Janus was the Greek god who was the guardian of the threshold of a home. Consequently, he is depicted with two faces–one looking forward, the other back. Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey’s (STNJ) offerings on their Outdoor Stage are a different take on Janus, for whom the month of January is named. STNJ is offering its first ever repertory season where careful planning yields a perfect Summer double header that the whole family can enjoy!
First up is a slightly refined version of Shakespeare’s “Comedy of Errors,” whose shortened length makes for greater action for the derring-do under the direction of Brian B. Crowe, who is also STNJ’s Director of Education. Devotees of STNJ know when Crowe is at the helm, you are in for something special and with Paul Canada’s costumes, Baron Pugh’s set, Jason Flamos’ lighting design, and Andrew Yoder’s sound, the setting is complete joy. Emma Lindemood is the stage manager who assures that this set of performers has all it needs to make Shakespeare’s tale of two sets of twins come to vivid comic life! The costumes for the pairs of Antipholus (Jeffrey Marc Alkins) and Dromeo (Billie Wyatt), of Ephesus and Syracuse, respectively, are just enough different that Where’s Waldo-loving kids of all ages will enjoy the hijinks immensely. The ensemble alphabetically includes Marcella Cox as Courtesan/Abbess (now there’s two halves of a coin!), Dino Curia as Egeon/Balthasar/Pinch’s Assistant, Kirby Davis as 2nd Merchant/Pinch’s Assistant/Officer, Ellie Gossage as the benighted spouse Adriana, Karl Hawkins as Officer/Executioner, Isaac Hickox-Young as Duke Solinus/Pinch’s Assistant/Citizen, Anthony Paglia as 1st Merchant/Pinch’s Assistant/Citizen, Rupert Spraul as Angelo/Dr. Pinch, and Katja Yacker as Luciana, Adriana’s bookish sister. Pugh’s scenic design is masterful, with the clouds on the set virtually seamless with the clouds overhead in Convent Station, where the Greek Theatre is nestled in the heart of the campus of the College of St. Elizabeth. Provident Bank and the Beacon Trust are the sponsors for the 2021 Free Tickets for Kids, which provides the first glimpse of live theatre for many young people in the area. Westfield Rotary Club, Madison Rotary Club, and Newman’s Own Foundation are also part of the team. There were many children for the early evening show, all of whom had a grand time.
Attend on a Sunday, and you could very well choose a two-fer! Purchase a second ticket for the World Premiere of Bonnie J. Monte’s brand new play “Snug!” Motivated by the desire to feature the Shakespeare “mechanicals” in a different light, Monte wrote “Snug,” the tale of the so-called actors in “Pyramus and Thisbe,” the play-within-a-play in “A Midsummer Night’s Dream.” This gives greater depth and a little spice to a story you may think you know. Our technical team is the same, and the actors are a bit more centered in their work, with many of those having smaller roles in “Comedy of Errors” having more toothsome roles in “Snug.” The cast is Alkins as Shep/Theseus, Cox as Fifth Business: Luck, Curia as moony Starling, Davis as the redoubtable playwright Quince, Gossage as Moonshine/Hippolyta, Hawkins as Fifth Business Tuck, Hickox-Young as would-be lover Flute, Paglia as Snout, Spraul as the insufferable Bottom, Wyatt as the eponymous Snug, and Yacker as Puck/Philostrate. Monte is saying a great deal in this play that may at first seem like a tale for the younger set. Snug’s role is as the Lion in Pyramus and Thisbe and she has trouble connecting with her inner jungle cat. Consider how often women would like to speak up, but find it difficult. Until you connect with your power. Yacker’s Puck is hilariously antic and for those of us who grew up with Puck’s favorite spur to deflate Bottom, prepare to start surfing the internet for a favorite childhood memory! This play is a play of moments, some hilarious as when they perform Quince’s benighted work. Some moments are simply breathtaking, like Moonshine’s first entrance. Yet at every turn, there is a masterful play on your intellect and emotions that keep you spinning like a weather vane, in a very good way.
Don’t tarry! Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey’s Outdoor Stage lasts only through August 1! Reserve now, and I suggest the Sunday Double Header at www.ShakespeareNJ.org .