America in the 1920s was a time of prosperity, passion and possibilities. Jazz was the musical craze, liquor (despite prohibition) was all the rage and love was – as always – at center stage throughout the age.
Drawing on the fun and festive atmosphere of that memorable era, the University of La Verne Theatre Arts Department production of William Shakespeare’s “Twelfth Night” sets the Bard’s classic comedy at a Roaring Twenties sunset beach party. The clothes and the booze are hot, the music is cool and love and excitement are all that really matters.
Guest Director Curtis Krick’s spring production features seven memorable performances in Dailey Theatre. Evening performances are scheduled for 7:30 on April 22-23-24, 29-30 and May 1, with a closing matinee beginning at 2 p.m. on Sunday, May 2.
Ticket prices are $10 for general admission, $8 for faculty, staff and seniors and $5 for students with valid ID. To make reservations, contact the La Verne Theatre Department at (909) 593-3511 ext. 4386, or email melody.rahbari@laverne.edu.
Written circa 1600, “Twelfth Night” offers audiences a view of light, cheerful, frantic and sensational chaos resulting from cases of mistaken identities, love, practical jokes and gender-crossing disguises. The play tells the tale of Viola (played by Stephanie Aguilar), shipwrecked on the shores of Illyria. To protect herself, she masquerades as a man named Cesario and becomes a servant to Duke Orsino (Jordan Randall), with whom she eventually falls in love. However, Orsino is in love with Olivia (Jennifer Scarr) and sends Cesario to woo her. Olivia, not realizing that Cesario is actually a woman, is charmed by Cesario and falls in love. Along the way, we meet two squires, Sir Toby Belch (Patrick Towles) and Sir Andrew Augecheek (Aaron Colby), who also pine for Olivia and devise an intricate plan to fool a fellow suitor, the domineering Malvolio (Zachary Green).
“Twelfth Night” examines passion and the madness it can spark, when insanity overcomes reason and gender lines are blurred, appearances are misleading and the thrill of being in love leads you to a place you’ve never gone before.
La Verne’s production also features set design by Adam Flemming, light design by Lisa D. Katz, and costume design by Sarah Register.
Directions to the university, campus maps and parking information are available at www.laverne.edu [1].