Theater Review: 'The Comedy of Errors' at WestRep Stage at WCSU

Review by Connecticut Critics Circle member and Patch Contributor Nancy Sasso Janis

The newly renamed WestRep Stage at Western CT State University is playfully presenting a wonderfully conceived production of William Shakespeare’s “The Comedy of Errors” on the black box stage at the Visual and Performing Arts Center on the Westside campus. Performances continue through Nov. 9 and I strongly encourage patrons of all ages to come out and enjoy one of the remaining shows.

Dramaturgs Annabelle and Jackson remind us that “The Comedy of Errors” is a Shakespeare original –”The 1592 origin of his fascination with identical twins, tragic backstories, headstrong women, token clowns, slapstick, and dramatic denouncements.”

It is not entirely accurate to say that the cast performs on the stage because they play on the elevated catwalk and among the audience in the stadium-style seating. And play they do, in this concept of Shakespeare’s comedy that is most accurately described as fun. Clearly fun for the performers and most certainly for those lucky enough to snag a ticket. Pam McDaniel conceived, adapted and directed this wildly inventive version of this play, and not a musical as the narrator frequently reminds us. (I would insist that the production rises to the status of a play with music.)

There is so much added to the script that makes the performance so much fun. The preshow has the audience playing games led by a member of the cast as the others warm up on the stage, bringing some backstage antics to the forefront. The audience is taught the motions for one of the transitions between scenes and there is even a bit of audience participation that involves briefly joining the cast onstage. “There was no hiding behind a fourth wall in Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre, nor will there be within our little-but-fierce replica.” We are invited to take part in the silliness and shenanigans. “This is a comedy of our own.”

The company performs “Comedy Tonight” on kazoos and ends the show with a chorus of ukuleles. The members of the chorus become musicians for what I would call a silly instrument band, although Mireya Trelles performs on keyboard. The narrator provides sound effects on slide whistle, cowbell and a bird whistle. I loved the addition of some contemporary language for comedic effect, and props to props coordinator Colleen Callahan on a whimsical collection.

I came away feeling like a groundling, a commoner who was too poor to be able to sit on one of the three levels of a theater in Shakespeare’s time. By paying one penny, groundlings could stand in the tightly packed pit below the stage to watch the play. (I mean this as a high compliment to the vision.)

The choreography by Lauren Datillo includes playful ensemble dances and some acrobatic moves for the clowns. Sebastian Martelle is the credited music director (I told you so!) John Hickok worked as the coach of the physical comedy (and there is plenty of that!) Lighting designer Hudson Schlumberger lights the space well with often mottled lighting, and then highlights someone in the audience. Meredith Yoho serves as the technical director.

Scenic designer Maureen Freedman brings a perfectly useful, two level space to the stage. The use of wood adds to the groundling feel and works perfectly with the peasant look of the costumes designed by Brenda Phelps. Joni Johns Lerner works as the production manager.

Every member of the cast is credited as “company member” because a subset of students were required to prepare to perform each of the roles. They literally did not learn which actor would “go on” until immediately before the performance, when an audience member was asked to draw a name from a basket. The students added their costume pieces on the stage with the help of a backstage worker and then the cast began to bring the words of Shakespeare to life.

I checked with a member of the cast that this was, in fact, how each performance was cast. Some brave university students learned the lines for more than one of the smaller roles. I cannot even imagine taking on such a task, especially in a work of Shakespeare. Kudos to these up and coming performers on rising to this challenge.

It would not be fair to credit the students that I saw performing the leading roles at the (full house) matinee that I attended. Every performer did an admirable job with their characters and worked as a well-rehearsed team to tell this delightful story filled with mistaken identity and delightfully cartoonish touches.

The excellent cast includes (in alphabetical order) Asia Aloma, Caroline Benzi, Annabelle Colonna, Nathan Corbett, Crowley, Lauren Dattilo, Ethan Doyle, Lindsay Hayes, Grace Henderson, Bella Husk, Sebastian Martelle, Jackson Owen, Elise Petro, Riley Quinn-Caruso, Sophian Reidy, Emily Sullivan, Mireya Trelles and Brianna Wright.

The performance runs 90ish minutes. For tickets and more info: https://westrepstage.org/event/the-comedy-of-errors/

Next up is “Machinal” by Sophie Treadwell, directed by Annie G. Levy, running Nov. 21 - 23.