\'Comedy of Errors\' and Musical \'Love\'s Labour\'s Lost\' on Shakespeare in the Park\'s Bill

Long before television sitcoms and the modern families they depict there was Shakespeare’s “Comedy of Errors” and its farcical depiction of some convoluted blood lines. This play â€" about two pairs of twin brothers, separated at birth and reunited in adulthood â€" is one of two works the Public Theater will present this summer as part of its annual Shakespeare in the Park series in a production featuring the comedy stars Jesse Tyler Ferguson (“Modern Family”) and Hamish Linklater (“The New Adventures of Old Christine”). But which twin is each actor playing The Public isn’t saying just yet.

The Public said on Tuesday that Mr. Ferguson (an alumnus of “The Merchant of Venice” and “The Winter’s Tale,” among others”) would play Dromio, and Mr. Linklater (also of “Mercant” and “Winter’s Tale,” as well as Broadway’s “Seminar” and his Off-Broadway play “The Vandal”) would portray Antipholus, in a production directed by Daniel Sullivan. Asked whether this was referring to Dromio and Antipholus of Ephesus, or Dromio and Antipholus of Syracuse - or both sets of characters â€" a press representative for the Public said in an e-mail, “Jesse and Hamish are playing one set of twins but Dan Sullivan has some surprises in store for the rest of the casting.”

The second production of the Shakespeare in the Park season will be a new musical version of “Love’s Labour’s Lost,” with songs by Michael Friedman and an adapted book by Alex Timbers. Mr. Timbers, who is also directing this show, previously collaborated with Mr. Friedman on “Bloody Bloo! dy Andrew Jackson,” the satirical rock musical about the seventh president, which ran at the Public Theater and on Broadway.

“The Comedy of Errors” will be presented at the Delacorte Theater from May 28 through June 30, and “Love’s Labour’s Lost” will run from July 23 through Aug. 18.