Make No Mistake, See “Comedy of Errors”By Anna & Wes Hessel

Chicago Shakespeare Theater’s stellar production of “The Comedy of Errors” makes no mistakes – it is fabulous.  This fitting finale for Artistic Director and company co-founder, the legendary Barbara Gaines, showcases her genius. Ms. Gaines, a winner of multiple Jeff Awards, has directed at the Royal Shakespeare Company at Stratford-Upon-Avon, not to mention nearly 70 shows at Chicago Shakespeare, 33 of which are actual works of the Bard himself.

The cast is superb – the entire group of players are magnificent. Bruce A. Young has been along for the whole ride, having delivered the first line on the roof of Red Lion Pub in Henry V, when it all began for the illustrious world-class Shakespeare troupe, and he now brings it again as Monty and The Duke. Making a very notable Chicago Shakespeare debut in the roles of Cyril and Nell is Steve McDonagh. We’d also like to give shout-outs to the lovely and versatile Lillian Castillo, Melanie Brezill, Adia Bell, Breon Arzell, great veterans William Dick and Kevin Gudahl, Michael E. Martin, Russell Mernagh, Susan Moniz, Bill Larkin, Ross Lehman, Ora Jones, Robert Petkoff, Greg Vinkler, Isabella Abel-Suarez, Maya Vinice Prentiss, and Dan Chameroy for his delightful performance and vocals.

The whimsical costumes are both attractive, appropriate, and humorous, especially the duplicate ensembles for the two sets of twins in very pastel colors. This madcap farce, with it’s classic use of the requisite multi-door ins and outs, is absolutely hilarious. Chicago Shakes does the farcical Shakespearen comedies with flawless perfection: impeccable comic timing, very pregnant pauses, and looks that kill – with laughter.

The sets, both that of the play within a movie (in a play) and the 1940 soundstage it is being filmed on, are on point and period-perfect. The props and scene design combine most ideally to set the stage, literally, especially when capped by the timely and striking special effects. All of this has been harnessed to exquisite execution by the the brilliant Barbara – we will miss her but her legacy of innovative settings and exceptional excellence will continue on the stage of Chicago Shakespeare on Navy Pier. “Comedy of Errors” takes its final bow April 23rd, so hurry for tickets or more information to their site, www.chicagoshakes.com.

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