Like, wherefore art thou Dromio, dude?

Denver theatregoers will happily ask that question when they get a wintertime blast of summertime fun -- a new production of Shakespeare's The Comedy Of Errors, updated to modern day Southern California by director James Dunn.

The show begins previews Jan. 23, opens Jan. 30 and runs to Feb. 23.

The third play of DTC's Generations Series, begun this season to introduce young audiences to live theatre, Errors will have, among many other gags, surfing nuns who wear orange tennis shoes and have a fire-pole installed in their convent home so they can get to the beach in a hurry. "We're having a great time with this play," set designer Bill Curley told writer Teri Downard for the company's winter Newsletter. "Jim [Dunn] lays out his vision then invites participation from the entire cast and crew. Everyone's been throwing in ideas. Afater a while, of course, he has to call it off and make the final decisions. But we've ended up with a set with every imaginable piece of beach life thrown in. Someone once said that if you tipped America on its left side and let everything slide off, you'd end up with Venice Beach. That's a pretty good description."

The plot of Shakespeare's zany farce concerns two sets of twins, both with the same first name (Antipholus), sons of the merchant Aegeon. Separated as infants, each searches for the other, helped by a servant -- yes, both servants are named Dromio. For tickets and information on the Denver Center For The Performing Arts production of Shakespeare's Comedy Of Errors, call (303) 893-4100. A $5 perspectives seminar will be held Jan. 24. --By David Lefkowitz