KMPH FOX 26 | Central San Joaquin Valley News SourceDean Rhodus Reviews "Comedy of Errors"

Our performing arts correspondent Dean Rhodus stopped by Wednesday morning with his review of "Comedy of Errors," which plays through July 16th at Fresno's Woodward Park.

SHAKESPEARE DOES SITCOM

Woodward Shakespeare Festival is presenting "The Comedy of Errors" through July 16. The Bard offers many pleasant twists and turns in the plot involving twins and husbands and wives (got your attention?) but director Brad Meyers makes this first of Shakespeare's plays contemporary by updating it to the American 1950's, using the situation comedy so popular on the "tube" to capture the spirit of the play.

As I sat there in the beautiful summer breeze coming up and over the bluffs which border Woodward Park, I was reminded of a scene in the movie "Doc Hollywood" starring Michael J. Fox.  There is a moment memorable in which Doc Hollywood is walking through the streets of a small American town as its inhabitants enjoy fireworks and outdoor movies and strolling lovers and families. As he watches the audience watch a silent film being projected onto the side of a brick building, he is touched by the simple joys of a simple lifestyle. As I watched Fresnans enjoy a Shakespearean comedy being presented on a soft summer eve, I was glad to be there among dedicated performers working hard to give an appreciative audience the genius and humor of one of the most human that has ever been among us.

That Brad Meyers had cleverly contemporized the all too human predicaments of Antipholus of Syracuse and Antipholus of Ephesus (played by Shawn Richard Pereira and Marcos Hammer), and the two Dromio's (Benjamin McNamara and Dillon Morgan)and Adriana (Gabriela Lawsen) and Luciana (Erin Baird) as well as the Duke (played with Shakespearean authenticity by Anthony Taylor), not only added to my pleasure of the evening, but my understanding of the piece.

There are, among many fine moments, some that stand out. The physical humor, so difficult to do convincingly, was compelling in the hands of Shawn Richard Pereira. The humorously tortured Adriana was fetching and intelligent as portrayed by Gabriela Lawsen. 

Watch and listen for great moments in language as well. Notice the "quothe he" speech, and the description of the kitchen wench, Adriana's married speech, and Shakespeare's ability to frame pure emotion, and Duke Solinus's final summation of the entire plot as he pulls every knot apart and untangles every misconception. I saw and heard in Taylor's reading, Shakespeare himself.

Go! Take the family. Enjoy. PWI!