Shakespeare Theatre Company Presents The Boys from Syracuse

As part of the 25th Anniversary Season, the Shakespeare Theatre Company celebrates Shakespeare through song and dance with musical interpretations of his work performed in concert-style stagings. The Bard's Broadway: The Boys from Syracuse will play at Sidney Harman Hall (610 F Street NW) from November 4-6, 2011. Featuring a classic score by Rodgers and Hart, the book has been adapted by David Ives, who also adapted The Liar and the current production of The Heir Apparent for STC's stage. STC Associate Director Alan Paul will direct this special anniversary concert.

Paul is collaborating with the designers from the New York Philharmonic's star-studded concert version of Stephen Sondheim's award-winning musical Company to create this special concert version of The Boys from Syracuse. Although actors will carry scripts, there will be some musical staging, three fully choreographed production numbers and one-of-a-kind costumes. The concert will also utilize a 19-piece on stage orchestra. To go along with the celebration of STC's 25th anniversary, Paul says, "We are celebrating Shakespeare's influence on American musical theatre, bringing musicals inspired by Shakespeare to the company's stage. I am very excited to be working on this production with this talented design team and extraordinary cast which includes many Broadway favorites. The concert style staging of this musical will let the glorious music take center stage and will let audiences experience a rarely performed musical gem."

The Boys from Syracuse, based on The Comedy of Errors, tells the story of identical twin brothers separated in a shipwreck as children. When the two brothers, their wives and servants (also long-lost identical twins) meet in Ephesus, confusion and comedy lead them to discover each other's true identities. Adapted in the late 1930s, The Boys from Syracuse incorporates the swing and popular music of the era in famously infectious songs like "This Can't Be Love." Rodgers and Hart's long-time collaboration brought other hit musicals and films such as Pal Joey and Babes in Arms.

For tickets and more information, please call 202.547.1122 or visit ShakespeareTheatre.org.