Stone Soup Shakespeare Now Touring THE COMEDY OF ERRORS Through 6/12

Stone Soup Shakespeare, under the artistic direction of Julia Stemper, is touring The Comedy of Errors throughout the Midwest through June 12, bringing Shakespeare for free to community parks. Director Eric Mercado sets this year's production in the world of a late 19th century traveling circus, complete with clowns, funhouse mirrors, and a ringmaster.

Mercado joins the Chicago-based company for the second time, after the success of 2014's tour of As You Like It. Mercado is "thrilled to be working with Stone Soup Shakespeare again because their tour is such a special experience for everyone working on the show and everyone who sees it. I'm excited to see how people will react to this wild, whacky, and hilarious play that I'm sure they will love as much as I do. "

Actors Nicole Goeden and Ken Miller portray two sets of twins?Antipholus and Dromio of Syracuse and Antipholus and Dromio of Ephesus?who are separated as infants. The pair from Syracuse wind up in Ephesus, a town rumored to be filled with witchcraft. Being identical to the pair that reside in Ephesus, they are immediately recognized...but not for who they really are. The Syracusians arepulled into the lives of the Ephesians. As identities are mistaken time and again, the layers of confusion mount until Antipholus meets Antipholus and Dromio meets Dromio in a shock that confounds all.

Dressed as circus performers, the actors welcome the audience with carnival antics, including face painting, fortune telling, juggling, and tumbling. Mercado jokes, "We were trying to fundraise for an elephant to join tour, but the cost of peanuts is just not what it used to be."

Jeffrey Golde and Julia Stemper founded Stone Soup Shakespeare in 2010 to bring free productions of Shakespeare to rural communities without access to professional theater. Stone Soup's first tour in 2011 of Romeo and Juliet was seen in three states for one-week, and included actors from England, Scotland, New York, Chicago, and Southern Illinois. Subsequent yearly tours have expanded the company's reach and artistic partners, increased audience size, and expanded its educational programs.

In keeping with the spirit of the classic fable Stone Soup, from which the company takes its name, audience members are encouraged to bring non-perishable food items which will be collected and donated to local food banks throughout the tour region. Audiences are encouraged to bring picnics to share with friends and family while enjoying an evening filled with live theater and community.

The cast also includes: Kiron Blackwood (Aemilia/Angelo), Ian Meuntenar (Egeon/Courtesan), Kristin Morris (Duke/Pinch), Jennifer Pommerenke (Luciana/Luce), and Julia Stemper (Adriana).

The Comedy of Errors Tour Schedule:

Friday, June 3, 6:00pm - Bauler Park (Chicago, IL)

Saturday, June 4, 6:00pm - Shorewood Public Library (Shorewood, WI)

Sunday, June 5, 6:00pm - Deland Park (Sheboygan, WI)

Friday, June 10, 6:00pm - Nelson Park (Decatur, IL)

Sunday, June 12, 6:00pm - Senior Citizen Park presented in partnership with Friends of Holstein Park (Chicago, IL)

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