Photo Coverage: Chicago Shakespeare in the Parks Opens THE COMEDY OF ERRORS
By: Robert Diamond Jul. 28, 2013
Chicago Shakespeare Theater (CST) launches today its 2013 citywide tour of Chicago Park District neighborhood parks at Eckhart Park (1330 West Chicago Avenue), following two preview performances at Navy Pier's Gateway Park. The Comedy of Errors, this summer's Chicago Shakespeare in the Parks production, is touring FREE FOR ALL to neighborhood parks across Chicago, now through August 25, 2013. Chicago Shakespeare Theater, the City of Chicago, Chicago Park District and leaders of Chicago's corporate community have partnered to expand the Chicago Shakespeare in the Parks program, after its inaugural success in 2012. This summer, Chicagoans will have direct access to their City's cultural resources with a choice of 26 free Shakespeare performances presented in 18 different neighborhood parks.
Shakespeare's popular comedy about mistaken identities, The Comedy of Errors, is adapted and directed by Jeff Awardwinning director and choreographer, David H. Bell. The story unfolds when Antipholus and his servant Dromio travel from Syracuse to Ephesus searching for their long-lost identical twin brothers. Mistaken identities make for hilarious complications and comedic chaos gives way to clarity when a baffling day makes way for a joyous conclusion.
Paul Hurley and Andy Lutz appear as the identical twin brothers Antipholus of Syracuse and Antipholus of Ephesus, respectively. The brothers' identical twin servants are Dromio of Syracuse, performed by Samuel Taylor, and Dromio of Ephesus performed by Jürgen Hooper. Adriana, the wife of Antipholus of Syracuse, is performed by Lanise Antoine Shelley and her sister, Luciana, is performed by Tiffany Yvonne Cox. The cast of Comedy of Errors also includes: Christophé Abiel as the Duke/Balthazar; Jeffrey Baumgartner as Egeon/Luce and Pinch; Yadira Correa as the Courtesan/Abbess; and Marvin Quijada as Angelo. Completing the ensemble are Wesley Daniel, Jacob Grubb and P. Tucker Worley.
Costume designer Ana Kuzmanic, associate costume designer Jeremy Floyd and set designer Tom Burch bring the physical world of The Comedy of Errors to life. The production team also includes sound design by Scotty Iseri, wig and make-up design by Melissa Veal and prop master Chelsea Meyers. The expanded citywide tour is made possible by a renewed civic, cultural and corporate partnership between Chicago Shakespeare Theater, the City of Chicago, Chicago Park District and The Boeing Company. Additional support for the program is provided by production sponsor for The Comedy of Errors BMO Harris Bank, lead sponsors BlueCross and BlueShield of Illinois, Madison Dearborn Partners, the National Endowment for the Arts, and the Chicago Shakespeare Trust, as well as Mayor Emanuel's commitment to support the Chicago Park District's programs and provide family activities throughout the City's parks with the "Night Out in the Parks" initiative.
Following preview performances in Gateway Park at Navy Pier on Friday, July 26 and Saturday, July 27, the opening performance of Chicago Shakespeare in the Parks is at Eckhart Park on Sunday, July 28, 4:00 pm. Tour performances travel to Chicago Park District North Region: Frank J. Wilson Park, Loyola Park, Riis Park and Welles Park. Central Region: Eckhart Park, Douglas Park, Dvorak Park, Garfield Park Conservatory, Humboldt Park and Piotrowski Park. South Region: Gage Park, Hamilton Park, Marquette Park, Ridge Park, South Shore Cultural Center, Tuley Park and Washington Park. For a complete schedule, go to www.chicagoshakes.com/parks.
Chicago Shakespeare in the Parks is inspired by the open air setting in which Shakespeare's plays were originally performed more than 400 years ago, and Joseph Papp's twentieth century American initiative that brought free Shakespeare to urban communities. This summer, a specially equipped truck will roll into each park, a stage will unfold and CST actors will perform a 75-minute production of The Comedy of Errors. Touring to neighborhoods across the City, the free performances of Shakespeare's The Comedy of Errors will contribute to the activation of parks this summer with programming that attracts families, breaking down barriers to arts participation and encouraging young family members to take part in Chicago's Summer of Learning program. Young audience members have an opportunity to learn about the art of storytelling in the context of a professional theatrical production. After seeing the play, students will be prompted to reflect on their experience and respond to their favorite elements of the production through take-home questions printed in the program. Completion of the activities will earn each young person a ?Bard Badge.
A complete Chicago Shakespeare in the Parks map and schedule is attached. For more information on Chicago Shakespeare in the Parks, visit www.chicagoshakes.com/parks For more information about "Night out in the Parks," visit www.nightoutintheparks.com; and for more information about Chicago's Summer of Learning and earning badges, please visit www.chicagosummeroflearning.org.
Photos by Chuck Osgood.
Samuel Taylor and Paul Hurley as Dromio and Antipholus of Syracuse are shocked to encounter their long-lost twins, Jurgen Hooper and Andy Lutz as Dromio and Antipholus of Ephesus
The madcap company of The Comedy of Errors
At every stop on the 18 park tour, a specially equipped truck rolls into the park, a stage unfolds and CST actors perform a 75-minute family-friendly production of The Comedy of Errors
The madcap company in the Chicago Shakespeare in the Parks
Tiffany Yvonne Cox as Luciana shares a quiet moment with her sister, Lanise Antoine Shelley as Adriana
Young audience members
The Bumbellini, performed by Wesley Daniel, Jacob Grubb, and P. Tucker Worley
A specially equipped truck rolls into each park, a stage unfolds and CST actors perform
The men of Ephesus
High jinks and confusion make for a hilarious romp
CST Wig and Make-up Designer, Melissa Veal does a final touch-up on Paul Hurley
Mistaking him for her husband, Lanise Antoine Shelley as Adriana seduces Paul Hurley as Antipholus of Syracuse while Sam Taylor, as his confused servant Dromio of Syracuse, looks on
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