CurtainUp
The Internet Theater Magazine of Reviews, Features,
Annotated Listings
| |
CurtainUp The Internet Theater Magazine of Reviews, Features,
Annotated Listings |
|
A CurtainUp DC Review
The Comedy of Errors
Director Alan Paul placed Comedy in the Greek seaside town called Ephesus (the real contemporary Ephesus is in Turkey but no matter that) at a non-specific modern time. He borrowed heavily from Greek-themed movies Zorba and Never On Sunday and leaned on help from composer/lyricist Michael Dansicker and choreographer Karma Camp. That too was not the problem. Admittedly The Comedy of Errors demands a greater than usual suspension of disbelief given its themes of not one but two sets of twins separated in youth followed by mistaken identities. To these elements Paul has added such shopworn tricks as a talking parrot, a jelly-like octopus, a lisping and sometimes unintelligible tailor (Matt Zambrano), a limp-wristed jeweler (Tom Story, overdoing swish), fart jokes, flipping the bird, plus cruder motions. When three poorly-compensated policeman complain that crime does not pay, the audience groaned. The cops' lively entr'acte tap dance, however, led by the loose-limbed and very engaging Matt Bauman, brought down the house. This diversion from the sophomoric antics perpetrated by Paul was much appreciated. The cast includes some truly notable and gifted actors doing their best in less than perfect circumstances. Octogenarian Ted van Griethuysen gives Egeon, the father searching for his son, an empathetic performance. Veanne Cox as Adriana is, as always, elegant. She speaks Shakespeare's lines eloquently and moves with a grace that makes her contrasting lusty embraces and rapid pratfalls very funny indeed. Christian Conn as Antipholus of Ephesus and Gregory Wooddell as Antipholus of Syracuse, in matching suits and wigs, show that they are capable of delivering Shakespearean soliloquies with sincerity. Kudos too for the best vignettes: Carson Elrod's straight-faced Dromio of Syracuse and Matt Bauman's cameo as a waiter. This is the first production of the 2018-2019 season which is Artistic Director Michael Kahn's last season. Kahn, for 30 plus years, has elevated Washington theater to remarkable heights and deserves the many accolades he has received. His successor, Simon Godwin, best known in Washington for his brilliant direction of the RSC's Hamlet with Paapa Essiedu that played the Kennedy Center last spring, takes over August 1, 2019. |
PRODUCTION NOTES The Comedy of Errors by William Shakespeare Directed by Alan Paul Composer/lyricist, Michael Dansicker Choreography by Karma Camp Scenic design by James Noone Costume design by Gabriel Berry Cast: Gregory Wooddell (Antipholus of Syracuse); Christian Conn (Antipholus of Ephesus); Carson Elrod (Dromio of Syracuse); Carter Gill (Dromio of Ephesus); Ted van Griethuysen (Egeon, Merchant of Syracuse); Nancy Robinetter (Emilia, Abbess at Ephesus); Veanne Cox (Adriana, Wife of Antipholus of Ephesus); Folami Williams (Luciana, Adriana's younger sister); Tom Story (Angelo, a Goldsmith); J. Bernard Calloway (Duke Solinus of Ephesus/Luce); Eleasha Gamble (Courtesan); Sarah Marshall (Dr. Pinch); Matt Zambrano (Tailor/Second Merchant); Matt Bauman (Officer, Protean, Dance Captain); John Cardenas (Protean); Justin G. Nelson (Protean). Running time: 100 minutes without an intermission. Shakespeare Theatre/Lansburgh, shakespearetheatre.org; September 25 to October 28, 2018. Reviewed by Susan Davidson at October 1, 2018 performance. REVIEW FEEDBACK Highlight one of the responses below and click "copy" or"CTRL+C"
Paste the highlighted text into the subject line (CTRL+ V): Feel free to add detailed comments in the body of the email. . .also the names and emails of any friends to whom you'd like us to forward a copy of this review. For a feed to reviews and features as they are posted at http://curtainupnewlinks.blogspot.com to your reader Curtainup at Facebook . . . Curtainup at Twitter |
