Twelfth Night (Acting Company)

See it if you want a clear, brisk accounting of Shakespeare’s greatest true comedy.

Don't see it if you’ve see this play often & only need to see a new production if that production is truly inspired.

Also This production of Shakespeare’s deepest comedy opens on a lovely tableau: A bedraggled Viola, nearly drowned at sea, climbs through a high, rectangular window in just a slip, hair soaked. To achieve this, this rendition splits the original scene 2 into 2 parts that sandwich the original scene 1. And Feste the fool, not some nameless sea captain, tells Viola where she is. The rest, though trimmed, is faithful, clear in diction & delineation of the intricately interweaving plots, handsome to look at but not so remarkable. I admired Stephen Pelinski’s Malvolio & his dignity in the final scene, after his return from the torture chamber, baffled & begrimed. Then for some reason, as the man exits calling for revenge, his drawers drop, leaving him bareass. Is this supposed to wring pathos from us? Several onstage characters just laugh; so do many in the audience, a jarring note before the final tableau, a reversal of the lovely beginning as Feste sings 1 of Shakespeare’s wisest songs.... Read more Read less

See it if you want to see a Twelfth Night that is well staged, very well acted and very funny. The enunciation is superb.

Don't see it if you don't like Shakespeare plays.

Also I usually don't like Twelfth Night because of all the side characters and their comic roles which usually overwhelm the play but the actors playing Malvolio, Toby, Sir Andrew and Fabian were really very good. Sometimes American actors do not have good enunciation(like the last Twelfth Night at Classic Stages), but these actors were very good. They were extremely funny and I looked forward to every scene they were in.... Read more Read less

See it if You love everything Shakespeare and want to see talented actors perform.

Don't see it if You want interesting staging, while the actors are great, the staging is boring, and there is a lot of standing around.

Also This is one of Shakespeare's comedies and I barely laughed. The space and sets are beautiful but the actors do an awful lot of just standing around reciting lines.... Read more Read less

See it if fine production to see if you don't want to wait in line for the Central Park production later this summer. Talented cast.

Don't see it if you've seen too many 12th Nights. This one was good, but I preferred Anne Hathaway in Central Park and Sam Barnett in the Rylance on Bway

See it if you never tire of Twelfth Night; you like when supporting characters have new depth

Don't see it if you want a Twelfth Night that feels as bawdy & festive as it could (there’ve been funnier ones staged not too long ago)

Also Ooooh there are some really interesting choices made here. I don’t think it’s an accident that the poster reminds me of JMW Turner paintings. Twilight mood and period setting really quiet the comic aspects of the play. But the production’s still very beautiful, optimistic, and maybe a little meditative (sleepy, if it’s been a long day). Set design is gorgeous.

What Heflin brings to Olivia makes the show a bit more than yet another Twelfth Night. It made a difference to me that she’s a little older than Olivia and Viola are usually cast. I think this choice subtly shifts focus from Viola and Olivia’s symmetry (dead brothers, newfound autonomy, unrequited love) to their differences (boldness or hesitance to pursue love, choosing glittering femininity or matte androgyny). Without her this would have been a pretty vanilla (or classic, if you like) interpretation of the play. Also, Viola and Sebastian actually look like twins for once.... Read more Read less

See it if You like your Shakespeare comedies, and prefer them fizzy, frothy and light.

Don't see it if You have diabetes, and too much sugar makes you ill. Also, the casting (age) makes this improbable play even more so.

See it if You love Shakespeare or Twelfth Night or you're wondering why this guy is still relevant after 400 years, or you want to support arts in Bk

Don't see it if You don't like Shakespeare plays and find them hard to follow (although I think this one was easier to follow than a lot).

See it if you are willing to settle of ok Shakespeare. It is not badly done but there is no genius in any of the players.There is mirth and cleverness

Don't see it if your standard for Shakespeare has been ruined by the Globe productions. This is very earthbound but decent enough not to embarass

See it if You appreciate well-trained actors delivering their lines flawlessly, if statically.

Don't see it if You want a lot of energy or a new perspective

Also After seeing (and loving) the CSC Twelfth Night earlier this year, it was probably a bad idea to see the show again so soon. Where that show was all joy and energy and improv, this one works valiantly to color within the lines.... Read more Read less

See it if You enjoy spicy, contemporary version of a Shakespearean classic. Comical and wimsy in every way. Appropriately staged in a wonderful theate

Don't see it if You don’t enjoy a Shakespearean play no way no how

See it if you like Twelfth Night in any way, shape or form.

Don't see it if you don't like a slightly slow, experimental upgrade with a strange, frame-like set and prison encasement in which Malvolio is tortured.

Also This production in May 2018 was one of the first Shakespearean plays I'd seen in some time, after several years of care-giving with rare breaks for entertainment and laughter.

So I loved it, even though it had some faults, as well described by Jim Jim Jim in his blow-by-blow May 21, 2018 description of the staging, which he called "uninspired."

He's right, I suppose, but as my first Shakespearean fix in a long long while, it was plenty good enough for me. I'd see it again now, if given the chance, too.... Read more Read less

See it if You want to see a very intelligent, detail-oriented direction, with an interesting take on some key scenes, and keen eye for clever comedy.

Don't see it if You want a comedy that's fast-paced and uproariously funny. This is funny in a kind of smart, subtle way.

See it if you enjoy Twelfth Night and want to see an interesting staging of it.

Don't see it if you aren't a fan of Shakespeare and want to have a period version of this show (not quite sure when it actually takes place)

See it if Shakespeare’s “Twelfth Night” is a play you have read but not seen performed. An exquisite production! Great ensemble! The songs shine.

Don't see it if Not in the mood for Shakespeare’s comedy.

Also The Acting Company shines!! The actors’ play together exquisitely. Too often Malvolio dominates the show but here Feste, Sir Toby, Maria and Sir Andrew are superb. I adored Feste, the fool played by Joshua David Robinson!... Read more Read less

See it if you're not familiar with the play and want to see a production to become familiar with Shakespeare.

Don't see it if It's hard to believe that Twelfth Night could be boring and bland. This production fell flat and felt amateurish.

See it if you love Shakespeare comedies

Don't see it if youre not a huge fan of classical theatre

See it if You love Twelfth Night and want to see a different take on it. Lots of funny moments. Good music.

Don't see it if You don't like Shakespeare's comedies.

See it if You want to be delighted at one of Shakespeare's comedies. This is a very well conceived performance.

Don't see it if You don't enjoy fresh interpretations of Shakespeare's work.

See it if A very interesting staging of a comedy classic. Loved most of the actors.

Don't see it if Tired of Shakespeare comedies!

See it if you want a refreshing take on one of Shakespeare's more popular plays -- with some good physical comedy.

Don't see it if you're tired of Shakespeare, or this particular story.

Also I've seen "Twelfth Night" a lot, and while I feel it is often done, I enjoyed this refreshing take! They had a simplistic set, but used every edge of it -- with cool lighting effects to boot. The costumes and hair were a delight, and they were acting the heck out of their roles. I really enjoyed it!... Read more Read less

See it if You want to see a workmanlike presentation of the script.

Don't see it if You want to be transported. This is not an inspired production.

See it if you love well spoken, well acted Shakespeare. Very strong, very accessible production. Every word and intention was clear. Pretty set too!

Don't see it if you prefer your classics avant garde.

See it if You enjoy 12th nights and want to watch it. Your fave characters are the sir Andrew team.

Don't see it if You have seen a lot of 12th nights. You hate when people do a shakespeare voice. You don’t enjoy shakespeare.

See it if You just love Shakespeare and your expectations are low.

Don't see it if You've never seen or read Twelfth Night.

Also The actors are competent, but weird pacing, low energy, inconsistent characterizations, and a lot of confusing choices muddle one of Shakespeare's best comedies. It was frustrating to see joke after joke fail to land. Fun set, though.... Read more Read less

See it if you like Shakespeare's funnier play with good actors that are relatable. A new theater with a modern look and the acting felt very fresh.

Don't see it if you don't like romantic comedy by Shakespeare done in a refreshing way. A new theater with a modern look to the seating and staging.