Last night was the first of the last “Sneak Peek” shows I will ever attend during my college career. To be honest, I wasn’t sure what to expect. I knew what the play was called, and I definitely knew Shakespeare had something to do with it.
Photo from the Department of Theatre & Dance.
I’ve heard before that “Twelfth Night” is supposed to be extremely comical, and needless to say, that myth proved itself to be true. I could instantly tell Tech’s Theatre Department went all out on this production. The Mainstage or Maedgen Theatre is always a pleasant place to be. The room is large and you get the full play experience right before your eyes. This time, not only could audience members sit in the regular seats of the theatre, we also had the choice of sitting onstage with the performers.This reminded me of a combination of the Mainstage and the Laboratory Theatre all rolled into one.
In Dramaturg Jared Strange’s notes, he described onstage seating as very popular and common in Elizabethan theaters. The other unique element of “Twelfth Night” is it is known for having more music than any other play in the Shakespeare category. Thanks to the TTU School of Music, there was a small instrument and choral ensemble that performed onstage during the play.
I am probably one of the most sarcastic people within my circle of friends/my family, but Malvolio (Randy Woolley) might have topped me with this character’s personality.
So, here’s the rundown of “Twelfth Night:” Shakespeare creates a story about a twin brother and sister reuniting, even though the pair thinks the other drowned at the beginning of the play. “Twelfth Night” is full of comedy, sarcasm, and pure entertainment. At the beginning of the play I was slightly concerned the old language would hinder my comprehension of the entire story — but I was mistaken.
After Orsino, Duke of Illyria (Christopher Kiley) makes his speech about wanting to woo a woman, the play speeds up and takes you on a wild ride of pure joy and laughter. There are a few serious parts, definitely, but a few select characters are far from this character.
I won’t give away too much, but I will name a few of my favorite characters.
Photo from the Department of Theatre & Dance.
Viola
Madison Weinhoffer does it again. I think I’ve seen her play at least 3 different roles in the past semester, but this might be my favorite one. Weinhoffer is the the girl in the twin group. In attempts to find her brother and potentially get to know Orsino (Kiley) a little better, she dresses up like a man and describes herself as a young man who is an apprentice to the Duke. She’s charming and really funny. I feel like most of Weinhoffer’s roles have been really serious minus her part in TTU’s production of “Rent” last semester. It was nice to see her be talented in the form of a pleasant character.
Feste, a Jester
Hot damn can Feste (Thomas Laney III) sing. As I’ve mentioned in previous reviews, I was in musicals and choir all through high school, so I melt over pure voices. Not only does Laney have pipes, he could also act. His role of being a jester was perfection. He was there to entertain not only the Duke, but the audience too. He was the main musical muse during the play and I fully enjoyed every moment he was on stage. His true comedy would come out whenever he was up to no good and trickery with the next two characters I described.
Sir Toby Belch
Poor Sir Toby (Trevor Wise). He’s an old drunk and I loved him for it. He is the uncle of Countess Olivia (Nikole Martine) and he only wants to find a wonderful man to take care of his beautiful niece. He always seems to be scheming with Feste and my next favorite character, Sir Andrew Aguecheek (Grayson Bradshaw). Sir Toby is usually the brains behind the operation while his minions give off more of twiddle dee and twiddle dumb personas.
If that doesn’t sell you, it’s also amusing to watch the audience members who choose to sit on stage and watch their faces. I only say this because the characters definitely interact with the audience onstage, but it adds flavor to the play and gives it a nice touch.
Sir Andrew Aguecheek
This man was my absolute favorite character. Sir Andrew Aguecheek (Grayson Bradshaw) is the comic relief of all comic reliefs. His character is very metro with a dash of manliness. His mannerisms made me laugh out loud, multiple times. Trust me when I say this, there are two particular scenes you should go see this play specifically for. There is a garden scene that includes Sir Andrew, Sir Toby, and Malvolio (Randy Woolley) and the way the director set up this scene is utter perfection. You can’t help but laugh out loud. The other is a sword fight between Sir Andrew and Viola. The two are too scared to fight, but of course, Sir Toby has manipulated the two into a battle royale. It’s perfection in a scene.
Photo from the Department of Theatre & Dance.
Malvolio, Olivia’s Steward
I am probably one of the most sarcastic people within my circle of friends/my family, but Malvolio (Randy Woolley) might have topped me with this character’s personality. Malvolio is secretly(ish) in love with Olivia, who he tends to on a daily basis. Sir Toby and his wife play a cruel, yet hysterical, trick on Malvolio that makes him think Olivia is in love with him. He changes his entire persona, clothing, and inner cynicism melts away in attempts to woo Olivia. Chaos only ensues.
Those characters and certain scenes make the show. If that doesn’t sell you, it’s also amusing to watch the audience members who choose to sit on stage and watch their faces. I only say this because the characters definitely interact with the audience onstage, but it adds flavor to the play and gives it a nice touch. Another reason to see this play: it has a happy ending. I feel like the last few plays I’ve viewed in the Tech Theatre Department have been sad or unsettling, so this was a nice change of pace.
Tickets to “Twelfth Night” are $18 for individuals; $5 for students with a valid student ID. For tickets or more information, contact the Maedgen box office at 742-3603; that’s 742-3603.
Cast:
Orsino, Duke of Illyria – Christopher Kiley
Curio/Officer – Cody Lindley
Valentine/Servant/Officer – Michael Boughton
Sea Captain/Priest – Joseph Schellback
Viola – Madison Weinhoffer
Olivia, a Countess – Nikole Martine
Feste, a Jester – Thomas Laney III
Sir Toby Belch – Trevor Wise
Sir Andrew Aguecheek – Grayson Bradshaw
Maria, a Lady in Waiting – Mackenzie Kennedy
Malvolio, Olivia’s Steward/Sailor – Randy Woolley
Sebastian/Attendant – Gabriel Vanover
Fabian/Salior – Joshua Servantez
Attendants to Olivia – Taylor Hart and Jennifer Morazan
Musicians
Recorder/Voice – Benjamin Robinette
Violin – Samantha Wilde
Viola Da Gamba – Stephanie Rizvi-Stewart
Irish Bouzouki/Mandola – Roger Landes
Harmonium – Rob De Vet
Production Staff
Stage Manager – Sierra Burt
Assistant Stage Manager – Scott Luke
Assistant Director – Andrea Anderson
Dramaturg – Jared Strange
Fight Director – Tiza Garland
Fight Captains – Michael Boughton and Joshua Servantez
Vocal Coach – Courtney Brown
Master Electrician -Emmett Buhmann
Sound Running Crew – Maria Bacerra
Lights Running Crew – Lauren Mangum, Connor Lee Myers, and Alexis Qaiyyim
Set Running Crew – Jessica Garcia, Colton Hollums, and Jesus Solis III
Costume Running Crew – Reagan Kruse, Carrie Shores, and Jessica Teague
Program Design – Aaron Wood
Poster/Program Cover Design – KVN Studio
House Supervisor - Ashley Meyer
Assistant House Supervisors - Clay Martin, DeRon Williams, and Karen Wurl
House Managers – Natascha Muizers and Emily Sitton
Ushers – Joshua Barrett, Wesley Bingham, Kate Dressler, Jordan Hammack, Calli Lynch, and Natalie Mayo.