The first thing one should know is, yes, Marin Shakespeare Company’s La Comedia of Errors is bilingual.
As the title suggests, the play is in Spanish and English. One need not worry if they only speak one of the two languages, as there’s a top-notch cast of physical actors at work. To illustrate that point, the entire opening monologue is presented with no dialogue at all and is absolutely hilarious from start to finish.
This show, presented in partnership with Play On Shakespeare and directed by Karina Gutiérrez, is now running at Marin Shakespeare’s Downtown Theater in San Rafael through May 10.
Usually the Shakespeare tale of two sets of twins—Antífolo/Antipholus (Deanalis Arocho Resto) and their servants, both named Dromio (Hugo Carbajal)—separated at birth and winding up in the same town at the same time with the same name, stretches the bounds of comedic credibility to its breaking point.
This adaptation by Bill Rauch and Lydia G. García, while refocusing the lens of the play through Latine eyes, manages to retain all the comedic fun while adding some depth usually missing from the play. That Egéon (Christian Artega) is now being held at a detention center awaiting deportation for illegally entering the U.S. probably has something to do with that depth.
Don’t be fooled by the politics, though; this is a silly, laugh-out-loud, comedic extravaganza which still makes highly relevant points about who is responsible for protecting our neighbors and how we do that.
Resto and Carbajal are both ridiculously talented actors. The precision necessary for some of their more outlandish fights is both breathtaking and riotous. This entire cast is charismatic, precise and eminently enjoyable.
Edie Flores is an accomplished guitarist and a grounded performer, making the live music another character in the already character-filled play. Costumes by Alice Ruiz are vibrant and practical, and the set by Carlos-Antonio Aceves is a beautifully joyous nod to Mexican culture.
Should one see this show? Yes. Even if they’re not Latine? Yes. Even if one only speaks English? Yes. This 90-minute fever dream of a telenovela is going to make one laugh. If it doesn’t, it might be time to pull out the Vaporo because something is wrong, and as everyone within Latinidad knows, Vaporo (Vapor Rub) is the best way to heal any ailment.
Couple that with laughter being the best medicine, and this show might just be a cure for our troubled times.
‘La Comedia of Errors’ runs through May 10 at Marin Shakespeare Company’s Downtown Theater, 514 4th St., San Rafael. Sat, 2 & 7:30pm; Sun, 2pm. $15-$49. 415.388.5208. marinshakespeare.org.
