TWELFTH NIGHT Begins Tonight at Lincoln Park Conservatory

Midsommer Flight continues its fourth season of free Shakespeare programming, presenting for the first time a free indoor production of Shakespeare's delightful comedy Twelfth Night in partnership with the Lincoln Park Conservatory. Dedicated to presenting high quality, accessible productions of Shakespeare's plays, Midsommer Flight is a proud arts partner with the Chicago Park District. This early winter production of Twelfth Night will be directed by Midsommer Flight's Founder and Producing Artistic Director Beth Wolf and presented in the Show House room at the Lincoln Park Conservatory, 2391 N. Stockton Dr. The limited holiday production runs from tonight, December 4 through 19 Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 p.m. Performances are free and open to the public, but reservations are encouraged due to limited seating. Donations gratefully accepted. For more information and to make a reservation, visit www.midsommerflight.com.

"We are thrilled to partner with the Lincoln Park Conservatory for the first time this year," said Wolf. "As Midsommer Flight imagined how to expand our programming into the winter months, we wanted to preserve the excitement we feel outdoors in the parks during our summer shows. The Conservatory's warm and lush environment is the perfect fit." Wolf continued, "Presenting this joyous play in such a beautiful and unique setting - and at 'the most wonderful time of the year' - is going to be a truly magical experience."

Twelfth Night takes the audience to Illyria, where a shipwrecked Viola disguises herself as a boy to work for the Duke Orsino. She promptly falls in love with him, who in turn loves the fair lady Olivia. Misunderstandings and misplaced love abound in this delightful comedy. The title of the play refers to the "twelfth night of Christmas," and some historians believe the play was originally written and performed for the holiday. Midsommer Flight's production will provide a free, family-friendly activity to Chicagoans for the holiday season and a unique experience amongst other holiday offerings in Chicago.

The play also features original music composed by new Midsommer Flight ensemble member Elizabeth Rentfro. Rentfro has appeared in two prior Midsommer Flight productions and has also composed music for the company's 2014 Much Ado About Nothing. "Exploring and creating the sound of Illyria is a collaborative process between me, the director and the performers," said Rentfro. "We have a fantastic group of talented actor/musicians who will sing and play guitar, mandolin, flute and other instruments live onstage during the performance."

The cast features Will Burdin (Antonio and others), Jared Dennis (Malvolio), Meredith Ernst (Viola), Adam Habben (Andrew Aguecheek), Kanome' Jones (Olivia), Jake Jones (Sebastian), Nick Loumos (Orsino), Alex Mauney (Feste), Ian Michael Minh (Curio, Sea Captain, and others), Elizabeth Rentfro (Maria), Erick Rivera (Officer 1 and others), Chris Smith (Toby Belch, Trey Wright (Valentine and others), and Maureen Yasko (Fabian and others). Additional production staff includes Monisa Victrum (assistant director), Chris Smith (violence designer) and Elizabeth Shorrock (costume designer).

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