University of Idaho Theatre Arts Department to Present Shakespeare’s ‘The Comedy of Errors’ Beginning April 30 in Moscow, Idaho
MOSCOW, Idaho — The University of Idaho Department of Theatre Arts will bring one of William Shakespeare’s most celebrated comedies to the stage later this month, with performances of “The Comedy of Errors” beginning April 30 at the Hartung Theater in Moscow.
The production, featuring a story of long-lost twins, mistaken identities, and escalating chaos, will run for seven shows across two weekends. A preview night opens the run at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, April 30, at the Hartung Theater, located at 675 Stadium Drive on the University of Idaho campus.
Performance Schedule and Tickets
Following the preview night, performances continue at 7:30 p.m. Friday, May 1; 7:30 p.m. Saturday, May 2; and 2 p.m. Sunday, May 3. The second weekend features additional showings at 7:30 p.m. Friday, May 8; 7:30 p.m. Saturday, May 9; and 2 p.m. Sunday, May 10.
Tickets are free for U of I students and range from $6 to $26 for the general public. Tickets are currently on sale at uitickets.com. More information about upcoming Theatre Arts events is available at go.uidaho.edu/theatre-productions.
The play follows Antipholus of Syracuse and his servant Dromio of Syracuse, who arrive in the city of Ephesus after a shipwreck separates them from their twin counterparts. Unaware that their twins already live in Ephesus, the Syracusans find themselves entangled in a mounting series of comic misunderstandings as locals treat them as people they do not recognize themselves to be.
Faculty and Student Perspectives on the Production
Robert Caisley, chair of the Theatre Arts Department and head of the dramatic writing program, described the play as one of Shakespeare’s finest early achievements in comedy.
“The preeminent Shakespearean scholar Harold Bloom saw ‘The Comedy of Errors’ as Shakespeare’s first great proof of comic brilliance,” Caisley said. “He called it a perfect early play, dazzling in its structure, speed and sheer delight in human confusion. You won’t want to miss this comedy, which runs like clockwork and is full of mistaken identities, escalating chaos and joyous laughter.”
Cast member Riley Duvall, a junior theatre arts student playing Antipholus of Ephesus, said the role has offered a unique creative challenge. “Getting to play Antipholus of Ephesus has given me the wonderful opportunity to be expressive and larger than life,” Duvall said. “Antipholus of Ephesus must convince the people around him that he is not drunk, crazy or possessed — which is a response I find to be the most reasonable after his family begins to tell stories about him that are not true.”
Duvall also noted the play’s continued relevance despite having premiered more than 500 years ago, a testament to Shakespeare’s enduring ability to capture universal human experiences through humor and confusion.
The production represents a strong example of the kind of classical arts programming the University of Idaho has long supported for both its student body and the broader Moscow community. Live theatrical performances expose students to professional-quality production experience while giving Latah County residents access to world-class literary works at an accessible price point.
The University of Idaho, home to the Vandals and a cornerstone of higher education in northern Idaho, continues to invest in the arts as part of a well-rounded academic environment. The Theatre Arts Department regularly produces performances that draw audiences from across the Palouse region. For more on what’s happening at the University of Idaho, readers can follow statewide education coverage at Idaho News and across the Idaho News Network.
For more information on recent University of Idaho leadership developments, including finalists named for the UI College of Law Dean position, visit our campus coverage section.
What Comes Next
Audiences interested in attending “The Comedy of Errors” should secure tickets in advance at uitickets.com, as seating at the Hartung Theater is limited. The seven-show run spans April 30 through May 10, with both evening and matinee options available across two weekends. U of I students are encouraged to take advantage of free admission. Community members seeking additional information may contact the Department of Theatre Arts at 208-885-6465 or at avolz@uidaho.edu.