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Regional Reviews: Washington, D.C. Twelfth Night Also see Susan's report on the 2025 Helen Hayes Awards
Director Mei Ann Teo uses gender expression as the ruling motivation throughout this production, an update of the tradition in Shakespeare's time to cast boy actors in female roles. Scenic designer David I. Reynoso envisions the setting as a featureless expanse of concrete and hanging sheets of plastic, barren until set pieces allow particular locations to appear and disappear as needed. The action begins in the aftermath of a thunderstorm as the shipwrecked Viola (Lilli Hokama) arrives in Illyria; she believes her brother Sebastian has been lost in the storm. She disguises herself as a man, "Cesario," and seeks employment from the ruling duke, Orsino (Alyssa Keegan). Orsino sends Cesario to woo the countess Olivia (Alina Collins Maldonado) on his behalf, but Olivia is more interested in the younger Cesario. When Sebastian (El Beh)–who closely resembles his sister–turns up alive in Illyria, the complications pile up deliciously. To begin with, Hokama and El Beh actually do resemble each other in facial shape and hairstyle, not just their punkish costumes (designed with clever detail by Olivera Gajic), making the central situation seem theoretically possible if still unlikely. Keegan is a soulful and gentle Orsino, while Maldonado is an Olivia driven by her emotions (and a hidden naughty streak). The supporting characters are equally idiosyncratic in their self-expression. Olivia's uncle, pompous Sir Toby Belch (Che Kabia), wears elegant flowing robes; his nerdy friend Sir Andrew Aguecheek (Hunter Ringsmith) dresses in loud, clashing plaids and a shabby feather boa; Maria (Shubhangi Kuchibhotla), Olivia's maid, is partial to sleek black attire and long veils; and Feste the jester (Futaba) is crowned with a white wig that resembles a winter hat. Of course, the transformation of the pompous steward Malvolio (Nicholas Yenson) is a highlight of the play, but probably not like this–among other things, the man can dance. Gajic also interjects the Renaissance into this timeless world by adding jeweled codpieces to many of the male characters' costumes. Minjoo Kim's lighting design and Hao Bai's projections add depth and texture to the physical production, accompanied by Be Steadwell's moving and eclectic score. Twelfth Night runs through June 22, 2025, at Folger Theatre, Folger Shakespeare Library, Elizabethan Theatre, 201 E. Capitol St. SE, Washington DC. For ticket and information, please call 202-544-7077 or visit www.folger.edu. By William Shakespeare Cast: |
