Our Comedy of Errors team is taking the show on the road! Thanks to special partnership from the tourism offices in Russell Springs, London, and Liberty, you will be able to see a special 30-minute presentation for FREE in local parks. The ‘tour’ will take place over two days Fri. Jul 19-Sat. Jul 20. The performance will be geared towards families, with a goal of sparking curiosity and interest in the performing arts in our younger audiences. Since The Comedy of Errors is part of our Professional Training Ground Program, our cast features student performers. Young people in the audience might identify with the characters on stage, and realize that they’d like to give playing a try themselves!
TOUR DATES:
LONDON, KY
Fri. Jul 19th
5:30PM
Food Truck Friday
LIBERTY, KY
Sat. Jul 20th
11:30AM
City Green Stage
RUSSELL SPRINGS, KY
Sat. Jul 20th
2:30PM
Billy Grider Stage
Audiences who particularly enjoy this presentation might decide to attend the full length production presented by SPEDA and running July 25-27, 2024 at Joe Ford Amphitheater in Rocky Hollow Park in Somerset, KY. You can learn more about the event and purchase tickets now at this link.
Plot
One of Shakespeare’s earliest works, and by far his most farcical, The Comedy of Errors centers on two pairs of accidentally separated identical twins caught in a series of buffoonish events. The fun begins when Antipholus and his servant Dromio of Syracuse arrive on the Greek island of Ephesus to discover that the island is already populated by their identical Ephesian twins, also named Antipholus and Dromio. Unfortunately, since there’s no way of telling anyone apart, they find themselves in hot water when they encounter the friends and family of the Ephesian pair, leading to false accusations of infidelity, misdirected beatings, and even claims of witchcraft. Due to the heightened nature of the text, those unfamiliar with the play might find it helpful to read a full synopsis in advance.
What is The SomerStage Professional Training Ground program?
Unlike Flashback’s mainstage programming that features all adult cast members, The Comedy of Errors, as part of Flashback’s SomerStage Training Ground program, will feature an ensemble of young performers ages 12-18. By giving these students the opportunity to perform onstage alongside more experienced adult actors, Flashback is providing them with an unparalleled opportunity for taking the next step. “Flashback Theater has always been a champion for education and professional development,” says Producing Artistic Director Sommer Schoch, “from our early days of Let’s Play! Second Saturday workshops (provided for free) to more intensive Masterclasses in the summers – not to mention various Junior Cast opportunities. Giving our artists the chance to learn new techniques allows them to grow their talents, which improves Flashback productions and also encourages a growth atmosphere in the creative community as a whole.”
What to expect from the performance
This SomerStage production of The Comedy of Errors will take on a new genre for Flashback Theater: Physical Theater. Examples of physical theater range from classical examples like Commedia dell’arte or Japanese Kabuki theater, to contemporary British companies like DV8 or Frantic Assembly. For this production, performers will record their lines in advance of the rehearsals & performances, allowing them to focus on a physically embodied portrayal of the emotions and story. As a reference to classical forms of physical theater, actors will wear half faced masks. Director Frangos’ vision is to use elements of movement and sound to create one cohesive symphonic action.
Cast and Crew
Michelle L. Hinton (Aegeon/Nell) is a self-published, multi-genre author of several novels, children’s books and poetry and short stories. She recently performed in Somerset Community College’s production of Almost, Maine and Flashback Theater’s summer production of Shakespeare’s As You Like It. She also had a cameo appearance on America’s Got Talent, Season 13.
Bailey Patterson (Adriana) considers Flashback Theater to be her theatrical home, where she has been involved since 2016. This May, she will graduate from the University of Kentucky with two degrees in both Theatre and Disability Studies. At Flashback, her roles have included Sheri in American Hero, Lydia in Miss Bennet: Christmas at Pemberley, Celine in The American Parade, and most recently, Rosalind in As You Like It.
Macy Brown (Antipholus of Syracuse) has been in multiple plays with the Gusto Theatre Company, most recently as Puck in A Midsummer Night’s Dream. She has also written and directed a play called The Legend of Charlie Copperhead with her sister. She also enjoys playing piano and reading.
Brian Estes (Dromio of Ephesus) is relatively new to the stage, after performing in the 2nd Annual Ten Minute and Short Play Festival at Somerset Community College as the Exuberant Retreatant and Father of the Bride, as well as playing Biff in an excerpt from Death of a Salesman in his acting class. He has taken classes with both Thomas Alvey and Steve Cleberg at SCC, and has gained the confidence and ability to audition for this production.
Mahayla Mounce (Angelo & Others) is a local artist and musician with theater experience both on and behind the scenes, having performed in her highschool’s production of The Music Man and worked as the Assistant Stage Manager and prop-master on The 39 Steps and Brother Wolf. She is taking on new challenges as this is her first Shakespeare play and second time performing.
John Langford (Antipholus of Ephesus)
John Langford began acting in 2020 as a voice actor in a comedy series. John has since appeared in short films and more recently, plays.
Noah Tomlinson (Dromio of Syracuse)
The Comedy of Errors is Noah’s fourth Flashback production. He recently played Enoch/Adger (u/s) in May’s production of Brother Wolf. He is so excited to have the opportunity to grow into his talent!
Rylee Moore (Luciana) is a young upcoming actress who enjoys acting, singing, writing and spending time with friends and family. Active in multiple community theaters for the last nine years her favorite roles include Miss Hannigan in Annie Jr. with Lake Cumberland Children’s Theater and Celia in As You Like It at Flashback Theater.
Kailyn Ball (Merchant & Others) is a student at Southwestern High School where she enjoys being a part of the theater department. She played in the high school’s production of All the Boys Love Mary and This Year’s Roaring Revue, both written by Steve Cleberg. Along with Flashback Theater Company The 39 Steps. This will be her second show with Flashback Theater Company. She is excited to be on the stage with several Flashback regulars.
Isaac Denney (Duke Solinas & Others) is going into the 7th grade at Science Hill School. He made his Flashback debut at the Virginia Theater in A Miracle on 34th Street. Isaac has also enjoyed the world of film, being involved in several film projects with his papa, Steve Cleberg. Isaac’s hobbies include gardening, gaming and playing the trombone in the school band. He looks forward to being involved in theater in the future.
Renate Dopp (Tour Stage Manager)
Favorite FbTC stage management highlights: Brother Wolf, The 39 Steps, Sweeney Todd, The Mousetrap, Every Christmas Story Ever Told (2016 and 2021), Pirates of Penzance, and Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead. Previous FBTC performances include Mary: Her Story, Little Shop of Horrors, A Nightmare on Backstreet and season announcement cabarets.
Mary Clark (Stage Manager/Voice of Servant)
In a previous life, Mary was Production Stage Manager for Ensemble Theatre in Cincinnati, Ohio and worked with other theater companies in the area. After decades away from the theater, Mary is thrilled to be behind the scenes again.
Thomas Alvey (Assistant Director/Courtesan & Others) is the newest Fine Arts Coordinator at Somerset Community College. Previously, Alvey has directed Almost, Maine (SCC), 15 Short and Ten-Minute Plays (SCC and Lindsey Wilson College), the Junior Cast of As You Like It and The American Parade (FbTC). Alvey was also Assistant Director for The American Parade (FbTC) and Steel Magnolias (SCC).
Kathy Moore (Costume Design) is a long time supporter and volunteer of anything her daughter Rylee is a part of. Known for her ability to know a little about everything and not master anything. Her motto is “it’s fine, it’s fine, I’m fine”.
Steve Cleberg (Script Adaptation/Recording Engineer)
After thirty-four years in the position, Steve Cleberg retired as the Director of Theatre Arts at Somerset Community College in 2020. He has directed and acted in over one hundred plays. At SCC, his directing credits include Fiddler on the Roof, The Glass Menagerie, Children of a Lesser God, The Tempest, The Fantasticks, Crimes of the Heart, and A Midsummer Night’s Dream. For Flashback Theater, Cleberg appeared as an actor in Rosencrantz & Guildenstern Are Dead, The Lady’s Not for Burning and The Book of Will. He also serves on the Flashback’s Board of Directors.
Steffani Phillipi (Set Design/Prop Master) is returning to the set, this time literally as a set designer! She loves the arts. Her FbTC credits include acting in The American Parade and Boats Against the Current. She also appeared in The Ten Minute Play Festival at SCC.
Weather Policy
Performances are subject to weather, if a performance is canceled, you may present your ticket to any remaining performance. Patrons with advance reservations will be notified by email and/or phone in the event of a cancellation.
Season Sponsors & Supporters
Flashback Theater is grateful to our 2023-24 Spotlight Sponsors: Applied Behavioral Advancements, M&W Printing, Kentucky Tourism Arts & Heritage Cabinet, The Shubert Foundation, The City of Somerset, David Daring Rentals, and Fenix Digital; as well as our Footlight Sponsors: Buffalo Wings & Rings, The Weigel Family, Lake Cumberland Regional Hospital, Citizens National Bank, First & Farmers National Bank, Somerset Community College, David Daring Rentals, United Cumberland Bank, and the T. Ronald Kidd Trust.