What happens when two sets of twins separated at birth cross paths in the merchant town of Ephesus? A "Comedy of Errors."

William Shakespeare's "The Comedy of Errors" will be staged by Ball State University's Department of Theatre and Dance at 7:30 p.m. Nov. 11-13 and Nov. 17-20 and at 2:30 p.m. Nov. 14 at University Theatre. A student showing will be at 10 a.m. Nov. 12.

Set in Ephesus, this early work of Shakespeare includes lots of bawdy jokes and physical humor. Antipholus of Syracuse (played by Martin Monahan) and his servant, Dromio (C. Keane Maddock), arrive in Ephesus searching for their twins of the same names (played by Ethan Mathias and Mike Getty, respectively).

The two men, not knowing that their brothers are living in Ephesus, are mistaken time and again for their twins, even by Adriana (Maggie Kubley), Antipholus of Ephesus' wife. She and her sister, Luciana (Pearl Rhein), even lock Antipholus of Ephesus out of his house, thinking he is an impostor.

Much of the play's humor comes from the fact that Ephesus is a very severe, closed society, said Jennifer Blackmer, director. The whole culture of the town is obsessed with commerce and the accumulation of wealth, making it easy to adapt to a contemporary set.

"What happens on the streets of Ephesus could very well happen on Wall Street," she said.

"The Comedy of Errors" is Blackmer's first mainstage play at Ball State. She was the artistic coordinator for "Reality TV Bytes," a spoof on reality TV produced by Ball State students, faculty and staff that aired last April.

Upcoming productions at Ball State include:

• "Dance, Dance Dance"—Dec. 9
• "Love's Fire"—Feb. 9 

The University Theatre Box Office is open from 1 to 5 p.m. weekdays and one hour before performances. Tickets are $12 for the general public, $11 for Ball State faculty and staff, $9 for senior citizens and $6 for students. Call the box office at (765) 285-8749 for more information. 

(Note to Editors: For more information, contact Blackmer at (765) 285-8747 or jsblackmer@bsu.edu.)