Review: TWELFE NIGHT at Arden Shakespeare Gild

One of the most popular and enduring of Shakespeare's comedies, Twelfth Night invites the audience to Illyria. In this production, a Mediterranean resort where the usual elements of Shakespearean comedy appear: twins, mistaken identity, cross-dressing, and music. It also offers a sufficiently evil villain, Malvolio, who earns his comeuppance in the end at the hands of a trio of alcohol-fueled mischief makers. Love arises, falls, and rises again to the tunes of original music and a singing Feste, the clown.

This year's production features the reunion of two actors who are reprising their roles. Kerry Kristine McElrone and Michelle Jacob Stradley, play Olivia and Viola respectively, respectively, roles they played in a 2006 City Theater production of Twelfth Night. Director Mary Catherine Kelley observes that "these two actresses did their homework years ago; both are dedicated to the text and to clarity and to the pure fun of the comedy. It's truly a pleasure to watch them." McElrone agrees that "this time around, we are playing her (Olivia) with the idea that Cesario makes her lose control; before, the control was there leaving little time for real emotion. Stradley says. "This time around, I'm enjoying exploring how Viola navigates the relationships that arise from her new life in Illyria - from her love interest Orsino to the lovely but confused Olivia."

The two are joined by Arden Shakespeare veterans, Jason Fawcett as Orsino, Colin Antes as Sebastian, Dan Tucker as Sir Toby Belch, Henry Moncure as Sir Andrew Aguecheek (Ron Ozer fills in on June 9), and Tom Wheeler in a dual role as Captain/Priest. Newcomers Rob Hull, Petra DeLuca, Liam Freeh, and Will Bryant take on the roles of Malvolio, Fabian, Feste, and Antonio

Performances are June 8, 9, 14-16, 21, 22, and 23 at 8:00PM plus a matinee on Sunday, June 17, at 2PM. They take place outdoors at the Frank Stephens Memorial Theater (aka The Field Theater) adjacent to the Arden Green. Performances move to the Gild Hall in the event of rain. Reservations by email: ardenshakespearetix@gmail.com; confirmation by email, or at www.ardenshakes.com - Prices are $12.00 for general admission ($10 for club members), $5.00 for children 12 and under, and $7.00 for all matinee tickets.

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