2008 Woodie Awards
Shakespeare visits campus
ISU Theater to perform "Twelvth Night" in Frazier
Dilan Brown
Issue date: 4/20/05 Section: News
- Page 1 of 1
|
Not literally, but in the form of his classic tale, "Twelfth Night." A whimsical comed that kicks off its five show run with the April, 22 opening performance. The occasion will also represent the thousands of hours of work and commitment from the countless crew members, actors, and coordinators involved in the production. The show's director, Dr. Norm Schroder, is confident that "Twelfth Night" will live up to the buzz that a Shakespearean production creates.
"I hope that people will avail themselves of the opportunity to see Shakespeare," said Schroder, who also directed "Man of La Mancha," the christening production of ISU's hilltop jewel, the L.E. and Thelma E. Stephens Performing Arts Center. "People can come see why Shakespeare is Shakespeare," Schroder said.
Schroder has a personal attachment to "Twelfth Night," having played the role of Sir Toby Belch in a 1989 performance at the University of Bowling Green, where Schroder was completing his graduate studies.
"I have a great affinity for it," Schroder said. "It's very lively and quite hilarious; in typical Shakespeare style."
"Twelfth Night" promises a wide variety of entertaining elements, which include a ship wreck, sword fights, romance, deceit, and several farcical cases of mistaken identity. Schroder is especially anxious about the swashbuckling in the play which was honed under the tutelage of combat choreographer, Christine Weinberg.
Set in the kingdom of Illyria, "Twelfth Night" follows the shipwrecked Viola (Amanda Lords), who is disguised as a man, Cesario, through an impossible infatuation with the Nobleman Orsino (Ian Murray). To make matters worse, the object of Orsino's affection, Lady Olivia (Ailaine Paloukos), soon falls for the handsome Cesario. Throw in the return of the thought-to-be-dead Sebastian (Jared White), Viola/Cesario's brother, and a Shakespearean spectacle of oddity is created.
"It really has it all," Schroder said. "It will be a crowd pleaser."
The play also includes one of the theater's most classic comedic scenes, where Malvolio (Philip Shepherd) is vying for Olivia's affection by donning yellow stockings, smiling constantly, and offering no explanation for his behavior. All of this initiated by a phony letter from Olivia's witty gentlewoman, Maria (Diane Potter).
"I'm always amazed at how well these scenes still work," said Schroder of Shakespeare's timeless quality. "You soon forget you're watching a four hundred year old show."
"Twelfth Night" will be showing at the Frazier Auditorium on April the 22, 23, 28, and 29 with all performances beginning at 7:30.