OKC theater opens 40th season with one of Shakespeare's funniest comedies, 'Twelfth Night'
William Shakespeare turned an iconic phrase when he penned the line "Some are born great, some achieve greatness and some have greatness thrust upon 'em" for "Twelfth Night."
As Oklahoma Shakespeare in the Park's new production ably illustrates, the greatness endures in his perennially popular romp.
The opening show of the nonprofit professional theater 40th anniversary season, "Twelfth Night" is considered one of The Bard's best comedies, and attendees are likely to find their cheeks aching from laughing so much.
Oklahoma Shakespeare is performing “Twelfth Night” through March 10 inside the Oklahoma City company's Indoor Black Box Theatre in the Paseo Arts District.
Here's what you need to know about the show:
How is 'Twelfth Night' helping to bid farewell to Oklahoma Shakespeare's co-founder?
"Twelfth Night" was the first show Oklahoma Shakespeare staged in 1985 at Edmond's Hafer Park. The madcap romantic comedy is a favorite of the classical company's co-founder and executive and artistic director, Kathryn McGill, who is retiring this season.
McGill's love for the material shines through in the delightful and immersive new production, her last to direct during her time leading the company.
The rollicking rom-com is staged inside Oklahoma Shakespeare's cozy black-box theater. The tireless cast — dressed in gorgeous garb devised by costume designer Lloyd Cracknell — uses the entire space and sometimes addresses audience members directly.
Scenic design and fabricator Robert Rickner, props designer and scenic painter Henri Bailey and lighting design Clara Wiebe ensure the indoor space is beautifully turned out for "Twelfth Night."
Which Oklahoma Shakespeare favorites play romantics and fools in 'Twelfth Night?'
The capable cast is made up of longtime and recent Oklahoma Shakespeare mainstays who eagerly plunge into The Bard's buoyant tale of mistaken identities, separated twins, witty fools and foolish wits.
On the island of Illyria, noblewoman Viola (Bell Reeves) manages to survive a shipwreck but believes that her twin brother, Sebastian (Paxton Kliewer), has drowned.
Suddenly alone in the world, she disguises herself as a young man named Cesario and enters the service of dashing Duke Orsino (Justin Marlow).
The duke is in love with the grief-stricken Countess Olivia (Jacey Nichole) and enlists Cesario to help him woo her. But Viola falls in love with Orsino, while Olivia falls in love with Viola’s alter ego, Cesario. And the duke is disquieted by his feelings for his new page.
The amorous entanglements get even more snarled when Olivia’s roguish uncle Sir Toby (David Weber) and his dimwitted drinking buddy Sir Andrew (Dillon Rasberry) scheme with the countess’ mischievous lady-in-waiting Maria (Lindsey Rollins) and playful court jester Feste (Tyler Malinauskas) to fool the stuffy steward, Malvolio (Wil Rogers), into believing that Olivia is in love with him.
Catering to the show's famous early line "If music be the food of love, play on," the production dishes out some satisfying musical interludes, with Malinauskas playing guitar and leading the cast in warbling a couple of sea shanties and Rollins lending her angelic voice to a funeral ode.
It's just another little treat in the vertiable feast of love and laughter Oklahoma Shakespeare serves up with "Twelfth Night."
'TWELFTH NIGHT'
When: Through March 10.
Where: Oklahoma Shakespeare in the Park's Indoor Black Box Theatre, 2920 Paseo.
Tickets: https://www.okshakes.org/twelfth-night.
This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Rom-com 'Twelfth Night' opens OKC theater's 40th season: What to know
