Photo Flash: First Look at Connecticut Rep's TWELFTH NIGHT

Connecticut Repertory Theatre continues the 2015-16 season with a production of William Shakespeare's comedy TWELFTH NIGHT, directed by Victor Maog. It is the second show of the mainstage series and will perform in the Nafe Katter Theatre. CRT brings audiences a TWELFTH NIGHT infused with the music and jollity of the Christmas season. Wrapped in carols and mistletoe Shakespeare's finest comedy is a paean to the restorative power of love and the uproarious joy of the holidays. Performances begin December 3rd and run through December 13th. BroadwayWorld has a first look at the cast in action below!

After being shipwrecked at sea and losing her twin brother, Viola washes up on the shores of Ilyria. She disguises herself as a young page named Cesario and goes to work for the handsome nobleman, Duke Orsino, who is madly in love with the Lady Olivia. When "Cesario" is sent to deliver a message of Orsino's love to Olivia, the Lady falls in love with Viola, disguised as a young man. Trapped in a seemingly inescapable love triangle, the three pursue their interests in a hysterical comedy of mistaken identity, set against the backdrop of the upcoming holiday season.

Joining the cast is equity actor Richard Ruiz, playing Sir Toby. Ruiz is no stranger to the CRT stage, having previously played Alfred Doolittle in My Fair Lady and Sancho Panza in Man of La Mancha. Upon receiving his MFA from UConn in 1998, Ruiz began his professional career in New York. Off-Broadway credits include: Two Gentlemen of Verona: The Musical at The Public Theatre, Fiorello, Disney's Hunchback of Notre Dame, The Winter's Tale, Guys and Dolls, Cyrano, The Mystery of Irma Vep, and 'Tis Pity She's a Whore, among others. His national tour credits include: Man of La Mancha, Sweet Charity, Urinetown, and Jesus Christ Superstar. Ruiz recently recorded the American cast album of Disney's Hunchback of Notre Dame.

Equity actor Andrew Ramcharan Guilarte will also join the cast, taking on the role of Malvolio. Guilarte most recently had co-starring roles on Elementary and Madame Secretary. Other film and television credits include: Jessica Jones, Person of Interest, Nurse Jackie, Law and Order: SVU, Turks, Early Edition, The Workplace, When Kiran Met Karen, and How It Probably Went Down: Gandhi. He was recently seen onstage as Oberon/Theseus in Masterworks Theatre Company's production of A Midsummer Night's Dream. Other recent credits include: Fifth Planet From The Sun at Lincoln Center's Clarke Studio Theatre and the King of Siam in Marriott Theatre's production of The King & I. Off Broadway credits include Macbeth, Awake and Sing, Bunty Berman Presents, Marat/Sade, and The Winter's Tale. Guilarte holds a BFA from DePaul Theatre School and an MFA from the Yale School of Drama.

The cast includes acting MFA candidates Darren Brown, Arlene Bozich, Curtis Longfellow, and Jeff DeSisto, BFA actors Juliana Bearse, Madison Coppola, Chester Martin, Brian Sullivan, Kevin Hilversum, Joon Ho Oh, BA Theatre studies majors Olivia Benson and Max Helfand, and puppetry MFA candidate Mark Blashford.

The creative team includes: Victor Maog (Director), Brett Calvo (Scenic Designer), Justin Poruban (Lighting Design), Tuoxi Wu (Costume Designer), Abigail Golec (Sound Design), Marie Percy (Movement/Fight Choreography), David Alan Stern (Voice & Text Coach), Gregory Maine (Technical Director) and Tom Kosis* (Production Stage Manager).

For tickets and information, visit crt.uconn.edu or call (860)-486-2113.

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