Hobnob stages 'Comedy of Errors'
For the first time in over 15 months, live theater will return to Butler County this weekend when the Hobnob Theatre Company opens its Shakespeare in the Park production of “The Comedy of Errors.”
The play will open Friday in Preston Park.
“The Comedy of Errors” is one of Shakespeare's first plays and a “pure comedy,” said Hobnob co-owner Liz Smith.
The play revolves around two sets of identical twins who were separated at birth, leading to mishaps and multiple cases of mistaken identity.
“It's a fun, confusing slapstick comedy that audiences enjoy for the comedy and not the deep story Shakespeare is known for,” Smith said. “This one is 100% comedy and silliness.”
Phil Ball will portray one set of twins on his own, playing both characters, while Justin Anderson and Matt Leslie will play the other set.
Liz Flanders will play the female lead. The play is directed by Ken Smith.
The Hobnob Theatre Company has been putting on Shakespeare in the Park productions since 2013 and has always enjoyed strong local support.
“We were shocked the first year,” Liz Smith said. “We had a crowd every single night. We couldn't believe people knew about it.”
After putting on more dramatic Shakespeare works such as “Romeo and Juliet” and “The Taming of the Shrew” in years past, Smith said it can be more fun to perform a comedy.
“It depends on what kind of actor you are,” Smith said. “It's a great role for Phil, and I think everyone's having fun with it.”
Smith said it is a family-friendly play that even little children can enjoy. Even if they are too young to follow the plot, Smith said they will still enjoy the slapstick comedy and sound effects.
“Think of The Three Stooges,” she said.
The last live performance in the county was the Butler Little Theatre's production of “An Inspector Calls” in March 2020. The pandemic ended BLT's run after just three shows.
Hobnob, too, had a production that fell victim to the pandemic last summer.
“We probably had four weeks of rehearsal in when we had to cancel,” Smith said. “We had been rehearsing outside until all the rules started getting more strict. I think we're all excited to be on stage again.”
As the first live performance since the pandemic started, Smith said they are expecting good crowds the next two weeks.
“We're selling tons of tickets,” Smith said. “I'm surprised how many we've sold already.”
The Hobnob Theatre Company will put on six performances of “The Comedy of Errors” over the next two weekends from July 16 to 25.
Shows on Fridays and Saturdays will be at the Preston Park arboretum in Butler Township, and shows Sundays will be at the Butler Memorial Park's Rotary Pavilion.
All six performances will begin at 6:30 p.m., and tickets cost $10. Tickets can be purchased in advance online at hobnobtheatre.com or the day of the performance at the parks starting at 5:30 p.m.
