A fantastic show just for families: “The Venetian Twins” at Shakespeare & Company

Here is the really neat thing. The basis of this hysterical farce is a three hundred year old play by Carlo Goldoni that could be the basis for a hit children’s television series. Jonathan Croy and Jenna Ware at Shakespeare & Company have updated it in ways that make it as fresh as today, while retaining the classic commedia dell’arte, and is reminiscent of Shakespeare’s The Comedy of Errors. This show also gives you a chance to introduce the young ones to the classic commedia characters (link) such as Harlequin and Columbine.

Justin Weaks and Thomas Randle (foreground) with the cast of "The Venetian Twins". Enrico Spada photos.

The Venetian Twins may be based on a very old play, but for the most part it is in plain spoken English, every child will understand every word. Sure Goldini uses wildly inventive language to help his characters bamboozle each other with one comic misunderstanding after another, but kids today learn the art of parsing language before they even reach the age of reason. We teach them well.

David Joseph gets quite a workout as both Zanetto and Tonino.

There’s lots of music, too, in fact the show opens with a fugue-ish reminder to turn off those cell phones or suffer the wrath of unhappy actors. Music Director Jennie M. Jadow has fine tuned the singers and players of the company into a harmonious company with original music and lyrics by Andy Talen.

The large cast is among the most energetic and polished I have ever seen in the Rose Footprint, and that is saying a lot. David Joseph plays the dual roles of Zanetto and Tonino with split second precision as he exits through one door as Zanetto and returns a split second later through another as Tonino. Kelly Galvin and Alexandra Lincoln will soon be nipping at the heels of the company’s leading comedienne Elizabeth Aspenlieder for the choice comedic roles. And the pair together make one of the funniest pairings since Abbott and Costello or Laurel and Hardy. Audiences love it when comedy is King at Shakespeare & Company. Spontaneous applause stopped the production several times at the performance I attended since the company continually topped itself as the afternoon progressed.

Here is the best part and has to be mentioned since families are always watching their budget. This show is actually, really, truly affordable. The adults pay $10 each and those under 18 who come with them (within limits) get in for free. Seating is relaxed, in lawn chairs (provided) or on wooden benches.

Everyone will have a terrific time, too and it’s an active enough show that most of the youngest children (say over 6 or so) don’t get restless.

Katharine Pitt, Emily Ehlinger, and David Joseph. Photo by Enrico Spada,

For tickets call the Box Office at (413) 637-3353 or visit www.shakespeare.org. For customized group visits – which may include artist talkbacks, tours, and catered events – contact the Group Sales office at (413) 637-1199, ext. 132.

Performances are Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays at 5:30 from now until August 27 with the single exception of August 17. Thanks to the tent, which is air cooled by the natural breezes, it provides protection from both the blazing sun and the famous Berkshire late afternoon squalls.

Go and enjoy. Bring a picnic. Enjoy their expansive lawn. After the show hike up to the Founder’s Theatre to enjoy the evening prelude. It is free too. If the children are older, consider introducing them to Shakespeare at one of the regular evening performances. This is real Berkshire family fun.