Twelfth Night (Duende Productions)

See it if you’d like to see a clear, joyous production of Shakespeare’s most psychologically complex romantic comedy.

Don't see it if you don’t want to see any more Shakespeare.

Also Duende is a new theater company. If its 1st production is an accurate foretaste, expect great things. With minimal means in a tiny space, director Amy Hayes has staged the most joyful yet psychologically astute production of Shakespeare’s deepest romantic comedy that I’ve seen in memory—& she takes on the role of Olivia, making her the complex, vulnerable, mature woman that the script hints at but is far too rarely realized on stage. Kaileela Hobby’s lovesick, swaggering, boyish Viola is just as fully realized. Richard Busser succeeds in making us care for the often insufferable Orsino. Jim Ireland’s Malvolio is ridiculous & heart-rending at once. The jaunty music for the often doleful songs is composed by Olivia Vessel & sung by her as the Fool. Her colleagues in the comic underplot, Maria, Toby & Andrew, are delightful even when mean. Welcome to NYC Duende!... Read more Read less

See it if you'd like a very different production of this Shakespeare play. It has unique music, an energized cast and all white staging and costumes.

Don't see it if you cannot sit for two hours on a folding chair without an intermission or if you want your Shakespeare to be traditionally presented.

See it if you relish Shakespearean comedy performed expertly in an intimate, informal, in-the-round theatre with modern costumes/gestures, minimal set

Don't see it if you demand Alde English accents, traditional costumes, Elizabethan era music in Shakespearean play performances, or can’t sit 2hrs hard seat

Also This team of Equity actors is uniformly excellent in skill, energy, enthusiasm, and clarity of diction. Even if you do not know this popular Shakespearean comedy well, the affect and actions of the actors make clear the meaning. Perhaps reality suspension would be aided by twin brother and sister who looked more alike and the actor of Olivia being closer in age to that of the Duke
and the twins, but these casting changes are not essential to the quality of the overall performance.... Read more Read less

See it if If you like low key Shakespeare that’s forces actors to use the language well. The tone, acting, and lightning were especially good. So fun.

Don't see it if If you insist on fancy production values. This is a rehearsal hall. If you don’t like shows where they sit with you or break the 4th wall.

Also It’s up several flights of stairs. Check in advance for how to use the elevator if you need it. I think there’s a way. The audience was tiny the day I saw it and it mattered not at all. I laughed more at this comedy than I had in a while with Shakespeare.... Read more Read less

See it if you want an entertaining concise presentation of this timeless comedy

Don't see it if you are looking for a traditional approach to Shakespeare

See it if you like a high caliber setting with no stage, no set & basic costuming. Actors occasionally interact w/ audience in very fine work overall

Don't see it if you dislike small theaters, where actors smile when you laugh or sit next to you, and you can't stand a little ham in the mix.

Also Small off-off Broadway productions of Shakespeare can be quite fine. I've seen several in the last year, and the acting quality is usually amazing, also usually (but not always) from members of the Actors Equity.

I'll surely come again to this newly launched theater, which has worked wonders with Twelfth Night.

Especially noteworthy here were the actors who played Viola (Kaileea Hobby) and Duke Orsino (Richard Busser). Seth Rue doubled convincingly as both Sir Toby Belch and Sebastian, wildly different as they are.

And Jim Ireland's Malvolio and Sea Captain were also pretty good.

(Far superior quality to the Measure for Measure now at Seeing Place Theater, which I cannot recommend at all.)

Stay away if you can't climb and descend three flights of stairs. There's no elevator here. And the seats are basically folding chairs on stacked platforms. Otherwise, definitely worth the time, trouble and admission price.... Read more Read less

See it if Crisp, fast-paced, intelligent, well-directed, funny. Moves well. A worthy performance.

Don't see it if Somewhat mismatched styles, with acting that ranges from the near "Elizabethan" to the near "hip hop."

See it if You wanna see an amazing cadre of actors do the a coherent and emotionally resonating Twelfth Night

Don't see it if You like big productions

See it if you enjoy a lively and creative production of Shakespeare with great acting by a company who seemed to really enjoy the play.

Don't see it if you expect elaborate sets or would feel uncomfortable in a small space with some eye contact and interaction with the actors.

Also This company reminds me somewhat of Fiasco Theater - in a very positive way.... Read more Read less

See it if You like just really really really good Shakespeare that’s about the characters and the text

Don't see it if You think Shakespeare needs a lot of bells and whistles and extraneous stuff

Also Worth noting that this simple, elegant, incredibly heartfelt production was way better Shakespeare than most broadway or off broadway high budget stuff. Just lovely and so so good. 100% worth your time.... Read more Read less

See it if If like brilliant laugh out loud hilarious productions with a terrific cast

Don't see it if You don't want to Laugh Your Butt Off and be intellectually stimulated at the same time

See it if You like to see Indie Theater at its best

Don't see it if you dont like shows directly in your face with very limited production values

Also This intensely clever production is a great first effort from Duende. The actors take us along for the ride, with exact knowledge of what they are saying and why. The cast is slightly uneven as one would expect, but they are all working together in a tribute to director and actor Amy Hayes, who also shines as Olivia.
If one must quibble the comedic subplot is not as strong as the main storyline. The actors, who all pull double duty, are sometimes difficult to understand in these sections and are perhaps trying a bit too hard to be funny in a way that occasionally feels jarring.
Overall well worth watching and highly recommended!... Read more Read less

See it if You enjoy a modern twist on Shakespeare; you like the comedies; you enjoy music and singing; you love Shakespearean English rendered aloud.

Don't see it if You want your Shakespeare exactly as Queen Elizabeth saw it; you are not fond of bawdy jokes, singing, or stories of romantic conflicts.