Comedy of Errors returning to the stage following COVID delay

By Kelley Balcomb-Bartok • July 20, 2022 1:30 am
Kelley Balcomb-Bartok \ Staff photo Cast and crew of Island Stage Left’s ‘Comedy of Errors’ prepare to take the stage July 14, in a farcical Shakespearean comedy about two sets of identical twins separated at an early age that later in life are mistaken for their twins, with hilarious results. Comedy of Errors runs 8 pm. Thursdays to Sundays, July 14 to August 14. Visit islandstageleft.org for more information.
Kelley Balcomb-Bartok \ Staff photo Cast and crew of Island Stage Left’s ‘Comedy of Errors’ prepare to take the stage July 14, in a farcical Shakespearean comedy about two sets of identical twins separated at an early age that later in life are mistaken for their twins, with hilarious results. Comedy of Errors runs 8 pm. Thursdays to Sundays, July 14 to August 14. Visit islandstageleft.org for more information.

“Small cheer and great welcome makes a merry feast.”

—William Shakespeare, “Comedy of Errors.”

Island Stage Left’s production of “Comedy of Errors” has been cleared to return to the stage Thursday, June 21, following a recent postponement due to COVID.

According to director Helen Machin-Smith, “Thanks to stringent precautions only one actor and our assistant stage manager contracted COVID out of the eighteen people involved in the production. Both are feeling well but still have to complete the union-required five days after their first negative result before they can return unmasked. As of Sunday they will be free to join us again.”

“In the meantime,” adds Machin-Smith, “the talented and generous Jill Urbach will be taking over the role of Luciana on Thursday and Friday.” Urbach, no stranger to the stage, recently performed lead roles in “Mamma Mia” and “Beauty and The Beast,” among others, before being tapped to briefly step into the role of Luciana.

Performances of “Comedy of Errors” will run from 8 p.m. Thursdays to Sundays through Aug. 14. Saturday, July 23 there will not be a performance scheduled, says Machin-Smith, “as the annual rock concert up the hill will be going on. By Sunday all should be back to ‘normal,’ whatever that is these days.”

The audience will be divided into areas for those masked and unmasked for the comfort of all audience members. Admission is free, donations are appreciated, and no latecomers. Stage Left encourages audience members to arrive early, bring a blanket and dress warmly. Call 360-378-5649 for COVID requirement updates. Island Stage Left is located at 1062 Wold Road, San Juan Island. Visit islandstageleft.org for more information.