Twins, Shipwrecks, Slapstick And Kazoos, Too
This article originally appeared on March 27, 2014, in Compass, published by The Lakeville Journal Co.
Theater: ‘The Boys From Syracuse’
By Darryl Gangloff
This opening line, “If it’s good enough for Shakespeare, it’s good enough for us,” backed by blaring kazoos, perfectly sums up Rodgers and Hart’s comedic musical “The Boys from Syracuse,” based on Shakespeare’s “The Comedy of Errors.”
This 1938 Broadway musical is full of slapstick, jokes and silly props that you might miss if you blink. It also features some wonderful performances, under the direction of Lou Trapani.
The plot follows Antipholus of Ephesus and Antipholus of Syracuse, identical twins who were separated as children in a shipwreck. Their servants, each named Dromio, are also long-lost twins. A comedy of errors ensues when the boys from Syracuse arrive in Ephesus and are confused for their brothers. All of their problems could have been avoided if they had had different names, but let’s not talk about that.
Instead, let’s talk about the cast. The two Dromios and the two Antipholuses (Antipholi?) are the four pillars of this musical. David Foster and Zack Marshall are the Antipholus and Dromio of Ephesus, and Fred Fishberg and Patrick McGriff are the Antipholus and Dromio of Syracuse. On stage, these actors could truly be twins wearing matching togas. I actually found it difficult to tell them apart at times, which is a good thing. They would disappear and reappear through various entrances and exits in the set, just missing each other.
The Dromios both mastered the deadpan delivery of one-liners followed by a rimshot — ba-da-BUM — and their physical comedy keeps them moving for most of the show. Marshall also shows his serious side when he drops his Cary Grant impersonation and belts out a beautiful rendition of “Big Brother,” asking for his twin to find him.
Lisa Lynds portrays Luce, the wife of Dromio of Ephesus, while Amy Gustin is Adriana, the wife of Antipholus of Ephesus. They both mistake the boys from Syracuse as their husbands, leading to some great comedic moments. Adriana’s sister, Luciana, brought to life by Molly Feibel, also gets caught up in the confusion. These three women have impressive voices, which harmonize delightfully in “Sing For Your Supper.”
Many in the cast play multiple roles. Katlyn McManamon, Grace Obee and Vera Perry all play maids but also put on ridiculously large beards for other characters.
In an interesting twist, this exact cast will play their roles in “The Comedy of Errors” at the Center once this run of “The Boys from Syracuse” is complete. The Shakespearean play will be directed by Lynds.
The CENTERstage production of “The Boys from Syracuse” is at the Center for Performing Arts in Rhinebeck, March 28 and 29 at 8 p.m., and March 30 at 3 p.m. “The Comedy of Errors” will run April 4 to 13. For tickets, call 845-876-3080 or go to www.centerforperformingarts.org.
Theater: ‘The Boys From Syracuse’
By Darryl Gangloff
This opening line, “If it’s good enough for Shakespeare, it’s good enough for us,” backed by blaring kazoos, perfectly sums up Rodgers and Hart’s comedic musical “The Boys from Syracuse,” based on Shakespeare’s “The Comedy of Errors.”
This 1938 Broadway musical is full of slapstick, jokes and silly props that you might miss if you blink. It also features some wonderful performances, under the direction of Lou Trapani.
The plot follows Antipholus of Ephesus and Antipholus of Syracuse, identical twins who were separated as children in a shipwreck. Their servants, each named Dromio, are also long-lost twins. A comedy of errors ensues when the boys from Syracuse arrive in Ephesus and are confused for their brothers. All of their problems could have been avoided if they had had different names, but let’s not talk about that.
Instead, let’s talk about the cast. The two Dromios and the two Antipholuses (Antipholi?) are the four pillars of this musical. David Foster and Zack Marshall are the Antipholus and Dromio of Ephesus, and Fred Fishberg and Patrick McGriff are the Antipholus and Dromio of Syracuse. On stage, these actors could truly be twins wearing matching togas. I actually found it difficult to tell them apart at times, which is a good thing. They would disappear and reappear through various entrances and exits in the set, just missing each other.
The Dromios both mastered the deadpan delivery of one-liners followed by a rimshot — ba-da-BUM — and their physical comedy keeps them moving for most of the show. Marshall also shows his serious side when he drops his Cary Grant impersonation and belts out a beautiful rendition of “Big Brother,” asking for his twin to find him.
Lisa Lynds portrays Luce, the wife of Dromio of Ephesus, while Amy Gustin is Adriana, the wife of Antipholus of Ephesus. They both mistake the boys from Syracuse as their husbands, leading to some great comedic moments. Adriana’s sister, Luciana, brought to life by Molly Feibel, also gets caught up in the confusion. These three women have impressive voices, which harmonize delightfully in “Sing For Your Supper.”
Many in the cast play multiple roles. Katlyn McManamon, Grace Obee and Vera Perry all play maids but also put on ridiculously large beards for other characters.
In an interesting twist, this exact cast will play their roles in “The Comedy of Errors” at the Center once this run of “The Boys from Syracuse” is complete. The Shakespearean play will be directed by Lynds.
The CENTERstage production of “The Boys from Syracuse” is at the Center for Performing Arts in Rhinebeck, March 28 and 29 at 8 p.m., and March 30 at 3 p.m. “The Comedy of Errors” will run April 4 to 13. For tickets, call 845-876-3080 or go to www.centerforperformingarts.org.