Seeing double
Don’t miss the Boys
by Sally Lubetich
The Boys from Syracuse is the final production of Bellingham Theatre Guild’s 80th season. It’s the perfect time for a riotous and racy romp in ancient Greece. From the opening number you know you’re in for a swinging musical comedy and what more could you want?
This is Christopher Key’s directing debut at Bellingham Theatre Guild. His joyful enthusiasm for this production is obvious and justified.
The story is (very loosely) based on Shakespeare’s Comedy of Errors, wherein two sets of twins lost at sea and living separate lives are finally reunited through a series of misadventures. This version, written by George Abbott with music and lyrics by Rodgers and Hart, keeps a lively pace with punches, punch lines and pratfalls flying throughout. The music is beautiful and the lyrics are hysterical. You may want to see it twice just to hear what you missed while you were laughing so hard the first time.
The beautiful set, designed by Lacey Oleson and crafted by The Guild’s set building artists, is a clever blend of hard and soft surfaces. With a little stage magic it becomes the 33rd character in this show.
The talented cast is filled with many newcomers to the Guild stage along with a handful of superb veteran actors who keep the comedic confusion rolling. Christopher Ballou is outstanding as Antipholus of Syracuse. His interaction with the citizens of Ephesus is a scream. James Tweedale is highly entertaining as the randy twin Antipholus of Ephesus. Jen McQuaide is fabulous as the much-frustrated Luce. Both Henley Slepyan and Vanessa Mills sing like angels. Shelly Lyon is wonderfully cast as the lead courtesan and major rival for the affections of both Antipholi. There are so many special performances, from the sweetly sung “This Can’t Be Love” to a delightful all-male Rockettes number. But I must admit that those Dromios steal the show. Robin Stift (Dromio of Ephesus) and Kyle Henick (Dromio of Syracuse) are just plain hilarious.
Shelby Ford, Olivia Shrum, Becca Orlowski, Jana Gueck, Henley Slepyan, Vanessa Mills, Jen McQuaide, Robin Stift and Kyle Henick are among the many stars in The Boys from Syracuse.
Musical Director Alan Peet leads the three-piece jazz ensemble. The music is lively and upbeat and the musicians interact with the performance to the delight of the audience.
If you need a good laugh, and who doesn’t these days, escape to ancient Greece with The Boys from Syracuse. But do hurry because this one will sell out soon.
The Boys from Syracuse runs from May 29 – June 14 at the Bellingham Theatre Guild, 1600 H Street. Call the box office at 360-733-1811 for tickets and show information. Adults $12, Students/Seniors 62+ $10, Children $8. There is some material that may not be suitable for young children. It is a sex farce, after all.
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