Latin 205 performing classic Roman comedy

The Latin205 class announces the upcoming ‘pirated’ production of “Menaechmi” by Plautus. Directed by students, SJ Witt and Kim Griseto, and produced by John Gruber-Miller, “Menaechmi” is part of an annual production of Greek and Latin Theatre directed and put on by students in the intermediate level Latin class.

“Menaechmi” is a classic Roman comedy written by Plautus and is often thought of as his greatest work. Translated as “The Two Brothers”, or “The Brothers’ Menaechmus”, the show is a comedy about mistaken identity involving a set of twin brothers, long lost, and a series of their encounters with wives, wenches, sponges, and Arrrgg’s that will leave any audience laughing. With a theme of finding freedom and family, this classic Roman comedy is a mix of humor and piracy.

“Menaechmi” opens on Monday, April 30 at 6 p.m. in front of Allee Chapel. An encore of the production runs on Tuesday, May 1 at 11:45 a.m. The show is free and open to the loyal public. In case of rain, the show will be performed in Kimmel Theatre.

As part of an annual tradition, the LAT 205 class has dedicated three and a half weeks of careful planning and rehearsing to put this classic literary work into a successful production. The students also study the text and appreciate the ancient Roman and Latin literary techniques, as well as the language itself. This trilingual play, a perfect mix of English, Latin, and pirate is performed by an ensemble cast of Cornell students, which include Kelly Tweito, Mark Wyzgowski, Alex Johnson, Jack Bethel, Kristina Palmer, Linda Nguyen, Jessica Ramirez, Melissa Kraker, Maggie Ryan, Elle Pope, Lexi Zebrowski, Liz Madden, Marshall Kraker, Andy Roth, Heath Herchenbach and Tim Porter.

Also involved in the production are Josephine Liu of Costume Design, Liz Madden and Kristina Palmer of Hair and Make-up Design, and Eric Toepfer and Marshall Kraker of Sound Design, Nicole Potter of Marketing, and Heath Herchenbach and Tim Porter of Scenic Design.