Twelfth Night
by UCSD Theatre and Dance
by UCSD Theatre and Dance
Twelfth Night is the classic Shakespearean romantic comedy of mistaken identity. Following a shipwreck, twin sister and brother (Viola and Sebastian) think each other dead. Viola (Maria Dizzia), stranded in the kingdom of Illyria, is immediately drawn to Orsino (Erik Johnson), the Duke of Illyria. But the Duke has eyes for Countess Olivia (Alison Weller). The plotting Viola somehow assumes that she can win the Duke's heart by becoming a man and being his liaison between the Duke and the Countess. However, she could not have foreseen that Olivia would fall madly in love with her in the process!
Enter the twin brother Sebastian (David McMahon). With Viola dressed like a man, no one can tell the difference between the two. And with both siblings believing the other to have perished in the shipwreck, neither can understand why all of a sudden several strange people seem to be mistaking them for someone else, with several comical consequences.
Culled from UCSD's Master of Fine Arts program, excellent performances were to be expected. And so far as all the major roles were concerned, there were certainly no disappointments. Maria Dizzia, in the critical role of Viola, was charming as she left chaotic confusion in the wake of her scheming, although at certain times she could have cut loose with a bit more emotion for comic effect. Alison Weller showed plenty of emotion in her portrayal of Countess Olivia as she becomes hopelessly enthralled with the manly-dressed Viola. Alison's reaction to seeing the twins Viola and Sebastian together for the first time was hilarious. She clearly didn't mind having "two" much of a good thing!
But by far the greatest amount of comic relief came in the form of the subplot involving Olivia's cousin, a drunkard by the name of Sir Toby Belch (Damian Baldet), Toby's friends Sir Andrew (Michael Keyloun) and Fabian (Daoud Heidami), and the object of their scorn: Olivia's steward Malvolio (Trey Lyford). The sword fight between the unwilling and un-swashbuckling Sir Andrew and Viola was one of the best scenes of the play. And with Damian, Michael, and Daoud's physical additions to the script, Shakespeare could only have been pleased that actors can continue to find ways to make his 500-year-old play still seem so fresh. But my favorite character was Trey Lyford who showed definite signs of genius as Malvolio. Starting off as the ultimate bland, stiff butler, he does a 180 when he mistakenly comes to believe that the Countess has a thing for him, if only he would make a few zany "minor" adjustments to his wardrobe and demeanor. The only slightly disappointing thing about Malvolio is Shakespeare's fault, as he wrote an unsatisfying ending to this otherwise terrific role.
The show ends with the pleasing vocal talents of Yusef Miller as the character Feste, a minstrel to Countess Olivia who sings with a soothing voice and style that could prompt you to go buy a CD of 16th-century mega hits. Or at least download them from Napster.
The costuming is fairly good overall, with Countess Olivia's distracting pink dress being the worst and Malvolio's ensemble being the greatest achievement by Costume Designer Christal Weatherly. The scenery by Kelly Hanson is simple but used very well. There is only one small scene change in the show, which they did very cleverly as part of the play.
Twelfth Night has enough comedy and romance to make for an enjoyable night out. And even if you're already familiar with the story, I think you'll find UCSD's version of it unique enough to enjoy it again. Trey Lyford's Malvolio is worth the price of admission alone!
Rob Hopper
San Diego Playbill
~ Cast ~
Curio: Adam Day
A Lord: Stanley Park
Duke Orsino: Erik Johnson
Valentine: Mike Ratterman
Viola/Cesario: Maria Dizzia
Captain: Joseph Geever
Sir Toby Belch: Damian Baldet
Maria: Chane't Johnson
Sir Andrew Aguecheek: Michael Keyloun
Feste: Yusef Miller
Countess Olivia: Alison Weller
Servant: Tiffany Hallman
Servant: Monica Pan
Malvolio: Trey Lyford
Sebastian: David McMahon
Antonio: Kyle Lemieux
Fabian: Daoud Heidami
First Officer: Joseph Geever
Second Officer: Adam Day
Priest: Stanley Park
Director: Jonathan Silverstein
Scenic Designer: Kelly Hanson
Costume Designer: Christal Weatherly
Lighting Designer: Andrea Housh
Composer: Benjamin Carson
Dramaturg: Scott Horstein
Production Stage Manager: Jon Penner
Assistant Director: Suzanne Agins
Assistant Scenic Designer: Patrick Larsen
Assistant Costume Designers: Sarah Lenigan and Megan Ring
Assistant Lighting Designer: Rachael Campbell
Stage Manager: Erin Nelson
Assistant Stage Manager: Stephanie Evatt
Fight Choreographer: Damian Baldet
Faculty Advisors: Eva Barnes, Les Waters, Deb Hale, and Jim Winker
