It's a circus: Viterbo presents Shakespeare's "Twelfth Night"
Here is a joke for you, what do you get when you cross two identical twins with one fun-loving clown? The answer is, you get a circus. Opening Friday, Feb. 28, at the Weber Center for Performing Arts, is Viterbo’s Theatre for Young Audiences (TYA) production of Shakespeare’s “Twelfth Night.” Before the curtain opens, however, there is still a week of rehearsals for actors to prepare for their young audience.
This Shakespearean comedy tells the tale of two twins, Sebastian (Gavin Mason) & Viola (Payton Harper), who think they lost the other in a shipwreck. Under this impression, Viola dresses as a man and they both journey to Illyria, a land ruled by Duke Orsino (Calum Sullivan).
Shakespeare can be daunting for any actor, let alone an underclassman one. Therefore, it can be understandable how freshman music theatre major, Payton Harper felt when she saw her name on the cast-list. “When I first saw the cast list, I immediately looked for the word, understudy,” stated Harper, “but I am so appreciative for my cast mates and Rick Walters for creating such a fun environment to try new things and have fun.”
Harper then explained how she prepared for her first college rehearsals: “I talked to some friends, and they suggested the notecards. I am very grateful for them. It helps my brain when I write out every line, and I don't need someone to run lines with me.” She then elaborated, “I have learned how much fun a rehearsal can be when you come prepared to work, to try new things, to make choices, and to fail.”
But what is the significance of “Twelfth Night”? Calvin O'Connell, junior MFA theatre major, playing Sir Toby Belch stated that “It was written at that beautiful time of Shakespeare's writing career where he was beginning to really step into more prose and unique verse. It balances the humor and melodrama so beautifully it this, that it is genuinely a riotous good time.”
Being a TYA production, however, one can be concerned that a reduced version of the script can deprive them of some of the experience. Luckily, O’Connell restored confidence when he explained that “While the content is altered to a different ‘Twelfth Night’ than some people might know, there is no doubt the magic and humor of the show is not lost in any way, shape, or form.”
“There have been numerous jokes cut from the TYA version that were deemed too mature or suggestive for the innocent ears of youths,” stated lead clown, Gemma Cooper, the junior acting major playing Feste. “While I do miss being able to perform these jokes, the production still maintains its wonderful sense of humor.”
Though it is TYA, the production still poses many unique challenges. “It's a lot of work,” stated Calum Sullivan, freshman music theatre major, playing Duke Orsino. “This is my first crack at Shakespeare,” he continued. “Shakespearean monologues are lengthy, and acting all the way through them introduces many challenges to a young actor.”
Cooper also added on this topic saying, “The music, for me, has been one of the more challenging aspects of the show because most of it has been arranged by us three actors, so not only did we have to write what we’re performing, but then we actually have to learn it, too. “
Though challenges are present for all the actors, there is still widespread excitement for opening night. “I am so excited,” concluded Harper, “Shakespeare is hard, but everyone has worked so hard to put this show together; I know this is going to be a fantastic show.”