‘Comedy of Errors’: Slapsticklers for Detail

ORANGE — Shakespeare Orange County is doing something different this year. Instead of opening with a one-person show, as it has in the past, its curtain-raiser is “A Comedy of Errors,” featuring Chapman University theater students, most of whom will have supporting roles during SOC’s professional season.

It’s not a bad choice. The energy and inventiveness of the performers is given free rein, and most of the shtick is bright and often very funny. Under Thomas F. Bradac’s spirited direction, this “Comedy” has few errors, and even its radical anachronisms somehow make sense.

Antipholus of Syracuse (Sean Cox) and his servant Dromio (Peter Westenhofer) arrive in Ephesus unaware that both of their identical twins--they were separated in infancy by a shipwreck--are established residents there. The resulting mass of confusion provided Shakespeare with the basis for his funniest comedy, and the chance to observe that nothing in life must be taken at face value.

Antipholus of Ephesus (Matthew McCray) and his Dromio (Erik Peterson) intermix frequently with their brothers in Bradac’s cohesive cutting of the play. Purses of money, a golden chain, a rope and various stern orders wind up with the wrong parties at a speed reminiscent of the Marx Brothers at their most frantic. And one original bit, the confusion when Antipholus of Syracuse is dining with Adriana, the wife of Antipholus of Ephesus, and the latter Antipholus is refused admission to his own home, has the lunacy of the best silent comedies.

Not all of the company members rise to the occasion, but for the most part their enthusiasm excuses some dull readings and some heavy-handed mugging.

While McCray’s Antipholus of Ephesus is pretty standard, Cox’s Antipholus of Syracuse has many moments of comic delight, and his timing is impeccable. Westenhofer’s Dromio tries very hard for laughs, sometimes too hard, but Peterson’s Dromio is so sincere in his confusion that he makes a funny character even more so, and his sense of physical comedy stands out.

Christina M. Vecchiato is strong as Adriana, as is Samantha Klein as her sister; each succeeds with deadpan delivery. Susie Huarte is also good as the courtesan whom Antipholus of Ephesus visits when he can’t get into his house.

Wesley Hunt, who also wrote the original music with Craig Brown, is the outrageous Pinch, a conjurer who tries to exorcise the purported madness out of Antipholus of Ephesus. Hunt’s con-man witch doctor is a wildly eccentric set-piece, but no more out of place in this raucous production than the anachronistic costume design by Gina Davidson, styled vaguely in the 16th century but highlighted by such sight gags as the Dromios’ tennis shoes.

* “A Comedy of Errors,” Shakespeare Orange County, Schweitzer Mall Stage, Chapman University Campus, 301 E. Palm Ave., Orange. Thursday-Saturday, 8 p.m.; Sunday, 6 p.m. Ends June 29. $21. (714) 744-7016. Running time: 1 hour, 40 minutes.

Sean Cox: Antipholus of Syracuse

Matthew McCray: Antipholus of Ephesus

Peter Westenhofer: Dromio of Syracuse

Erik Peterson: Dromio of Ephesus

Christina M. Vecchiato: Adriana

Samantha Klein: Luciana

Susie Huarte: Courtesan

Wesley Hunt: Pinch

A Shakespeare Orange County production of Shakespeare’s comedy. Directed by Thomas F. Bradac. Scenic/sound design: Craig Brown. Lighting design: Ron Coffman. Costume design: Gina Davidson. Original music: Craig Brown/Wesley Hunt.Stage manager: Renee Hill.