. For they are both mistaken as Epheus residents of the same name and likeness -- the result of a shipwreck many years ago that separated both pairs of twins while still infants.
The numerous cases of mistaken identity that follow are woven together by the masterful hand of William Shakespeare in what is one of his first plays (written about 1592-3), and one of his best. It's based on the far older play Menaechmi by the Roman playwright Plautus (about 200 B.C.), which is itself a takeoff of an even older Greek play, so people have been laughing at these sorts of plots for about 2500 years. But Shakespeare went a step further than his ancient predecessors, adding the second set of twins to the mix and doubling the laughs with his brilliantly devised plot. Now, in the year 2002 A.D., Director Bryan Bevell has added another inspired wrinkle to this age-old play by taking The Bard's tale to Vaudeville. Dressed in classically crazy Vaudevillian costumes designed by the talented Margaret Hagar, the magnificent cast hams it up to the audience and to the orchestra pit which chimes in with well-timed cymbal crashes, kazoo blows, and other standard musical fanfare. Joey Price and Amanda Ruud, in the leads as Antipholus and Dromio from Syracuse, look as if they were raised doing Vaudeville shows so naturally do they combine playing their roles with the other characters on stage and playing directly to the audience -- a flair that the red-hot Courtezan (Erin Gilmore) shares as she charms the residents of Epheus and the residents of the audience at the same time. Additional outstanding performances abound in the cast. As Adriana, the wife of Antipholus of Epheus, Ferril Gardner's emotional seesaw between heartbreaking sorrow and frightening hostility was a treat to watch (from the relative safety of the audience). With a number of highly amusing expressions, Julia Giolzetti, as Adriana's slightly more balanced sister, makes the most out a role that is unfortunately written too small. Brian Polk gives a savvy performance as Duke Solinus. Erin Hatch and Alex Fleming are a "gas" as they fight for entry into their house against their Antipholus and Dromio twins, using the oldest and most odorous form of biological warfare. Ben Gammage is hysterical as the small doctor/conjurer named Pinch who attempts to cure the apparently possessed twins with a voice of fierce determination and with a big cross. And the police, who size-wise are even smaller than Pinch, together loom large as they mercilessly try to beat the poor devils out of Antipholus with their billy clubs. Putting the finishing touches on the program are Set Designer Tony Cucuzzella and the backstage crew who keep the action moving with a scrolling background and who put together an unforgettable shipwreck scene, the event that we must thank for separating the twins and setting all the fun in motion. Rob Hopper San Diego Playbill ~ Cast ~
Duke Solinus: Brian Polk Aegeon: Andrew Levy Antipholus of Epheus: Erin Hatch Antipholus of Syracuse: Joey Price Dromio of Epheus: Alex Fleming Dromio of Syracuse: Amanda Ruud Balthazar: Casey Gardner Angelo: Kim Patrick 1st Merchant: William Munroe 2nd Merchant: Erin Burke Pinch: Ben Gammage Aemilia: Chiara Atik Adriana: Ferril Gardner Luciana: Julia Giolzetti Luce: Katie Harris Courtezan: Erin Gilmore Gaolers, Officers, and other Attendants: Tally Budd Jordan DuBois Kristin Green Abbey Howe Alejandra Jimenez Katrina Schechter Director: Bryan Bevell Technical Director/Set Design: Tony Cucuzzella Light Design: Eric Lotze Scenic Artist: Darlene Daley Costume Design: Margaret Hagar Sound Design: Peter Hashagan Stage Manager: Daryl Daley |