Last summer, Chicago Street Theatre offered Shakespeare in the Park for the first time, and exceeded the expectations of everyone involved.
More than 2,500 people attended two free performances of A Midsummer Night’s Dream at Central Park Plaza in downtown Valparaiso. The play featured 27 actors, with more than 70 volunteers behind the scenes.
This year, Chicago Street Theatre is bringing back the popular event with a production of The Comedy of Errors. Performances will take place at Central Park Plaza at dusk on July 12 and 13. The play will also be performed at Chicago Street Theatre, 154 W. Chicago St. in Valparaiso, July 19 to July 27.
The script for this production was adapted by Chicago playwright Sean Graney, and offers a different take on the classic text.
“This show is particularly unique because it's an adaptation that combines slapstick humor, modernized language, and only seven actors playing twenty different roles,” said director Lisa Formosa-Parmigiano.
The small number of actors playing so many characters has led to a great deal of creativity in rehearsal, Formosa-Parmigiano added. Each actor is playing at least two roles, and some are playing as many as four.
The Comedy of Errors is a play about mistaken identity and the chaos that surrounds it, which makes the constant costume, prop and voice changes required of the cast all the more humorous.
Another wrinkle to Graney’s adaptation is that the actors encourage audience participation throughout the performance – a regular occurrence during Shakespeare’s time, but less common now.
“There will be improvised moments between characters and audience members and this, I think, will be really exciting to experience each night,” Formosa-Parmigiano said.
Admission to Shakespeare in the Park is again free this year. People are also able to guarantee a spot on the lawn closest to the stage with the purchase of reserved section tickets, which cost $25 for a single ticket or $40 for a couple and includes a Chicago Street Theatre insulated wine tote. Only 100 reserve tickets are available per night.
Tickets for the performances at Chicago Street Theatre are $18 for adults, and $15 for students 21 or younger and veterans.
Wherever the performance, Formosa-Parmigiano said the audience should expect plenty of laughs.
“The cast is, in my opinion, very funny and often crack one another up during rehearsals,” she said. “That's been the most delightful challenge we've all faced - not laughing!”
To purchase tickets for The Comedy of Errors, call the CST box office at 219-464-1636, Ext. 1, or visit www.chicagostreet.org.
About Chicago Street Theatre
Chicago Street Theatre is a 130-seat theatre located at 154 W. Chicago Street in Valparaiso. It features brand new stadium seating, which makes it an incredible space to enjoy live theatre. For more information about the theatre, visit www.chicagostreet.org or call 219-464-1636.