The Two Gentlemen of Verona is Shakespeare’s earliest comedy but includes many of the same elements we recognize from his later plays – cross-dressing disguises, madcap comic servants, witty banter and absurd love triangles. Young Proteus bids a tearful goodbye to Verona and his girlfriend Julia to join his lifelong friend Valentine in service of the Duke of Milan, where he immediately falls in love with Valentine’s beloved, Silvia. Julia dresses as a boy, travels to Milan and is employed as Proteus’ page, where she finds herself in the unenviable position of being the liaison between her boyfriend and his new girlfriend. Director Pandora Robertson adds a fairytale setting and a physical style reminiscent of Commedia dell’Arte.
Admission is FREE. Bring a blanket or a lawn chair, along with sunscreen and/or bug spray.
Tours in repertory with Measure for Measure through August 4. See www.cleveshakes.org for a full schedule.
The Cleveland Shakespeare Festival receives public support with local tax dollars from Cuyahoga Arts & Culture, to preserve and enrich our region’s artistic and cultural heritage.