Maryland Ensemble Theatre to Present TWELFTH NIGHT, 10/24-11/16

Maryland Ensemble Theatre (MET) will present the second play in its seventeenth Mainstage season, that well known western "Twelfth Night", a rootin' tootin' six-gun shootin' comedy by Wild Bill Shakespeare. The classic comedy with a MET twist will be directed by Tim Seltzer and will run every Thursday through Sunday at Maryland Ensemble Theatre from October 24 through November 16.

The first know performance of "Twelfth Night; or, What You Will" was in 1602 but the MET version takes place in the old western town of Illyria, California in the mid 1800's. MET replaces Count Orsino with Marshall Orsino and the Countess Olivia is now the owner of the town saloon. The Marshal loves the saloon owner, but she'll none of him. She loves one of the Marshal's men, but he's a she and in love with the Marshal. Confused? Well, so are they. Come watch them sort it all out with deputies, drunks and musicians galore, but the script, story and language is unchanged from the Shakespeare you either loved or hated as a kid.

The director Tim Seltzer thinks the wild west setting compliments the material. "It just happens to fit perfectly and it gives us even more latitude to work in visual and physical comedy to help the audience understand the language of Shakespeare and appreciate the zany humor inherent in the script. The bottom line, is it's very, very funny." Seltzer, who is a MET Company Member and previously directed "The Eight: Reindeer Monologues" for MET, will direct a talented cast featuring DC Cathro, Dena Colvin, Steve Custer, Eric Jones, Caitlyn Joy, Matt Kline, Tom Majarov, Jesse Marciniak, Lia Seltzer, Nate Smith and Amanda Spellman. "We have had a great time making each other laugh in rehearsals and that will show in every performance. If you already know, understand and appreciate the Bard's work, you will love this show. If you have never understood what all the fuss is about, or have begrudgingly had to study it in school, you will love it too. We have pulled out all the stops to make this show laugh-out-loud funny and perfectly understandable," said Seltzer. Seltzer and his cast will be ably assisted by a design team featuring Doug Grove (lights/set), Sherry Shaner (costumes), Lorrie Lee (properties), and Thom Huenger is composing original music for the production.

"Twelfth Night" will run every Thursday through Sunday from October 24 through November 16 at MET, located in the historic FSK Hotel at 31 W Patrick Street. Thursday, October 23 there will be preview performance at 8pm and tickets to that show are $10 (cash only at door/no reservations). The first Sunday performance will be preceded by a reception hosted by MET Board Members Jim Hochadel and Kathy Young and sponsored by Giant Eagle.

Tickets to "Twelfth Night" are $16.50 (Thursdays) through $25.50 and can be purchased at 301.694.4744, marylandensemble.org or in person at the Maryland Ensemble Theatre box office. This show is made possible in part through the support of MET's season sponsors including Comcast, The Frederick Gorilla, Key 103, Eagle 106.9, Ausherman Family Trust, Maryland Oral Surgery Associates, The Frederick News Post and both the Frederick and Maryland Arts Councils.

For more information on the MET's production of "Twelfth Night" or any of the MET's other programs including The Ensemble School, The Fun Company or The Comedy Pigs you can visit marylandensemble.org or call 301-694-4744.

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