“Twelfth Night” reviewed by Frank Meccia

[rating=2]This is one of Williams Shakespeare’s romantic comedy with a feel-good ending, which is not the norm for him. You would think in today’s new modern world of Trans, sexual euphoria, and gender identity, they would hit it on the mark with this production. But it seems in the translation this came across very confusing, and hard to follow. “Twelfth Night” is a reference to the twelfth night after Christmas Day. also called the Eve of the Epiphany, “It was originally a Catholic holiday, and therefore an occasion for revelry, like other Christian feast days. Servants often dressed up as their masters, men as women, and so forth. This history of festive ritual and carnivalesque reversal, is the cultural origin of the play’s gender-confusion-driven plot.” In the play it refers to Christmas, in this production, it takes place on a beach and a Summer Beach Party, the idea of a never-ending summer. To me, if you’re going to change the setting, then you need to change the words in reference to Christmas and some of the songs.

In the original story, which is very confusing, just like most Shakespeare plays, Viola is shipwrecked on the coast of Illyria, and with the help of the Captain/ Fabian played by Avery Bowne, she believes her twin brother has drowned Sebastian, played by Justin Cahill. She disguises herself as a man and enters the service of Duke Orsino, played by Joe Ottenheimer. The Duke thinks he is in love with Olivia played by Shannon Coltrane, who is mourning the loss of her brother, and in her state she refuses to enjoy life, or the company of men, or except love for a period of 7 years. And like most comedies, when you get others involved to handle your love life you create a love triangle, and a who who’s of who is in love with who. Some famous lines from this play are “Some are born great, others achieve greatness.” , and “If music be the food of love, play on.”

Keeping with the idea of a beach party, costuming and sets were basic beach party, swimming pools, and blow-up beach toys, with everybody in basic boating and beach wear. The director Katie Lupica, thought this production was to be refreshing, amusing with a hint of being intrigued. It did help, having the Fox River as a backdrop, and a perfect summer night, But I did feel a little loss during the show. Shakespeare is difficult enough, to bring it into modern times, it takes a lot of imagination. And this year we have seen such great new ideas with Shakespeare, with As you like it and with All’s well that end’s well.

Twelfth Night is playing till Aug12th, with a 2pm performance on August 7th.

August 6th, 11th and 12th at 7 p.m.

The Historic Pavilion at Pottawatomie Park is located at 8th North Ave, St. Charles Il. Bring the family make an afternoon of it, the park has a miniature gold course, boating, tennis, and volleyball. There are areas to grill or to order food. Tickets are $30 adults, $25 seniors and $15 for students. Tickets can be bought at the theatre.

For info, visit www.KaneRepertoryTheatre.com

To see what others are saying, visit www.theatreinchicago.com, go to Review Round-Up and click at “Twelfth Night”.

Reviewed by : Frank Meccia