Jacob K. Lehman

We just wrapped the first weekend of Ithaca Shakespeare‘s production of Comedy of Errors, the 8th season of ISC for which my wife and I have choreographed the fights. It’s always been a delight to work on these shows, and I was honored to join the board of ISC last year; this cast, however, has been one of the very most dedicated and professional. Comedy is always hard, and in the 21st century, staging physical violence involving upper-class people beating their servants is particularly fraught- the laughs we’ve gotten are a testament to the actors’ care in exploring the connections and contrasts between physical and emotional pain, embodying colorful characters and reactions without losing their core humanity in caricature. If you’re able, go see the show. It feels cleansing as light-hearted live theater can be, and this cast is acting their hearts out.