The Boys from Syracuse

Template:Short description Template:For Template:Infobox Musical The Boys from Syracuse is a musical with music by Richard Rodgers and lyrics by Lorenz Hart, based on William Shakespeare's play The Comedy of Errors, as adapted by librettist George Abbott. The score includes swing and other contemporary rhythms of the 1930s. The show was the first musical based on a Shakespeare play.<ref>Information from the LorenzHart.org website</ref> The Comedy of Errors was itself loosely based on a Roman play, The Menaechmi, or the Twin Brothers, by Plautus.

The show premiered on Broadway in 1938 and Off-Broadway in 1963, with later productions including a West End run in 1963 and in a Broadway revival in 2002. A film adaptation was released in 1940. Well-known songs from the score include "Falling in Love with Love", "This Can't Be Love" and "Sing for Your Supper".

Production history

Abbott directed and George Balanchine choreographed the original production, which opened on Broadway at the Alvin Theater on November 23, 1938, after tryouts in New Haven, Connecticut and Boston. The show closed on June 10, 1939 after 235 performances. It starred Eddie Albert (Antipholus of Syracuse), Ronald Graham (Antipholus of Ephesus), Teddy Hart (Dromio of Ephesus), Jimmy Savo (Dromio of Syracuse), Muriel Angelus (Adriana) and Marcy Westcott (Luciana). Scenic and lighting design were by Jo Mielziner and costumes were by Irene Sharaff.

The show was revived Off-Broadway, opening at Theatre Four on April 15, 1963 and running for 500 performances. Directed by Christopher Hewett, the cast featured Stuart Damon (Antipholus of Syracuse), Clifford David (Antipholus of Ephesus), Danny Carroll (Dromio of Syracuse), Rudy Tronto (Dromio of Ephesus), Ellen Hanley (Adriana), Julienne Marie (Luciana), and Karen Morrow (Luce).<ref>"'The Boys from Syracuse', 1963 production" Internet Off-Broadway Database, accessed April 3, 2022</ref>

A West End production opened at the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane<ref>Mention of show at Drury Lane arthurlloyd.co.uk</ref> on November 7, 1963 based on the off-Broadway production, starring Denis Quilley (Antipholus of Ephesus), Maggie Fitzgibbon (Luce), Paula Hendrix (Luciana), Pat Turner (Courtesan), Sonny Farrar (Dromio of Ephesus), Adam Deane (Angelo), John Adams (Sergeant), Edward Atienza (Sorcerer), Ronnie Corbett (Dromio of Syracuse), Lynn Kennington (Adriana) and Bob Monkhouse (Antipholus of Syracuse).<ref>Information about the 1963 London production lorenzhart.org</ref>

A film version was released on August 9, 1940 by Universal Pictures. Directed by A. Edward Sutherland, the film starred Allan Jones in the dual roles of the two Antipholuses, Joe Penner in the dual roles of the Dromios, Martha Raye and Irene Hervey.

A Stratford Festival of Canada production opened on May 19, 1986 and ran for 69 performances. It featured Colm Feore (Antipholus of Ephesus), Geraint Wyn Davies (Antiophlus of Syracuse), Susan Wright (Luce), Goldie Semple (the Courtesan), and Eric McCormack.<ref>J. Alan B. Somerset. 1991. The Stratford Festival Story, 1st edition. Greenwood Press. Template:ISBN</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The production was filmed by the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation and was broadcast in late 1986.<ref>British Universities Film & Video Council - Boys from Syracuse</ref>

A revival directed by Judi Dench was mounted at the Regent's Park Open Air Theatre in London in July through August 1991, and toured the UK in September and October 1991. Louise Gold played Adriana.<ref>"'The Boys from Syracuse' listing at Louise Gold site" qsulis.demon.co.uk, accessed June 23, 2011</ref>

The Roundabout Theatre revival opened on Broadway at the American Airlines Theatre on August 18, 2002 and ran for 73 performances and 29 previews. The revival featured a new book by Nicky Silver based on the original book. It was directed by Scott Ellis with choreography by Rob Ashford, and the cast featured Jonathan Dokuchitz (Antipholus of Syracuse), Tom Hewitt (Antipholus of Ephesus), Lee Wilkof (Dromio of Syracuse), Chip Zien (Dromio of Ephesus), Erin Dilly (Luciana) and Lauren Mitchell (Adriana).<ref>Brantley, Ben."Theater Review:No Sobs, No Sorrows, No Sighs" New York Times, August 19, 2002</ref>

The Shakespeare Theatre Company of Washington, DC, presented a semi-staged concert version at its Sidney Harman Hall, November 4–6, 2011, with direction by Alan Paul, musical direction by George Fulginiti-Shakar, and artistic direction by Michael Kahn, with the concert adaptation by David Ives. The production starred Anastasia Barzee, Helen Carey, Anderson Davis, Ben Davis, Natascia Diaz, Alexander Gemignani, Adam Heller, Benjamin Horen, John Horton, Nehal Joshi, Leslie Kritzer, Michael McGrath, Michael Nansel, Matt Pearson, Tim Rogan, Thomas Adrian Simpson, and Betsy Wolfe.<ref>Jones, Kenneth. "Starry Boys From Syracuse Concert in DC Has Leslie Kritzer, Alex Gemignani, Ben Davis and a Big Band" Playbill.com, November 4, 2011</ref>

The show's Asian premiere was in Singapore, performed by LASALLE College of the Arts. The production run was at The Singapore Airlines Theatre in March 2012. The show was directed by Tony Knight, musical direction by Bronwyn Gibson, and choreography by Tiffany Wrightson. The cast included Linden Furnell, Taryn Erickson, Mina Kaye, James Simpson, Gimbey Dela Cruz, Elle-May Patterson, Safia Hanifah, Michelle Kraiwitchaicharoen and Oda Maria.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Plot

Identical twins Antipholus of Ephesus and Antipholus of Syracuse were separated from each other in a shipwreck as young children. Their servants, both named Dromio, are also long-separated identical twins. When the pair from Syracuse come to Ephesus, a comedy of errors and mistaken identities ensues when the wives of the Ephesians, Adriana and her servant Luce, mistake the two strangers for their husbands. Adriana's sister Luciana and the Syracuse Antipholus fall in love. But all ends happily.

Musical numbers

Act I

• "I Had Twins" – A Sergeant, Aegon, Duke of Ephesus and The Crowd
• "Dear Old Syracuse" – Antipholus of Syracuse and Dromio of Syracuse
• "What Can You Do with a Man?" – Dromio of Ephesus and Luce
• "Falling in Love with Love" – Adriana
• "The Shortest Day of the Year" – Adriana and Antipholus of Ephesus
• "This Can't Be Love" – Antipholus of Syracuse and Luciana
• "Ladies' Choice" (Ballet) Courtesan, Antipholus of Ephesus, Pygmalion & Galatea, Amazons, Assistant Courtesan and Adriana (not in 2002 revival)
• "Let Antipholus In" – Entire Company (not in 2002 revival)

Act II

• "You Took Advantage of Me" – The Courtesans (in 2002 revival, from Present Arms, 1928)
• "Ladies of the Evening" – Singing Policeman, Another Policeman, Policemen and Courtesans (not in 2002 revival)
• "He and She" – Dromio of Syracuse and Luce
• "You Have Cast Your Shadow on the Sea" – Antipholus of Syracuse and Luciana
• "Come With Me" – A Sergeant and Syracuse Policemen
• "Big Brother" – Dromio of Ephesus (comes before "Come With Me" in 2002 revival, and sung by both Dromios)
• "Sing for Your Supper" – Adriana, Luce, Luciana,
• "Oh, Diogenes!" – Courtesan and Full Company

The 2002 revival ended with:

• "Hurrah! Hurroo (reprise) (Sing for Your Supper)" – Madam, Courtesans, Luce, Adriana, Luciana, and the Crowd
• "This Can't Be Love" (reprise) – The Company

Casts (1930s-1970s)

Character	Original Broadway Production<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>	Film Version<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>	Sony Broadway Studio Cast Recording<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>	Pittsburgh Civic Light Opera Production<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>	St. John Terrell's Music Circus Production<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>	Off-Broadway Revival<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>	Original West End Production<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>	US National Tour<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>	The MUNY Production<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>	Original Australian Production<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>	Mineola Playhouse Production<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
	1938-1939	1940	1953	1954		1963-1964		1964		1966
Dromio of Syracuse	Jimmy Savo	Joe Penner	Stanley Prager	Joey Faye		Danny Carroll	Ronnie Corbett	Eddie Roll	Ralph McWilliams	James Kenney	Rudy Tronto
Dromio of Ephesus	Teddy Hart	Joe Penner	Stanley Prager	Herb Corey		Rudy Tronto	Sonny Farrar	Martin Ross		Brian Hannan	Gino Conforti
Antipholus of Syracuse	Eddie Albert	Allan Jones	Jack Cassidy	Royce Blackburn		Stuart Damon	Bob Monkhouse	Chet Sommers		Ted Hamilton	Hal Linden
Antipholus of Ephesus	Ronald Graham	Allan Jones	Jack Cassidy	Ramon Blackburn		Clifford David	Denis Quilley	John Smolko		David Williams	Seth Riggs
Luce	Wynn Murray	Martha Raye	Bibi Osterwald	Mildred Cook		Karen Morrow	Maggie Fitzgibbon	Marcie Stringer	Mary McCarty	Nancye Hayes	Carol Arthur
Adriana	Muriel Angelus	Irene Hervey	Portia Nelson	Gloria Lund	Victoria Sherry	Ellen Hanley	Lynn Kennington	Laurie Franks	Kelly Stephens	Hazel Phillips	Ellen Hanley
Luciana	Marcy Wescott	Rosemary Lane	Holly Harris	Evelyn Ward	?	Julienne Marie	Paula Hendrix	Carole Woodruff	Judith McCauley	Lynne Cantlon	Carole Woodruff
The Courtesan	Betty Bruce	Template:N/A	Bibi Osterwald	Ronnie Cunningham		Cathryn Damon	Pat Turner	Norma Doggett	Cathryn Damon	Darlene Johnson	Violetta Landeck
The Tailor's Apprentice	Burl Ives	Template:N/A	Template:N/A	Template:N/A	Marilyn Greenman	Jeane Deeks	Peter Ardran	Virginia Klein	Stephen Heist	?	Mary Ann Niles
Seeress	Florence Fair	Template:N/A	Template:N/A	?	Dorothy Olim	Template:N/A	Peggy Rowan	June Helmers	Lisa Drake	Template:N/A	Template:N/A
Aegon	John O'Shaughnessy	Template:N/A	Template:N/A	Template:N/A	Stanley Phillips	Matthew Tobin	Gavin Gordon	Wayne Adams	Matthew Tobin	?	Emory Bass
The Sorcerer	Owen Martin	Template:N/A	Template:N/A	Template:N/A	Stanley Kurtz	Matthew Tobin	Edward Atienza	Wayne Adams	Matthew Tobin	?	Emory Bass
Angelo	John Clarke	Alan Mowbray	Template:N/A	Template:N/A	Template:N/A	Richard Nieves	Adam Beane	Lonnie Davis	Paul Brown	?	Austin Colyer
The Tailor	Clifford Dunstan	Template:N/A	Template:N/A	Template:N/A	Joe Wessel	Jim Pompeii	Rod McLennan	Victor Duntiere	Gary Conner	?	Jim Pompeii
A Sergeant	Template:N/A	Template:N/A	Template:N/A	?	John Geister	Gary Oakes	John Adams	Rudy Vejar	Roy Hausen	?	John Boni
Duke of Ephesus	Carroll Ashburn	Template:N/A	Template:N/A	?	Peter Binder	Fred Kimbrough	Stanley Beard	Edward Greene	Tim Conn	?	William Lutz
Merchant of Ephesus	Cliff Dunstan	Template:N/A	Template:N/A	?	Larry Haynes	Richard Colacino	Paul Hansard	Victor Duntiere	Richard Judd	?	James Pompeii

Notable Replacements

Off-Broadway Revival (1963–1964)

• Antipholus of Ephesus: Robert Fields
• Adriana: Elizabeth Hubbard

Casts (1970s-2020s)

Character	Goodman Theatre Production<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>	Equity Library Theatre Revival<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>	American Repertory Theater Production<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>	Goodspeed Musicals<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>	Stratford Festival Production<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>	West End Revival<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>	Encores! Production<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>	Reprise Theatre Company Production<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>	Broadway Revival<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>	Shakespeare Theatre Company Concert Production<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
	1972	1976	1983	1984	1986	1991	1997	1999	2002	2011
Dromio of Syracuse	Danny Carroll	T. Galen Girvin	Thomas Darrah	Michael Nostrand	Benedict Campbell	Richard O'Callaghan	Mario Cantone	David Hyde Pierce	Lee Wilkof	Adam Heller
Dromio of Ephesus	Rudy Tronto	Michael Makman	Stephen Rowe	Ken Jennings	Keith Thomas	Gavin Muir	Michael McGrath	Jason Graae	Chip Zien	Michael McGrath
Antipholus of Syracuse	Kenneth Cory	Jerry Yoder	Harry S. Murphy	James Mellon	Geraint Wyn Davies	Peter Woodward	Davis Gaines	Christopher Sieber	Jonathan Dokuchitz	Anderson Davis
Antipholus of Ephesus	Bill Boss	Dana Coen	Paul Schierhorn	Lee Lobenhofer	Colm Feore	Bill Homewood	Malcolm Gets	Scott Waara	Tom Hewitt	Ben Davis
Luce	Lu Leonard	Judith Moore	Marianne Owen	Judith Cohen	Susan Wright	Jenny Galloway	Debbie Gravitte	Lea DeLaria	Toni DiBuono	Leslie Kritzer
Adriana	Gale Gill	Lisby Larson	Susan Larson	Debra Dickinson	Alicia Jeffery	Louise Gold	Rebecca Luker	Karen Culliver	Lauren Mitchell	Anastasia Barzee
Luciana	Jana Lapel	Karyn Cole	Karen McDonald	Kathy Morath	Marion Adler	Gillian Bevan	Sarah Uriarte Berry	Tia Riebling	Erin Dilly	Betsy Wolfe
The Courtesan	Melody Rogers	Rebecca Malka	Cherry Jones	JoAnna Lehmann	Goldie Semple	Anna Nicholas	Julie Halston	Ruth Gottschall	Jackée Harry (as Madam)	Natascia Diaz
Tailor's Apprentice	Gwen Arment	David Monzione	?	Ned Coulter	Eric McCormack	Samantha Spiro	Template:N/A	Template:N/A	Kirk McDonald	Template:N/A
Seeress	?	Rebecca Malka	Shirley Wilber	?	Template:N/A	Template:N/A	Marian Seldes	Template:N/A	Georgia Engel (Uncredited)	Helen Carey
Aegon	Matthew Tobin	Joshua Michaels	Jeremy Geidt	?	Richard March	Jim McManus	Tom Aldredge	Charlie Dell	Walter Charles	John Horton
Sorcerer	Matthew Tobin	Anthony Lawrence	Template:N/A	Richard Russell Ramos	Template:N/A	Jim McManus	Kevin Ligon	Marian Mercer (as Sorceress)	George Hall	Template:N/A
Angelo	Lonnie Burr	Jack Hoffmann	Richard Spore	?	?	Martin Chamberlain	Mel Johnson Jr.	Gus Corrado	Jeffrey Broadhurst	Nehal Joshi
Tailor	Joel Kazar	Randy Skinner	?	?	?	David Gooderson	Danny Burstein	Gus Corrado	Joseph Siravo	Thomas Adrian Simpson
A Sergeant	J. Frederick Brown	Ken Waller	Tony Shalhoub	Template:N/A	Dale Mieske	Robert Lister	Patrick Quinn	John Ganun	Fred Inkley	Alexander Gemignani
Duke of Ephesus	Robert John Lange	Bruce Sherman	Bill Foeller	Zachary Wilde	Template:N/A	Nick Kemp	Allen Fitzpatrick	Marvin Thornton	J. C. Montgomery	Michael Nansel
Merchant of Ephesus	P. J. Benjamin	Robert Ari	Jonathan Marks	Template:N/A	Template:N/A	David Gooderson	Danny Burstein	Chad Borden	Scott Robertson	Template:N/A

Notable Replacements

Broadway Revival (2002)

• Luce: Sara Gettelfinger (u/s)
• Madam: Deidre Goodwin (u/s)

External links

• Information from LorenzHart.org website
• Curtain Up review of 2002 revival
• Listing at guidetomusicaltheatre.com
• Template:Ibdb show
• Plot summary & casting breakdown
• [https://www.imdb.com/{{#if:

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