Set in ancient Greece, Center Stage?sproduction of “The Boys from Syracuse” won?t win any awards for historical accuracy.
But then again, in the face of vampy dames in Vegas-style costumes, acrobatic men in sequined skirts, knife-juggling, puppet shows, rolling-pin-wielding harridans and the songs of Rodgers and Hart, who cares?
A musical that plays homage to the days of burlesque and vaudeville, “The Boys from Syracuse” is loosely based on Shakespeare?s “The Comedy of Errors.” And we do mean loosely (cue rim shot ? and there a plenty of those in the play). The plot, what there is of it, involves two sets of twins who are separated at birth but unwittingly come together in the city of Ephesus, along with their father, who is to be executed for the heinous crime of being from Syracuse. And we ain?t talkin? New York (bada-bing!).
Identities are mistaken, stolen and borrowed more often than on the Internet, while in a shower of whistles and catcalls, showgirls trod across stage in 5-inch heels, placards in hand, to let us know whether our scene has shifted to the town square, the courtesans? place or the home of protagonist Antipholus.
The comedy of errors came courtesy of the casting director, as outside of their costumes, the “two sets of twins” bear absolutely no resemblance to each other. Which only adds to the hilarity, as in moments when “twin” slaves, both named Dromio, played by Kevin R. Free (who is black and heavyset) and Michael Winther (who is not), stare at each other and declare, “It?s like lookin? into a mirror!”
But then again, perhaps that?s the point. While these bookend Dromios look nothing alike, they are exactly alike in the ways we can all relate to, or hope we can as human beings ? too often slaves of our own desires, funny, proud, befuddled by the opposite sex, but compassionate and full of life.
“The Boys from Syracuse” hits a high note, literally, with Blair Ross as Madame Courtesan?s number, “Oh, Diogenes,” and her pursuit of a single, honest man. Surrounded by a troupe of male admirers in dapper white tuxedos and black top hats, Ross belts it out, old school, right down to the purple feather boa, and one can imagine Blaze Starr is smiling somewhere.
As per usual, art director Irene Lewis and her artistic team do a masterful job at creating just the right set, which, adorned in oversized flashing lights, is reminiscent of the stages once trod by chorus girls and Henny Youngman-esque comics in floppy pants back in the days of Chaplin.
IF YOU GO
“The Boys from Syracuse”
» Venue: Center Stage?s Pearlstone Theater, 700 N. Calvert St., Baltimore
» Times: 8 p.m. Tuesdays through Saturdays, 7:30 p.m. Sundays through Jan. 14 with 2 p.m. weekend matinees and a 1 p.m. show on Dec. 20.
» Tickets: $10 to $65
» More info: 410-332-0033 or www.centerstage.org
