Last spring, the Education Department of Virginia Stage Company had just launched a 2020 tour of Comedy of Errors intended for student audiences just as the COVID-19 global pandemic hit. Around the same time, Steve Pacek was starring in Virginia Stage Company’s comedic hit The Legend of Georgia McBride. Both productions were forced to shut down mid-run. Now, the show has new life thanks to several community partners and outdoor venues.

Virginia Stage Company’s Public Works Virginia is touring Comedy of Errors to public outdoor playing spaces across Hampton Roads. This zany and unexpected adaptation of Shakespeare's play, adapted by Ryan Clemens (VSC’s A Christmas Carol, Meet Mark Twain) and directed by Steve Pacek (VSC’s The Legend of Georgia McBride, The Hound of the Baskervilles) goes beyond the schtick to play with the concept of family and the power of belonging. Check out vastage.org or our Facebook page for tour schedule updates, and RSVP to your performance here.

About the Show from Director of Public Works Patrick Mullins:
"Seeing local professional actors alongside emerging artists from our Public Works program is exciting! We are very proud of our work with Access Virginia and Armed Services Arts Partnerships that allows us to introduce exciting new talent to the region."

Check out some photos from the rehearsal process:

Photos by Ryan Clemens and Mindy Brown

From Director Steve Pacek:
"What a delight it has been to get back to working with fellow artists and storytellers. And what a story we get to tell! Our collective spirits have all been craving to be able to do what we love to do, and this Comedy 'Shakespeare-in-the-Park style' is the perfect way to do it! We hope to tickle some socially distant funny bones this May and bring some laughter back to the world."

FUN FACTS ABOUT COMEDY OF ERRORS:

The first page of the play, printed in the First Folio of 1623

The Comedy of Errors is thought to be one of Shakespeare's earliest works, his first comedy, that was performed in December 1594 as part of Christmas festivities.

The plot was not original, as was common practice at the time. Shakespeare based his adaptation on works by Plautus: his most highly respected comedy, the Menaechmi, and Amphitruo.

The Comedy of Errors is Shakespeare’s shortest play, only 1,777 words!

Shakespeare based The Comedy of Errors and its cast of oft-zany characters within the heightened comedic stylings of Commedia dell’arte. Commedia dell'arte is an early form of professional theater, originating in Italy, that was popular throughout Europe from the 16th to the 18th century.

Check out the great resources we referenced at the bottom of the page!

About the Adaptation from Ryan Clemens:
“Obviously, the biggest inspiration came from the text and the great bard himself. I have several Shakespeare books here at home I used for reference and ideas. For some extra comedic punch I watched Looney Tunes cartoons, screwball comedy movies like “Airplane” and The Marx Brothers, browsed Instagram (of course), and channeled the spirit of Improvisational Comedy to help create our show.”

CAST & CREATIVES

PATRICK MULLINS (Director of Public Works) Recent directing and adaptation projects include The Tempest with music by Jake Hull and puppetry by Paperhand Puppet Intervention; The Taming of the Shrew, a synth-pop fantasia mixing Shakespeare’s text with the music of Jacki Paolella; Beneath the Surface, an immersive performance event at the Hermitage Museum and Gardens; The Tempest with music by Jean Sibelius performed with the Virginia Symphony Orchestra at Chrysler Hall; Swingtime Salute, a 1940's music revue on the deck of the USS Wisconsin; and Midsummer Fantasy Festival – an immersive Shakespearean festival/visual art installation/ performance event in Town Point Park. Patrick has directed work across the country, is a professor at Old Dominion University, and is a frequent collaborator with Norfolk State University Theatre Company. He holds an MFA in acting from the University of South Carolina. Pmull.com

STEVE PACEK (Director) is thrilled to be back at Virginia Stage Company, and to be creating a piece of theatre for the first time after a year in a pandemic! He was last seen at VSC as Miss Tracy Mills in The Legend of Georgia McBride, and before that, as Sir Henry in The Hound of the Baskervilles. His directing credits include: The Light Princess and The Cat in the Hat (Arden Theatre Co.); The Syringa Tree (Theatre Horizon); God of Carnage (Hangar Theatre); The World Goes Round (11th Hour); Basic Witches (Philly Fringe); and [Untitled Project] #213 at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. Steve is also a teaching artist at the University of the Arts in Philadelphia and the Jen Waldman Studio in NYC. He is a co-founder and Associate Artistic Director of 11th Hour Theatre Company in Philadelphia and sits on the Board of Directors for Theatre Philadelphia. They say that laughter is the best medicine. Here's to healing times for us all...!

MINDY BROWN (Wife, Merchant) This is Mindy’s second production with Public Works and VSC. She played the king’s translator in The Tempest and is thrilled to be joining Public Works again as part of VSC touring company in Comedy of Errors. She grew up in NYC - lived, worked and created many musical interpretations throughout Europe - Los Angeles -New York and Virginia. In The Netherlands she had the honor of appearing in the BEAST DVD with Frédérique Spigt a well known Dutch Musical Artist. She was integrated into the show as a band member, her instrument being her body and creating EYE Music.

RYAN CLEMENS (Dromio of Ephesus, Kitchen Wench) is proud to work both on the main stage and with VSC's Education Department. VSC patrons may remember Ryan as Mr. Wormwood in Matilda; Trinculo in The Tempest; Lieutenant Brannigan in Guys & Dolls; Vinnie in The Odd Couple; Mortimer in The Fantasticks; Bob Cratchit, Old Joe, or Ghost of Christmas Present in several years' versions of A Christmas Carol; or as his famous relative Sam Clemens in his one-man show Meet Mark Twain. Originally from Wyoming, Ryan began his career in a travelling Wild West show. He has worked at theaters around the country, including several seasons locally with the Virginia Shakespeare Festival and Tidewater Stage Company. He performs with Plan B Comedy at Zeider's American Dream Theatre. Ryan holds a BA in Theatre from Western Washington University and an MFA in Acting from Regent University. He also teaches at ODU. www.clemensistwain.com

TREZURE COLES (Luciana, Executioner) is a senior drama theatre performance major at Norfolk State University. She is originally and currently lives in Newport News, Virginia. This is Trezure’s fourth time working under the Virginia Stage Company. Next stop for Ms.Coles will be attending Graduate school at Florida State University: ASOLO Conservatory Acting program.

MIGUEL GIRONA (Dromio of Syracuse) is honored to be a part of such an amazing cast and project. Miguel has been on the boards of many area community theaters such as The Generic Theater, Little Theatre of Norfolk, Williamsburg Players, PCT and Panglossian. Other notable stage appearances include Solario/Solarino in The Merchant Of Venice, Sir Eglamour in Two Gentlemen of Verona and Messalla in Julius Caesar at the Virginia Shakespeare Festival, Landscaper in Native Gardens and Antipholus of Syracuse in Comedy Of Errors (School Tour) at the Virginia Stage Company, Banquo in Voodoo Macbeth at Zeider’s, as well as Morrocco/Solario/Duke/Tubal in The Merchant of Venice at Quill Theater.

TALJEED HARDY (Antipholus of Ephesus, Assistant Stage Manager) returns to Virginia Stage Company after having previously appeared in The Tempest, and The Wiz co-production with NSU. He has also appeared in August Wilson's Fences, Black Nativity, Ruined, Gem of the Ocean, The Amen Corner, & A Soldiers Play with Norfolk State University Theatre Company. He is a New Orleans, Louisiana native who has received a BA in Norfolk State University’s award-winning Drama and Theatre degree program. He is the recipient of the NSU Theatre Company’s Best Supporting Actor, Outstanding Leadership, Sustained Academic Excellence, Excellence in Stage Management Awards, and will be attending the University of Louisville in the fall to begin receiving his MFA in Performance.

LEVONTE’ HERBERT (Antipholus of Syracuse): Levonte’ returns to Virginia Stage Company after having previously appeared in A Christmas Carol, The Bluest Eye, and The Wiz co-production with NSU. He has also appeared in August Wilson's Fences, Black Nativity, Ruined, A Soldiers Play, & The Colored Museum with Norfolk State University Theatre Company. He is a Richmond, Virginia native who was in the Inaugural Graduating Class of Norfolk State University’s award-winning BA in Drama and Theatre degree program. He is the recipient of the NSU Theatre Company’s Most Improved Actor, Best Lead Actor, and Director’s Awards and is a second-year MFA graduate acting student at the University of Southern California.

CANDUNN L. JENNETTE (Duke, Adriana, Kim Karcourtesan) of, Chesapeake, Virginia, has an unwavering love for the arts. Early on she performed at Portsmouth, Virginia's Willett Hall, in the historic musical of love, The Color Purple, nationally recognized company. Candunn ventured to land the role of “Anna” a DID victim, in “Anna Alone”, with the nationally recognized Norfolk State University Theatre Company. This led Candunn to win the award for the Best Breakout Actress, with the company. Shortly thereafter, Candunn took the stage in other productions with NSU, as “Lady in Green” in Ntozake Shange’s For Colored Girls, “Rose” in August Wilson’s Fences, and a host of other performances. As she completes her Bachelors of Arts in Drama and Theatre Arts, she continues to immerse herself in writing, directing, scenic design, costume design, film work, and voiceovers. Candunn continues to excel and with her deep love and desire to transform the community, achieving internal and external success.

KARESE KAW-UH (Stage Manager) is thrilled to work with such a great company of talent. She previously performed in the VSC’s Comedy of Errors educational tour and A Christmas Carol, served as an Assistant to the Director for Sense & Sensibility and Guys & Dolls, and was the Production Assistant for The Tempest. Karese recently premiered in the one-woman show, “This’ll Only Take a Second,” with the Zeiders American Dream Theatre, served as Guest Musical Director for a local high school’s Musical Theater Showcase, and is also a Kindergarten Teaching Aide. She has a BA in Theater Arts Administration from Christopher Newport University and will be attending the University of Hawaii at Manoa for an MFA in Theater for Young Audiences in the fall.

JO’SIAH SHAN (Pinch/Angelo/Music Director) is proud to be returning to Virginia Stage Company in this production of William Shakespeare’s Comedy of Errors. A recent graduate of Norfolk State University, they have served as Music Director for such productions as The Color Purple (2018), Once on the Island (2019), & helped create such original works as A Tribute to Motown (2019). With VSC, they have worked on Shakespeare’s The Tempest (2019), SantaLand Diaries (2019), & A Christmas Carol (2020). They wish a happy & healthy summer season and beyond to you! Stay HeArtful!

DR. LARRY TAUB (Egeon/Security Officer) A multi-faceted professional with a background in Education of the Deaf. Currently dabbling in theater, gourmet foods, bowling, dancing, traveling, riding bicycles, and a Harley Road King.

SPECIAL THANKS TO

Anthony Mark Stockard
the Kroc Center
the Market on Monarch
and the generous cast and creative team from the in-school tour - Blair Heinz, Joey Cassella, Karese Kaw-uh, Teddy Holmes, Logan Banks, Miguel Girona, Jr, Jon Belka, Ryan Clemens, Emel Ertugrul, Virginia Bird
Weshowup.io