Greenfield-based Acting Up Productions (AUP) will present William Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night March 14-24 at the Wheeler Arts Community in Fountain Square.
Shakespeare’s comedy Twelfth Night or What You Will was written around 1600 and has been adapted numerous times from stage to film, television, and radio since the first known performance on February 2, 1602 at Middle Temple Hall in London on Candlemas (the Christian holiday celebrating the presentation of Jesus at the Temple). Some of the most well-known adaptations include a jukebox musical All Shook Up featuring the music of Elvis Presley; the 1996 film starring Imogen Stubbs, Helena Bonham Carter, and Ben Kingsley; the 1998 Lincoln Center Theatre revival starring Helen Hunt, Kyra Sedgwick, Philip Bosco and Paul Rudd; and She’s the Man a 2006 romantic teen comedy starring Amanda Bynes and Channing Tatum. The main story involves a love triangle where Viola falls in love with Orsino who loves Olivia who falls for Cesario (who is actually Viola in disguise). Add in Viola’s thought-dead twin brother, a clown (Feste) and a cast of cunning characters and you get a comedy of errors worthy of its long-standing popularity.
AUP’s adaptation sets the cast of characters near the end of Prohibition, in the early 1930s. Orsino (AUP company member, Sam Fain) is an organized crime boss in love with another mobster’s daughter Olivia (Jaddy Ciucci). Viola (Lauren Briggeman) and her twin-brother Sebastian (Matt Goodrich) are from a wealthy political family whose patriarch was assassinated in front of them. The space is setup in Orsino’s speakeasy where guests are entertained by lounge-singer Feste the Clown (Liz Porter). Rounding out the cast of Indianapolis-area theatre favorites are Michael Hosp (Valentine), Bill Wilkison (Captain), Aaron Ploof (Curio), Tristan Ross (Sir Toby Belch), David Mosedale (Sir Andrew), Georgeanna Smith (Maria), Marcy Thornsberry (Fabian), Scott Russell (Antonio), Ronn Johnston (Malvolio), Dave Buttram (Priest), Paul Creekmur (Orsino’s Gang), and Elisa Creekmur and Tonya Kunkel (Olivia’s attendants).
Director and Designer R. Brian Noffke has kept Shakespeare’s original language intact while creating a fascinating re-telling of this classic comedy. His “dream cast” is supported by Greg Raley-Barrett (Assistant Director), Debbi Sponsler (Stage Manager), Rebekah Foster (Assistant Stage Manager/Costumer/Makeup Designer), Tristan Ross (Costume Adviser), and Fred Margison (Stage Crew). The sound, lights, and sets are all designed by Noffke.
Twelfth Night will be presented Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays at 8:00 p.m. and Sundays at 6:30 p.m. March 14-24 at the Wheeler Arts Community Theatre at 1035 Sanders Street, Indianapolis. Tickets are $12 Reserved or $10 for Seniors/Students with ID and $15/$12 at the door. Tickets may be purchased by calling the box office at 317-207-0171 or online at www.ActingUp-Productions.com.
Wheeler Arts Center
1035 Sanders Street
Indianapolis, IN 46203
