TWELFTH NIGHT
Chicago Shakespeare Theater brings one of William Shakespeare's top comedies, Twelfth Night, to life with a vibrant twist. Under the direction of the newly hired Artistic Director Edward Hall and Executive Director Kimberly Motes, the play is skillfully adapted by rising star director Tyrone Phillips, founding Artistic Director of Chicago's Definition Theatre Company. Phillips, with an amazingly creative team and cast, delivers an outrageously funny and provocative Shakespearean narrative, reimagining it in the Caribbean Isles. Shakespeare's famous quote, "If music be the food of love, play on," sets the tone for the delightful comedy "Twelfth Night." The play follows the story of Viola and Sebastian, twins who are separated by a shipwreck off the coast of Illyria. Viola disguises herself as a man named Cesario and finds work with Duke Orsino, who is in love with Countess Olivia. However, Olivia, still grieving over losing her brother and vowing to see no love interest, allows the persistent Duke Orsino's page as his envoy to court her on his behalf. She has grown tired of his desires, laughing at him with her gentlewomen. Vowing never to love him, she attends the words from the page and is enticed by Cesario's elegant speech and seeks his hand in marriage, not knowing she is a woman. Viola, who is in love with Duke Orsino, is confused by the gesture of the countess, and when the Duke learns of his deception, he goes into an angry tirade, only to discover that one woman who truly loves him is already near to his soul. Phillips's Twelfth Night is an outrageously funny and provocative Shakespearean narrative that will have you hysterically laughing even after the play is over. It's just that good!
The play has several subplots, where Olivia's steward, Malvolio, the antagonized Puritan who opposes the carnivalesque festivities of Olivia's uncle, excellently performed by Paul Oakley Stovall, is tricked into thinking that Olivia loves him by Maria, Olivia's gentlewoman, with Olivia's uncle, Sir Toby Belch, with his exploited companion, Sir Andrew Aguecheek; played by three exceptional actors, Danielle Davis, Ronald L. Conner and Alex Goodrich. Aguecheek is also a suitor of Olivia's and fights with Cesario for the honor of her love. And there is a special admiration between Sebastian and Antonio. And I love how they mixed in iconic reggae and R&B songs into the works of Shakespeare.
“Dost thou think, because thou art virtuous, there shall be no more cakes and ale?”
Historically, there was an actual festival of Twelfth Night, where an appointed person, typically of low ranking, would preside over the Feast of Fools, entertaining with songs, drunken revels, wild and obnoxious partying, boarding on chaos and disorder. Although the play centers around the two twins, played by Jaeda LaVonne (Viola) and Justen Ross as Sebastian, there isn't one performer that stands out because they were all outstanding. The radiant Christiana Clark was great as Olivia, and Yao Dogbe (Orsino), Isreal Erron Ford (Feste), Roberto Mantica(Curio), Adam Poss (Antonio) and Shelby Lynn Bias, Naphtali Curry, and Arielle Leverett made up a stellar cast that even Shakespeare would have loved to have seen. Twelfth Night is a Caribbean delight and a must-see production, with incredible performances by the cast, perfect dialect, singing and dancing, costumes, phenomenal staging, scenic design, sound lighting, and projection. Phillip, who is Jamaican-American, perfectly combines his heritage with Shakespeare's poetic words, bringing together an energetic cultural experience — proving he is one of Chicago's best in directing.
Of the seventeen comedies written by Shakespeare, Twelfth Night (Full title: Twelfth Night, or What You Will) ranks as one of his top comedies and the only one that references Twelfth Night after Christmas Day. The theme is about the intricate issues of gender, class, sexual attraction, loss, and grief, making it suitable for today; however, as I looked at the eight-year-old kid sitting in front of me, my feeling was that although there was a lot of humorous scenes within this production, it's not appropriate for elementary students. It's fantastic to see this talented young man get his well-deserved recognition on a big stage in Chicago. The play is a lively and entertaining romp that is sure to delight audiences. It's a Shakespearian Caribbean carnival you don't want to miss.
4 STARS ****
Chicago Shakespeare Theater
Twelfth Night
By William Shakespeare
Directed by Tyrone Phillips
October 25–November 26, 2023
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