Twelfth Night

A musical adaptation of William Shakespeare’s “Twelfth Night”

Conceived by Kwame Kwei-Armah and Shaina Taub
Music and lyrics by Shaina Taub

Directed by Ruben Van Kempen
Choreographed by Kathryn Van Meter
Music Directed by R.J. Tancioco

Center Theatre at Seattle Center

April 26, 2023

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May 21, 2023

Viola and her brother Sebastian are separated in a devastating shipwreck. Naturally, Viola decides to disguise herself as a man in this new land and, now as Cesario, get a job for Duke Orsino, with whom she instantly falls in love. Duke Orsino, however, loves the countess Olivia, and sends Viola-as-Cesario to woo her. Olivia, unaware of Viola’s disguise, falls in love with Cesario. Meanwhile, unbeknownst to Viola, Sebastian has been rescued and is about to add another angle to this love shape.

Shakespeare’s romantic comedy of mistaken identity and self-discovery is given a rousing musical adaptation originally premiered at New York’s Public Theatre, featuring an onstage band and a score inspired by jazz, soul, and showtunes from critically acclaimed musician Shaina Taub.

Content Advisories: This show includes content that may be distressing. Below are some particular warnings, but if you have any further questions, please email marketing@seattleshakespeare.org and we’ll be happy to provide additional information. This show contains: Death of a family member, grief, violence

*These advisories are based on the text of the play. As the show is developed and goes into rehearsals, we will continue to update advisories based on production-specific choices.*

PRODUCTION

Ruben Van Kempen (Director), R.J. Tancioco (Music Director/Keyboard/Conductor), Kathryn Van Meter (Choreographer), Parmida Ziaei (Scenic Designer), Jocelyne Fowler (Costume Designer), Kristi Matthews (Lighting Designer), Benjamin Radin (Sound Designer), Robin Macartney (Properties Designer), Jasmine Lomax (Intimacy Director), Harry Todd Jamieson (Fight Choreographer), Benjamin Bentler (Assistant Music Director/Keyboard/Conductor), Makaela Milburn (Text Coach), Elizabeth Stasio (Stage Manager), Clair Kaminski (Assistant Stage Manager), Jocelyne Fowler (COVID Safety Officer), Benjamin Radin (Technical Director), Andrew Long (Assistant Technical Director), Conor Fortner (Master Audio Engineer), Danny Herter (Master Electrician – Rehearsal/Tech), Clint Bull (Master Electrician – Performances), Jessica Christensen (Master Painter), Emily Kight (Wardrobe Master).

CAST

Simone Alene (Illyrian/Olivia Understudy), Andi Alhadeff (Olivia), Ania Briggs (Fabian/Illyrian/Viola & Sebastian Understudy), Natalya Czosnyka (Illyrian/Fabian & Maria Understudy), Hisam Goueli (Orsino), Alexandria J. Henderson (Viola), Danny Kam (Sir Toby Belch), Jon Lutyens (Malvolio), Donovan Mahannah (Sebastian/Illyrian), Pilar O’Connell (Maria/Feste Understudy/Fight & Intimacy Captain), James Schilling (Backstage Illyrian Singer/Orsino & Malvolio & Toby Understudy), Jimmy Shields (Sir Andrew Aguecheek/Dance Captain), Karin Terry (Feste), Jarron A. Williams (Antonio/Illyrian)

STUDY GUIDE

Take a look at the study guide for Twelfth Night, put together by our fabulous Education team! Read more and download here.