BWW Blog: Amanda Grillo - Luciana's Outlook: The Twinterview

As we now are roughly two weeks from opening, I thought I would be a little punny. Two weeks from opening, I decided to do a "double feature". That's right, I am interviewing both sets of twins! In this "twinterview", we will hear from both Dromios and Antipholuses... Antipholi?

First up is Dromio of Ephesus, portrayed by Dan Marcucio. His favorite part of developing this character is "The freedom to explore the absurdity and lean into the unbelievable to make it believable". An interesting fact about him is that this is his first show after a brief hiatus when he graduated college. I immediately knew one of the questions I had to ask would be about his triumphant return to the stage. When asked about this return, Marcucio informs us, "It's a process. First you go in confidently, and then you get nervous, even scared. After a while it feels like you've never left. Like nothing has changed." As previously mentioned, a large portion of the cast actually attended college together. When asked what this reunion meant to him, he discloses to us, "It has been amazing seeing the men and women they've become and they can see the man I've become. How that comradery translates to the stage is exhilarating."

In addition to acting, Marcucio is also the Fight Captain/Choreographer. When it comes to The Comedy of Errors, he handles every street fight and every slap or pull. "Safety is always the biggest concern. A lot of actors don't stop to think what can go wrong. The goal is to be safe while still maintain the intended slapstick," he explains. As one of the actors who has worked with him on just a stage slap, I can fully agree that Marcucio always makes sure the actors feel comfortable and safe. He breaks it down to the mechanical routes of the steps and then adds the style and character to it.

Who would happen to be the long lost twin to Marcucio's character? Why, that would be Mark Masi and his portrayal of Dromio of Syracuse. Amongst the cast, Masi is known as the high energy, human cartoon character. This description certainly reads in his character on stage. His favorite part of the developing his character is "all of the classic cartoon stuff I get to do," he shares. Some of his cartoon inspirations include Daxter from the video game Jak and Daxter, Bugs Bunny, Wiley Coyote, and more. Masi's character is a very physical presence on stage. Whether he is running around all over the stage or merely reacting in place, one word to NEVER describe his character as is stagnant. He explains that, "The physical comedy in this show really allows me to be in my element." All of Masi's choices are specific and distinct, he goes on to say, "A distinct character makes me a distinct person on stage."

This next twin, without a doubt, pulls double duty. Shawn E. Murray, as introduced in the first article of the series, is our fearless director and Antipholus of Ephesus. I commend any director who also puts himself on stage and still churns out a successful show, and Murray is no different. "Rough, but rewarding. I love directing, but I will always feel at home on stage," he tells us, "It may be bedraggling at times, but thanks to the help behind the table for making it easier, it is worth it." Murray is very grateful to his stage manager and assistant stage manager, trusting their takes and opinions on things he may not be able to see while he is on stage.

Murray's collaboration with his actors is like no other. It is actually one of his favorite parts of the process, "[I really enjoy] collaborating with the actors. Everyone brings something to the table." He is also very impressed with how the actors have been growing and developing their characters. He explained that some of the actors started by basing the character around their own personality, while others built their character from the ground up, creating something totally new. One particular actor he would like to credit is who we will be hearing from next, Enrique Rivera. Rivera and Murray collaborated to build the two Antipholus characters and bring them to life.

Last, but certainly not least, Antipholus of Syracuse is played by Enrique Rivera. This performance is very impressive because not only is this his first Shakespeare role, this is his first time in a comedy. When asked about what it was like to acclimate himself to the new type of role, he shares, "A closer look is required than in contemporary plays. [It's all about] being able to understand the language." Rivera is very much involved in the stage combat. Whether it be street fights with a merchant or slapping around one of the Dromio twins, he shares that the physical comedy and stage combat of the show always keeps his energy up and keeps him on his toes. When asked about developing his character, Rivera discloses, "It's been a gradual process. Nothing comes right away."

Come see The Comedy of Errors on August 12th and 13th on the West Haven Green. The show starts at 8pm, Food trucks will be there at 7pm, and VIP/Priority seating is available for $5.

Hope to see you there! It'll be the bee's knees!

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