The Bomb-itty of Errors is a ridiculous amount of fun

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      By Jordan Allen-Dutton, Jason Catalano, Gregory J. Qaiyum, Erik Weiner, and Jeffrey Qaiyum. Directed by Catriona Leger. An Arts Club production, originally produced by Twenty Something Theatre and Temporary Thing. At the Arts Club Revue Stage on Wednesday, April 16. Continues until May 10

      For a good time, go to the Arts Club’s Revue Stage. That’s where you’ll find The Bomb-itty of Errors, an even more ridiculous take on William Shakespeare’s already shamelessly ridiculous The Comedy of Errors. Four guys play all of the parts, which means there’s a lot of drag, and they rap the whole thing. By all means, do try this at home.

      In Comedy, there are two sets of identical twins, a pair of masters who are both named Antipholus (for comic convenience), and a pair of servants who are, likewise, both named Dromio. The master-servant pairs are separated as toddlers, and when the duo that’s grown up in Ephesus shows up in Syracuse, where their brothers live, comic mayhem—as they say—ensues. Bomb-itty ups the ante: both sets of identical twins were born at the same time, as quadruplets.

      When I saw this show a couple of years ago in its original mounting at Studio 16, I went in with cellar-low expectations and was so bowled over by its wit and skill that it left me gasping with delight. This time, I went in with sky-high expectations and was more aware of the flaws.

      The crazy energy that made me feel like I was in a crowded disco in Studio 16 looks more relentless and unnuanced in the larger Revue Stage. And although there are a couple of great numbers, including “Luciana”, the repetitive nature of the rap gets tiresome. So the evening feels longer than it should. Also, in the bigger venue, the rap is harder to hear. On opening night, Niko Koupantsis (Luciana and others) exacerbated that problem by giving his characters a thick accent. (Is it New York Puerto Rican?)

      So, when you go, sit close. And do go. As opening night got rolling, Koupantsis got his groove back, which is great because his Luciana is a hilarious bimbo. She can’t quite remember her own name. Just wait till you see how Koupantsis handles that. And Jameson Matthew Parker, who plays Luciana’s sister, Adriana, as well as Antipholus of Syracuse, has gotten even better since the premiere mounting, in which he already set the bar high. Refusing to push the material, Parker finds all sorts of soulful levels, which make the comedy spin even more brightly. David Kaye (Dromio of Syracuse) brings similar understated depth to a prostitute character, and he offers warmth and athleticism throughout. Brian Cochrane (Antipholus of Ephesus) brims with confidence and charm, which helps to make his turn as Jewish jeweller MC Hendelberg work far better than it feels like it should.

      Vanessa Imeson’s costumes, including the fluorescent, sculpted wigs, are to die for. No wonder she won a Jessie for them the first time around.

      Go. Romp, my children.

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