Theatre: Shakespeare at Sunset Presents Twelfth Night
Date(s):
Thursday, August 25, 2011 at 7:00 pm
Friday, August 26, 2011 at 7:00 pm
Saturday, August 27, 2011 at 7:00 pm
Location:
University Theatre, University Center for the Arts, 1400 Remington St.
Price:
$8/General Admission, FREE/under 8
Watch a slide show from the production.
Turnabout is fair play, especially in a Shakespeare comedy. So what if the original cast of Twelfth Night by William Shakespeare, a rich tapestry of illusion, was male. In a play that hinges on disguise, androgyny seems to fit like a costume. Set on the night of Epiphany, which Elizabethan England celebrated as a mid-winter romp where rules were broken, loves confessed and wrongs repaid, the comedy encourages such artful transformations. Thus, our version, with LIVE music, features an all-female cast, in late Victorian times, at the British Music Hall.
The fascinating sexual ambiguity of the plays out in a love triangle between Orsino, Olivia, and Viola (dressed as a youth), while Olivia’s clever jester Feste accompanies the action at a baby grand piano, giving a a bleary, cynical, Vegas-style comedic performance. Whiskery, bursting-at-the-seams Sir Toby, and an Ichabod Crane-ish Sir Andrew are male impersonations, sharply skewering the vanity and buffoonery of men’s “types.”
Guest Musician
Shakespeare at Sunset is excited to announce that Denver/Boulder jazz and blues pianist George Nelson will appear as the musician-half of our Feste, playing blues and standards throughout the performance. Take a listen!
George has been performing solo for nearly 40 years in venues across Colorado, California, and Arizona. His longevity as a solo artist is testimony to his appeal and the loyalty of his fans who seek him out on scant publicity. Wherever George plays, from prestigious clubs and hotels to backwater bars, George’s fans are sure to come.
Museum Tours
Enjoy a family-friendly evening at the University Center for the Arts! Patrons are invited for a pre-show picnic on the lovely grounds of the UCA. Additionally, on select nights, the University Art Museum at the UCA is offering free guided tours at 6 p.m. Starting June 30, tours are available on Thursday, Friday, and Saturdays (June 30, July 1, 7, 8, 9, 14, 15, 16, 21, 22, 23, 28, 29 30).
Sponsorship
This project was made possible, in part, through a grant from the Lilla B. Morgan Memorial Fund, which was established to enhance the cultural development and atmosphere of Colorado State University. Additional sponsorship was provided by the City of Fort Collins Fort Fund.