Comedy of Errors is Good Comedy Indeed

The first play I ever saw at the Tisbury Amphitheater, home of the annual Vineyard Playhouse outdoors Shakespeare productions, was “As You Like It” in 1989. Since then, I've made it to many others, but this year's “,” directed by Chelsea McCarthy, is definitely up near the top of the list.

McCarthy, who is a veteran actor (she was in her first Amphitheater play at 11) and costume designer, takes her first stab at directing with “Comedy of Errors.” Newcomer to directing or no, it is obvious at every turn that she knows how to put together a tight, fast-paced and uproariously funny production.

"My hope is that people just fall in love with it the way I do, fall in love with the actors, the text, with Shakespeare. So that when they leave they say, 'I love theater!'" said McCarthy.

The playbill advertises “Comedy of Errors” as: “2 sets of identical twins! Mistaken identities! Mass confusion! Happy ending!” One of Shakespeare's shortest plays, Comedy of Errors is also one of his most confusing. If not done well, this play can be frustrating at best and annoying at worst. However, this production—with its strategically marked entrances and exits —catches the audience up in the comedy of the confusion, rather than irritating them with it.

McCarthy credits her cast. "It came together better than I imagined. I am in awe of the cast, their commitment and hard work. There are no weak spots."

There are in fact, a number of extremely strong spots. Specifically, Ben Mankoff, who plays Antipholus of Syracuse and Liz Michael Hartford, who plays Adriana. However, the ones that kept the whole audience laughing out loud— including both my 9 year old and 12 year old—were the two Dromios. Played by Dylan Schwartz-Wallach and Jacob Tischler, these two new recruits to the Vineyard Playhouse from Carnegie Mellon are as equally talented as their characters are alike. "They just showed up and auditioned this summer and I said, 'Yup. OK. Great. Absolutely want you guys," said McCarthy.

The play is filled to the top with slapstick humor and features fight choreography by John Robichau, who played Romeo in an Amphitheater production a few years ago. Since then has gone to Tisch School of the Arts at NYU to study acting and fight choreography. "John created the most fun, ridiculously silly fights. He was another gift. He’s family," said McCarthy.

The Amphitheater, tucked into the side of a hill in the woods above Lake Tashmoo, is one of the most idyllic places to see a play. Guests make an evening out of it, bringing wine and food (and bug spray). Lawn chairs aren't necessary, but are definitely allowed. "It's one of my favorite places in the world," said McCarthy. "There's something about it that just makes it really easy to watch the show."

The show runs for approximately 75 minutes with no interruption. The audience was full of all age groups—including my said 9 year old, who doesn't sit still for much, but who was engaged, thrilled and thoroughly entertained from beginning to end. As was I, and there's not much more you can ask for than that.

The Comedy of Errors runs through August 14. The show start a 5 p.m., Wednesday through Saturday, with a final Sunday performance on the 14th.

Tickets are $15, $10 for those 18 and under. Children under 2 are free. All tickets are sold at the Amphitheater on the afternoon of the show, cash only.