Review: 'The Comedy of Errors' by Sacred Heart University Theatre Arts Program

“Am I in earth, in heaven, or in hell?
Sleeping or waking, mad or well-advised?” - ANTIPHOLUS OF SYRACUSE

Fairfield, CT - Sacred Heart University’s Theatre Arts Program decided to tackle ‘The Comedy of Errors,’ Shakespeare classic story of mistaken identity. The director John Flaherty set the SHU student actors firmly in the era of the swinging sixties, but the verbiage was most decidedly that of William Shakespeare.

The set designed by the TAP program was a recreation of the wall with window cut-outs that those of us old enough to remember the sixties will recall as a staple of the television show ‘Laugh In.’ Before the comedy began in the university’s Little Theatre, spinning psychedelic patterns of light (designed by Matthew Kreckie) were projected on this wall and some loud sixties music by the Beatles, the Monkees, Simon and Garfunkel and the Beach Boys filled the air. Students far younger than this alum were singing along and the songs definitely set the mood for when the performers entered in authentic sixties costumes designed by Eva Papa. (Unfortunately, no photos of the costumes were available as I write this review.)

So the scene describing the birth of the two sets of twins was ribald and funny and a “rock” on the head of an actor split a boat. There were cartoonish sound effects whene’er a servant was hit. That ‘Laugh In’ wall worked quite well and it was thankfully not overused. The only other scenery were benches painted with peace and love from the sixties. The show seemed just a bit too big for this space, perhaps because of the size of the cast or perhaps in comparison to the large ‘Macbeth’ that had been performed outdoors and had encircled the audience. I liked how one of the Dromios (not sure which one) made one entrance from the side aisle next to my seat for it widened the space just a bit. However, the cast members had perfectly-timed entrances and exits, leaving no down time on the stage between scenes.

The two sets of twins that make the play work were portrayed by four talented SHU actors. Patrick Robinson, a senior who has appeared in or worked backstage for just about everything I have seen at my alma mater, snagged the role of Antipholus of Syracusa. It was no surprise that this young man could switch from the drama of Prospero in ‘The Tempest’ and the leading role of ‘Macbeth’ to bringing out the comedy of his half of the “master” twins. His counterpart from Ephesus was played well by Brendan Borbone, a freshman making his SHU debut.

The “servant” twins were brought to animated life by sophomore Henecy Gomez as Dromio of Ephesus and freshman Isabela Scaglione as the other Dromio. These two young women were equally convincing as the put-upon servants who are as confused as everyone else. Dressed identically, I could only tell them apart because one of the twins had curlier hair; their eye-popping costumes were perfect for their physically demanding roles. Kudos to both girls for nailing their parts and for coming dangerously close to stealing the show right out from under their classmates.

Sven Vogel (‘Macbeth’) aged up for the role of Egeon. Andrew Peloquin played Balthazar and an officer, and freshman Aislin Otero played Angelo the goldsmith in her first performance at SHU. Sophomore Adrianna Barsa made her SHU debut in the role of the second merchant. Sophomore Mary Campione was regal in a pinkish sixties suit as Solinus, the duke of Ephesus and Kevin Carlson, a junior, multitasked as a messenger, the first merchant and as assistant producer.

Jaqueline Clifford did well as the Abbess, Emilia and the wife of one of the Dromios named Luce. Grace Falvey was a lovely Lucianna, the sister of the wives of one of the Antipholus twins. That role was was brought to life by the formidable Mackenzie Page, a senior at SHU who I remembered seeing in ‘Working.’ Ms. Page’s dress featured the best wavy sixties print on this stage.

Amanda Kane, a freshman in her first show at SHU, was wrapped in a sexy velvet bluish dress with white gogo boots for her role as a courtesan. Junior Steve Musitano was quite funny as Dr. Pinch in a silly wig and headband, a jailer and an officer in his SHU debut. Andrew Peloquin (‘The Tempest,’ ‘Working,’ ‘JCS,’ ‘Macbeth,’ and ‘Avenue Q’) covered the roles of Balthazar and yet another officer.

Mr. Flaherty was assisted by Matthew Henshaw and Justin Weigel; the latter gave the curtain speech. The performance fit neatly into 90 minutes, just as promised in said curtain speech. I greeted a bunch of the other SHU performers taking tickets.

‘The Comedy of Errors’ continues through Oct. 15 in the Little Theatre. Tickets are available at the box office. Coming up at SHU will be Lin Manuel Miranda’s ‘In The Heights’ next April, the hysterical ‘Noises Off’ in November, ‘Next to Normal’ in November, ‘Be More Chill’ in February and ‘Cat on a Hot Tin Roof’ in March. Planned for next summer is ‘Godspell’ and ‘Barnum.’

All graphics courtesy of SHU TAP

Nancy Sasso Janis, a proud SHU graduate '81, '89, has been writing theatre reviews since 2012 as a way to support local theatre venues and she posts reviews of well over 100 productions each year. In 2016, she became a member of the Connecticut Critics Circle. She continues to contribute theatre news, previews, and audition notices to local Patch sites. Reviews of all levels of theatrical productions are posted on Naugatuck Patch and the Patch sites closest to the venue. Follow the reviewer on her Facebook pages Nancy Sasso Janis: Theatre Reviewer and Connecticut Theater Previews and on Twitter @nancysjanis417