” The Comedy of Errors” reviewed by Amy Menzel

[rating=4]If you’re lucky, summer brings about Shakespeare in the Park. Milwaukee, you’re lucky. And you’re really lucky that Optimist Theatre is celebrating its 10th season of offering Shakespeare in the Park for free, this year with The Comedy of Errors playing now through July 13 at the Peck Pavilion. I was eager to see the production and introduce some Shakespeare newbies to the Bard, so I brought my husband and stepson to see the preview performance Wednesday, June 26.

It was a beautiful night for anything outdoors and, after 8 months of winter, Wisconsinites were ready to enjoy it. With everything else going on around town (Brewers game, Summerfest, River Rhythms right across the way), it might be easy to overlook the outdoor theater tucked along the river on Water Street. That would be a mistake. It’s a fantastic venue that seats 396 with no seat all that much better than the next. We had our choice of seats for the preview performance and my stepson made sure we sat exactly center.

I did a little prep work with both the guys prior to the show, bringing the English teacher in me out of summer hibernation for just a moment. I explained that the story revolves around the confusion of two sets of twins, both separated at infancy. And I told them that it’s not important to catch every word spoken, but to try and understand the general idea. (More “top tips for communing with the Bard” are offered in the playbill.) If 14 years of teaching English has taught me anything, it’s that, unfortunately, Shakespeare can be a hard sell. I think starting with a comedy gives you a leg up, and it helps to acknowledge the poetic language before it hits their ears. Now, the drama of the first scene, including Egeon’s emotional monologue, powerfully performed by James Pickering, initially challenged my “it’s funny!” claim. But patience is key in appreciating Shakespeare and the guys were patient. Something, too, about the set, designed in colors that would make any Miami Vice fan smile, along with the contemporary music used through scene transitions, alluded to the fun that would follow.

Soon we are whisked into the mistaken identity frenzy in the city of Ephesus. It’s all fun for the audience, even when it’s seemingly agony for some of the characters. No one in the audience felt bad for laughing though, and there were a lot of laughs despite the small audience for the preview performance. The Dromio twins, played by Rebekah Farr and Cole Conrad, are especially apt at comedic performances, both well versed in physical comedy and great at delivering perfect facial expressions. I leaned over to make note of the facial expressions, in particular, to my stepson throughout the show, who also seemed to be getting a kick out of the two. The portrayal of Robert Spencer as Nell the Kitchen Wench also led to almost immediate laughs. (Spencer also plays the roles of Duke Solinus and Dr. Pinch.) All in all, the cast brought the farcical story to the stage with energy and emotion.

Parts of the production seemed to indulge a bit heavily into the emotional affairs of the characters. Adriana’s impassioned concerns about her husband (as mistaken for his twin), for example, were beautifully delivered by Katherine Norman, but slowed the fervent pace that might otherwise lead to more energy and more laughs. Perhaps, too, this was my view as I eagerly introduced Shakespeare to my husband and our 12-year-old.

We did enjoy the show and, dare I say, I don’t think I’ll have to drag the guys back to see more Shakespeare in the Park. I think those gents shall join me most willingly. Bravo to Optimist Theatre. They definitely achieved their goal “to serve as a ‘gateway’ theater, bringing new audiences to the arts.”

★★★★

The production runs 2 hours with a 15-minute intermission.

My stepson recommends buying the cookie you want so badly before the show, since The River’s Edge Patio was closed by the time of intermission. This may be due to the small crowd for the preview performance, but it’s good to be aware. Otherwise, the location offers concessions and a full cash bar.

For other notes regarding the venue and seating, visit the Optimist Theatre website here.

Show times are as follows:

Sunday, June 30 – 7:30 p.m.

Tuesday, July 2 – noon

Friday, July 5 – 8 p.m.

Saturday, July 6 – 8 p.m.

Sunday, July 7 – 7:30 p.m.

Tuesday, July 9 – noon

Thursday, July 11 – 8 p.m.

Friday, July 12 – 8 p.m.

Saturday, July 13 – 8 p.m.

Photo credit is Michelle Owczarski.