Photo by Mark Velasquez
A classic comedy by Shakespeare gets a bold bilingual makeover as Pacific Conservatory Theatre (PCPA) presents La Comedia of Errors September 10–27 at the Severson Theatre in Santa Maria on the campus of Allan Hancock College.
This high-energy adaptation brings together English and Spanish, music, comedy, and telenovela-inspired theatrics for a fresh and joyful take on one of the Bard’s most beloved farces.
La Comedia of Errors follows a whirlwind of mistaken identities, improbable coincidences, and family confusion with a distinctly Latine flair that invites audiences to view Shakespeare through a new cultural lens.
Set in a contemporary U.S.–Mexico border town, the story captures a community-driven whirlwind of telenovela-style mistaken identities, physical slapstick, and vibrant music.
PCPA’s staging explores deeper modern themes of family separation, immigration, and ultimate community resilience.
“Shakespeare’s The Comedy of Errors has long been celebrated for its wonderfully chaotic plot, where mistaken identities and improbable coincidences collide to create delightful confusion,” according to director Christian Arteaga. “Part of the play’s enduring charm is that we, the audience, are always in on the joke. We know who the characters truly are, even when they do not.”
Arteaga says the production ultimately seeks to celebrate the power of theatre to bring people together. “It invites us to inhabit the play together; to laugh together, to celebrate together, and to recognize ourselves in one another long after the final curtain.”
Arteaga’s creative team includes scenic designer Tony Parker, costume designer Caroline Rein, lighting designer Michael Palumbo, and sound designer Molly Costello.
The cast includes Christie Magaña, Hugo Carbajal, Andrew Philpot, Mozart Pierson, John Piper, Alexander Pimentel, Marilet Martinez, Christen Celaya, Frida Vega, Rosie Mataele, and Elisio Barreto.