Twelfth Night (Hamlet Isn't Dead)

See it if u want to see a cast of game performers sing, dance & overact their way thru a rollicking, energetic romp in Shakespeare's Illyrian rom-com.

Don't see it if you want to see a romance [The focus here is heavily on the comedy to the detriment of the romance]; you require high production values.

Also Uneven casting, a few misplaced contemporary jokes, and some acoustic issues with performing in a cavernous church mar an otherwise breezy, enjoyable production of one of Shakespeare's most accessible comedies. The play is interspersed with a live band (doing double-duty as actors) playing modern rock/pop music. Arrive early to enjoy the pre-show concert.

The real stars of the show are the members of the comic subplot who conspire to subvert Malvolio. Especially good was Mike Marcou as Sir Toby.... Read more Read less

See it if you’d like to see a clear, stripped down rendering of Shakespeare’s deepest real comedy.

Don't see it if you think the electric guitar has no place in Illyria.

Also “Twelfth Night” is Shakespeare’s greatest true comedy. (I’m assigning the late tragicomedies a genre of their own.) The 3 most moving speeches the Bard ever wrote for comedy are spoken by Viola, the play’s pivotal character; no comic character touches me so deeply as Olivia. Will had already written “Hamlet” when he penned “12th Night” & it’s as if he couldn’t bear to ever be fully frivolous again. So the play does nothing less that plumb the madness of human affection, the awful need we have for each other, the impossibility of our ever being what someone else wants us to be, our utter desperation when the loved one rejects us, our incomparable exaltation when our affections find reciprocation. HID’s virtues as a company are all on display in this clear, stripped-down version that moves fast yet never forgets its duty to engage an audience from start to finish. The music—including versions of 3 of Shakespeare’s greatest songs—rocks the house, except in this case it’s a church.... Read more Read less

See it if You, like me, can't get enough of this show. A fun group of actors do a good job with its quirks.

Don't see it if You don't like Shakespeare or the UWS is too much of a pain to get to.

See it if you'll enjoy a somewhat campy,over the top 12th night w/ a talented young cast. Cast, crew, and audience had a rollicking good time. FUN!!!

Don't see it if you dislike campy Shakespeare.Venue's acoustics lacking.Seating on wooden pews w/cushions;a bit squished in. Costumes were weak; set minimal

Also I thought they went a bit too far now and then, but overall this is one of the most enjoyable Shakespeare productions I've seen.... Read more Read less

See it if You especially love 12th Night (or any WS play) & want to see what a superb small company can do with the poetry, characters & esp. comedy.

Don't see it if You dislike small companies, Shakespeare (is that even possible?), cuts to your WS plays, bare bones sets, rock music, or anything funny.

Also This was my 3rd Twelfth Night in the last 2 years (others: Duende Productions in 4/2019 & TFANA in 2018) & I loved every minute of it. Certainly it was the funniest, as the director & a very talented cast milked every comic line for all it is worth, adding contemporary touches here & there.

Serious speeches are fine, but not the centerpiece here.

The production also features original music for the play’s 3 songs, composed by David Anthony Hentz & James Powers & admirably performed by Maureen Fenninger, a fine vocalist & guitarist who doubles as an extraordinary Feste.

Also featuring especially adept players Stephanie LaVardera (Countess Olivia), Michael Luca (Sebastian), Jordan Waters (Antonio), Cameron Sillinan (Maria), Mike Marcou (Sir Toby Belch) & Rahouk Roy (Sir Andrew Aguecheek).

If Twelfth Night is a favorite of yours (as it is mine) you’ll undoubtedly love this production.

Hamlet is Dead is now on my “must see” list of Shakespearean companies. Fun.... Read more Read less

See it if You want to see an entertaining, updated rock music-based version of this classic. The cast is extremely talented, and the fool is the BEST

Don't see it if You need to see the classic version of Twelfth Night. You don't like Shakespeare.

See it if you want to see a company have fun with the play and enjoy exploration of music in Shakespeare. Have not seen twelfth night recently.

Don't see it if You want homerun performances or strong production values. Mind some minor alterations of the text.

Also This would be a great park play. The performances are very over the top, funny, and competent but don't add depth to the characters. The production is lean but not distracting. Costumes were modern and not really themed. What i really enjoyed though was everyone was having fun with the play and in general having fun on stage, off stage, and in the audience. Its a fun play so a fun production works. Its an enjoyable evening of Shakespeare, nothing more nothing less.... Read more Read less

See it if Would have scored 95 except for terrible theatre acoustics. See it anyway -- that Shakespeare guy could really write!

Don't see it if You don't like happy, fun, playful, bawdy, musical romps.

See it if into an easy-going, well-acted, "let's put on a show" version of a classic, with some live music.

Don't see it if seeking edge, high-art or production values; this is not particularly ambitious as "theater".

See it if You want to have a relaxing and delightful night

Don't see it if You’re a very picky Shakespeare fan

See it if What a delightful ensemble casts, they sing/play instruments/frolic around n recite Shakespeare. A good time had by the audience n the cast.

Don't see it if You are looking for the straight play without the music and high production value, but not in the church/community acting company.

See it if You want to see a Shaksfear show with a different twist combined with live music to go along with it.

Don't see it if If you prefer seeing a more traditional Shaksfear performance.

See it if You would enjoy a very talented cast singing and acting a fun and light-hearted Shakespeare comedy with many delightful musical interludes.

Don't see it if You desire a more polished (I.e. fancier costumes and sets) production.

Also Really a delightful production. By all means go for the pre-show musical performance by these likable and talented actor/musicians.... Read more Read less

See it if you like your Shakespeare like Shakespeare would have liked it. It’s fast, clever, quirky, and full of heart. Great music and lots of fun.

Don't see it if you prefer your Shakespeare dry and untouched. You don’t like to have fun or listen or anything good.

See it if You like Shakespeare, you like music, you like energetic young people putting music to Shakespeare, you like supporting local artists.

Don't see it if You want perfection, you don’t like Shakespeare, you like polished and nuanced performances

See it if You like seeing the Bard performed well in an intimate setting

Don't see it if You don’t want to sit in a church

See it if If you enjoyed sense and sensibility. Its a non conventional show and it is a lot of fun!

Don't see it if If you are not open to an over the top take on Hamlet.

See it if Fabulous music, great performance. Actors truly expressive! Venue seats not comfortable for two+ hrs

Don't see it if Have a hard time following Shakespeare

See it if You like Shakespeare with a twist - live music, big characters, big space, & a whole lot of fun! Very enjoyable evening!

Don't see it if You don’t like Shakespeare, bigger venues, live music incorporated into plays - a good time.

See it if Enthusiastic & Energetic Cast make the show.

Don't see it if Shakespeare requires paying atTEntion to each word to get the subtle humor etc. so don’t go if your mind tends to wander.

See it if A surprisingly well done production, far better than I expected — and the music and the musicians are a great layer to the play.

Don't see it if Well, one should see it. Tickets are affordable and to see live theater and music — it’s a great date night.

Also The wonderful thing about Shakespeare’s plays is that they can be performed in infinite ways — and one never knows where or when the treasure of delight may come. I’ve seen Shakespeare’s plays performed at the Globe that put me to sleep; and I’ve seen Shakespeare performed by 3 grad students playing all the roles in a theater basement that was electrifying and alive. This production of a great Shakespeare play was delightful and clear and heavy on the comedy — with the supporting cast stealing the show. The lead roles could have been stronger - I thought Viola was the weak link — and the ending could have been played for more emotion — but the cast deserved the standing ovation at the end!... Read more Read less

See it if You're looking for a fun escape with excellent live music and a cool venue

Don't see it if You're looking for amazing acting, or if you want a text-forward Shakespeare production

Also It's really hard to hear most of the actors, even when they directly address the audience. For the most part, the cast seemed like they were going through the motions of doing the play, but there were some excellent stand-out performances from Travis Klemm (Malvolio), Mike Marcou (Toby Belch), Stephanie LaVardera (Olivia), and Michael Luca (Sebastian). Particularly impressed with David Anthony Hentz (Valentine), who was always, always engaged - keep an eye on him! The music was wonderful.... Read more Read less

See it if You love music. Come early for the pre-show concert! You like to laugh!

Don't see it if You're a Shakespeare pure-ist and only like it when it's set in Elizabethan times

Also I've seen my fair share of Twelfth Night productions, but I haven't had as much FUN as I have at this one. The mood is set with live music before the show even begins, and then it's clear the whole way through that the actors LOVE what they're doing, so you will too.... Read more Read less

See it if you want to see an awesome rendition of a classic with live music and fantastic acting.

Don't see it if you hate listening to great live music and having a great time.

See it if you'd like to see one of the great comedies, with spare staging and brilliant, energetic performances, and a rocking band to boot.

Don't see it if you are anti-fun, or are sick (because pandemic) or hard of hearing (the venue's acoustics are iffy).

Also If you're like me, you'll see Twelfth Night anywhere, anytime. And if you're like me, this Twelfth Night will stand out above the others. The actors' infectious (oops, unfortunate choice of words right now) joy and comedic harmony have the audience bawling in laughter along with them from start to exeunt omnes. It's a fine ensemble all around; standouts include Mike Marcou, who oozes merry mischief-making in every step and gesture as Sir Toby Belch; Stephanie LaVardera, who beautifully humanizes Olivia in both her hauteur and her lovesickness, quite organically conveying why the Countess is caught up in most of the play's romantic storylines; and Maureen Fenninger and Cameron Silliman, who do impressive double duty as Feste and Maria, respectively, and as complementary lead singers for the versatile band. (Don't miss the pre-show and intermission sets.) The production underplays the darker elements in Malvolio and Antonio's stories, but that's probably for the best in a time of plague!... Read more Read less