A View from the Cliff — Ninetieth birthday marks Heights Players’ evening

An outstanding reputation earned over six decades has brought the Heights Players its loyal following. One of their founding members was honored on Saturday evening. His ninetieth birthday was remembered with two large cakes, lots of warm sentiments and an enjoyable performance of the troupe’s current production; “The Boys from Syracuse.”

Thanks to Shakespeare’s “Comedy of Errors,” the music and lyrics by Rodgers and Hart (book by George Abbott) have plenty of room for laughs. The broad, slapstick comedy focuses on two sets of identical twins from an ancient kingdom. They have been separated at birth. Coincidentally, both pairs appear in the same city. Naturally, countless confusing events unfold before the situation is finally corrected.

Director Steve Vilardi skillfully maximizes the relatively small staging space. Musical Director Jeffrey Williams and his orchestra are also very busy with fast-paced songs and dance numbers. Choreographer Michael Kidney, shares the tongue-in-cheek transformation of this 1930s musical into a clever, current comedy.

The identical twins have red hair (Cameron McIntosh, Dustin Sorrell) while their identical masters (Justin Morin, Michael Enright) wear well trimmed beards and wealthier costumes.

The redheads are human cartoon characters, with huge pratfalls, cries of frustration and general helplessness. The bearded siblings are more cultured but equally at a loss to explain their bizarre circumstances. It’s all extremely well-played.

Lovely Adriana (Abigail Clyne), charming Luciana (Nora Davis) and rolling pin wielding Luce (Cait Farrell) are the love/hate interests who sing some of Rodgers and Hart’s most enduring melodies. Well done!

My personal favorites are Head Courtesan Michela Imbesi and Courtesan/Dance Captain Kellie Ferrick. The former’s swagger and gold-digging smugness are played to perfection. The latter uses her anachronistic eyeglasses and exaggerated mannerisms to riotous precision.

Kudos as well to courtesans Aurora Dreger and Yurilka Ohno and maids Julie D’Moure, Rebecca Marcus-Monks and Frances Knutsen. Meanwhile, the good townspeople bear befuddled witness to the twins’ own confusion. Kudos, then, to Alex Amarosa, Joshua Garcia, Leon Glover, Colin Godwin, Jason Schulof, Matthew Turkle and Tommy Wallace.

Final bows to set designers Gary VanderPutten and Bill Wood, Duane Pagano (lighting design), Scott Wiggins (costume design), and Nick Palenchar (stage management).

The musical comedy is a feel-good vacation that is worth the trip. For information on this and future productions call 718-237-2752 or surf to www.heightsplayers.org. As always, save me a seat on the aisle.

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