Theatre & Stage reviews by SalsaChicago.com critic Al Bresloff

"The Comedy of Errors" (thru March 19)

Chicago Shakespeare Theater on Navy Pier is now presenting the "Short Shakespeare" production of "The Comedy of Errors".This is part of their weekend family program and will run every Saturday at 11 a.m. until March 19th. This is a delightful way to spend time together as a family while introducing the children to the works of William Shakespeare. The production is geared towards teaching the children (and adults as well) that Shakespeare can be a joy to watch. Introducing one's family to "live" theater is the concept and one that works very well with this production. This is the story of Two sets of twins, one set being wealthy and the other being their servants. They arrive in a new city only to find that everyone knows them and what transpires is mayhem and madness as these identical twin brothers and their identical twin servants get lost in the mixed up world of mistaken identities.This production is set in the Depression era and makes it a play-within-a-play so we begin the show with janitors being needed to be actors as some of the actors have not made it to the theater; sets are wrong for the original show, and then the costumes arrive and they are indeed for a different show, thus the Comedy of Errors begins with just that, a comedy of errors!

Directed by David H. Bell, one knows going in that this will be a fun show. Mr. Bell is one of Chicago's finest director/choreographers with the perfect touch. One can see his mark from the very start and he has put together a fine cast of players to make this 75 minute comedy non-stop laughter for young and old, alike.The sets of twins (who by the way look nothing alike, so we the audience can tell what is happening) are handled with great ability by Krishna Le Fan and Braden Moran as the Lords and Blaine Hogan and the hysterical Will Dickerson as the servants. While these characters are indeed the main ones, as always, it takes the ensemble players to make the play work. This cast is comprised of newcomers and experienced actors: Jose Antonio Garcia ,McKinley Carter (always a fine performance),Michael Andrew Gorman (who handles many parts with just the right touch), Michelle Hensley, Timothy W. Hull, Jonathan Pereira, Joe Schnenck, David Tibble and Lucia Spina - These actors are what makes a production a production.

The set by Tom Burch is unusual in that since there is another production (at nights) on the stage, they are working with what has already been built and adding to it- it works!The lighting by Charles Jolls and sound by Scott Iseri work well with the set and the costumes by Ann Kazmanic add just the right touch to the show. This is a show that must be seen and so with the aid of their sponsors Quaker/Pepsico tickets are $10 for students and $15 for adults. Part of the beauty of this 75 minutes of theater is that after the show the actors come on stage and answer questions, then go out to the lobby to sign autographs and talk with the audience while health snacks are served by the Quaker Oats people. To purchase tickets call (312)595-5600 or visit www.Chicagoshakes.com.