Two very different plays on tap for Shakespeare on the Square

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“The Comedy of Errors” cast members, from left, Brandon Gibson as the Duke, Kevin Velasco as Dromio, Elizabeth Davis as Luciana and Jacqueline Nunweiller as the Courtesan rehearse at First Presbyterian Church on July 5.

Light, fluffy and fall-down funny. Dark and tragic with plots of jealousy, revenge and doom. Both options are offered during this summer's Shakespeare on the Square.

The Tennessee Stage Company's annual summer presentation of Shakespeare's plays at downtown Knoxville's Market Square will alternate performances of the bard's "The Comedy of Errors" with his tragedy "Othello" at 7 p.m. starting July 14 and continuing on select evenings through Aug. 14.

Performances are played out against a backdrop representing London's original Globe Theatre. Playgoers are invited to bring blankets or lawn chairs or use one of metal folding chairs provided by the City of Knoxville. There's no admission charge but donations are accepted.

It's the local theater troupe's ninth Shakespeare on the Square and its 21st year of summer Shakespeare. Before moving to Market Square, the company presented Shakespeare in several other Knoxville locations.

All together, the company has presented 20 of Shakespeare's 38 plays and done one more than once.

"Comedy of Errors" is one of Shakespeare's earliest plays, and Tennessee Stage Company Artistic Director Tom Parkhill says it is also one of his funniest. It plays off the theme of mistaken identity, a plot twist Shakespeare uses in other plays.

"Comedy," directed by Parkhill, uses slapstick to help tell the story of two sets of identical twins who are separated at birth but whose paths cross later in life.

In contrast, there's nothing funny about "Othello" with its story of jealousy, prejudice, revenge and murder. Othello is a "moor" who's a noble warrior but also an outsider. When he becomes the target of a plot to destroy him, things go badly for him and others. It is directed by local actor and director Zack Allen.

While the stage company performed "The Comedy of Errors" in 1992 during its stint at World's Fair Park, this is its first presentation of "Othello."

"We've never had an brilliant African-American actor to play Othello who we could afford," says Parkhill. But they found that actor this year in Brian Bonner. While Bonner is younger than the Othello role calls for, Parkhill says "he's a really good actor. And he'll be moving to Atlanta this fall. Sometimes, picking the play is about thinking you are going to have the right actors for certain parts."

The plays are presented in somewhat abbreviated form, cut for time and prose.

"We try to make the story very clear, very straightforward so today's audiences aren't lost," says Parkhill. "Primarily, these plays are just longer than an audience sitting on blankets on concrete or in lawn chairs want to sit through."

Why should people attend? " Because it's Shakespeare, and it's good," says Parkhill. "Because your kid will probably have to read it in school.

" 'The Comedy of Errors' is one of Shakespeare's simplest plays. It's one of his easiest to follow and one of his just plain funniest.

"Othello is a very serious look in an artistic manner at prejudice, jealousy and how these emotions destroy us. It raises questions for us today; these are subjects we deal with in society."

While the shows are free the company asks for donations after shows. The suggested donation per person is $5 but Parkhill says the total contributions don't tally that high. Shakespeare on the Square's summer plays are nearly entirely funded by sponsorships, grants and patron donations.

Amy McRary may be reached at 865-342-6437.

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