Shakespeare in the Park Boston Common 2009 Review: A Comedy of Errors

Yay! Yay! Yay! What larks abound in Shakespeare's "A Comedy of Errors" and this year's Shakespeare in the Common production was a fun evening out this past Saturday.

Plot rundown: two sets of male twins, one set the slaves to the others, are separated at birth. Many years later as adults, they end up at the same place but, not knowing they're each of a set of twins, people keep mixing them up. A comdey of errors ensues.

Boston's Shakespeare in the Park production takes place in a sort of Carribean or Floridian 1920's. The blues and purple were dazzling. I didn't feel there were any miscasts, although the Courtesan got a little pitchy, dawg, as Randy would say it, during the finale. That's my only complaint. The twin servants, dressed in Tweedle Dee & Dum gear, were the show stealers.

I was especially dazzled by the details of the costumes -- costume design, especially the courtesan's purple outfits, were my favorite part of the show. I also just like going to free shows in a beautiful park on a gorgeous night with a whole bunch of other theatre lovers. I made a new friend, a rescue tiny-sized mixed breed dog named Honey, who belonged to the family behind me. Just came along for some petting and eventually ended up curling up in my lap for a bit. So cute!

Go see the show before it's over! Last night is Aug 16. All shows start at 8 PM except Sundays, which start at 7.

Shakespeare in the Park Boston 2009 - A Comedy of Errors

It's baaa-aaack! Shakespeare in the Park, or more accurately, Shakespeare in the Common, will return again this summer. The play for this season is "A Comedy of Errors" and the show runs from Jul 31 to Aug 16, starting at 8 PM, at the Parkman Bandstand.

I thought to look this up because Anne Hathaway is on Jimmy Fallon (improving every day!) promoting her stint in NYC's Shakespeare in the Park production of "Twelfth Night".

Anyway, I shall see you in the park some night this summer, okay? I'll bring a pic-a-nic-a.

Shakespeare in the Park - Boston Common 2008

Last night, I saw the 2008 Shakespeare in the Park production at the Boston Common. This summer's play is "As You Like It".

Saturday was a perfect night to go, too. The crowd was hearty but not too big, the weather was just cool enough to be comfortable and the production was spot on.

It took a few scenes to really pick up, but when it did--my oh my, what a fun time.

First, I must mention how fantastic Marin Ireland was as the very witty and compelling Rosalind. She was spot on with just about every delivery, showing not just a knowledge of what she was saying (as it felt was the case often for Frederick Weller) but really embodied the character and showed off her sharp mind. The scenes with Touchstone the Clown (Larry Coen) and Celia (Ali Marsh) were always a highlight and all three actors gave stand out performances.

Some things about the venue: get there early so you're guaranteed a good spot and if you driv in, be prepared for a long wait out of the garage after the show. Bring a picnic, for sure. You can sit on a blanket, or rent chairs or bring your own, whichever you prefer. Your view is pretty good no matter.


See the CitiArts Center (aka the Wang) website for more information about times and days:

Free Shakespeare *



* PS-When Mom read "Free Shakespeare" off of the playbill she said, "Where is he captured?" Groan.