College of the Arts turns to Shakespeare for season finale

April 2, 2015

The University of Florida School of Theatre + Dance will present the early William Shakespeare work “The Comedy of Errors” April 3-12.

The production, which blends romance, humor and a case of mistaken identity, will be held in the Black Box Theatre located in the Nadine M. McGuire Theatre and Dance Pavilion. Performance times are 7:30 p.m. April 3-4 and April 7-11, and 2 p.m. on April 12. Ticket prices are $17 for the general public and $13 for UF students, faculty and staff, as well as senior citizens. Group rates are available for parties of eight or more.

In “The Comedy of Errors,” Syracuse merchant Egeon is in search of his shipwrecked wife and son after being condemned to death for traveling between Syracuse and rival city Ephesus.

Director Judith Williams describes the play as “a roller coaster of a ride for audiences at its core,” citing “romance, confusion, marriage and family” as key aspects of the slapstick comedy.

On adapting classic thematic elements of the play to satisfy modern audiences, Williams says, “There are a few themes or ideas that were relevant both during the time the play was written as well as in the modern world. Money is a huge thing at the beginning of the play and in today’s world ‘money talks,’ as they say. I was also intrigued with the idea of marriage in this play. Has it or has it not really changed in regards to the standards of sexual behavior of men and women?”

A behind-the-scenes video of the production can be viewed at https://vimeo.com/123727472.

Tickets are available through the University Box Officelocated at Gate 1 of the Stephen C. O'Connell Center, by calling352-392-1653 or at ticketmaster.com. The University Box Office is open Tuesdays through Fridays from noon to 5:30 p.m. and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tickets can also be purchased at the Constans Theatre Box Office starting 45 minutes prior to the performance.

The Nadine McGuire Theatre and Dance Pavilion is located at 687 McCarty Drive. Parking is available across the street from the UF Bookstore & Welcome Center located on Museum Road.

The School of Theatre + Dance is one of the University of Florida College of the Arts’ institutionally-accredited schools.