Twelfth Night (The Public Theater)

See it if you want to feel better abt humanity. While TN doesn't closely follow WS, Taub's musical captures its essence. You'll find yourself smiling.

Don't see it if you only like traditional WS...or dislike musicals...or only like professional actors on stage. The aim here is different and it succeeds!

Also Shana Taub is a huge talent. I loved her (and her songs) in Old Hats...and she does a wonderful job with TN. May she have a long and glorious career.... Read more Read less

See it if Great musical reimagining of the classic. Very fun and fast paced. Keeping the best/doing away with the rest.

Don't see it if You want your Bard served classic.

See it if A modern refreshing musical take on Shakespeare. Clever adaptation with great music. Accessible for everyone and 90 min!

Don't see it if You are a purist and don't like different takes on a classic.

See it if You enjoy Shakespeare in The Park. This is a fun show. Lots to look at. (Maybe too much at times.) Original and fresh.

Don't see it if You don’t like Shakespeare. They’ve made it more understandable than it often is but...it’s still Shakespeare.

See it if If you like Shakespeare, this is one of the best shows I have seen. Public did a great job with this one. Great directing Great all around

Don't see it if If you do not like Shakespeare. If you not like shows outside.

See it if you think the Bard needs a composer & lyricist; you'd rather see an original musical based on Twelfth Night and not the actual play itself.

Don't see it if you're a Shakespeare purist [His language is heavily redacted]; you don't like Shaina Taub [This is very much in her voice].

Also Don't see it if... you're in it for the romance [This production weighs far more heavily on the comic aspects].... Read more Read less

See it if you want a fun evening out of doors. The heart of the play is intact while the costumes, music and jokes keep the audience entertained.

Don't see it if you want a traditional rendering of the Bard's work. The huge cast and constant movement can be distracting.

See it if 12th Night has a cast that includes professional actors, amateurs, ASL, and amazing music, that gels into a perfect mirror of NYC culture.

Don't see it if You expect a traditional performance of a Shakespeare play with professional actors. Are not open to diversity or imperfections.

Also The Public Theater’s production of 12th Night is a magical mixture of Shakespeare, and contemporary music.
The details about the composer and director, etc. have been covered in other reviews.
Last night the role of Olivia was performed by Kim Blanck, the understudy. She was flawless. Every cast member is talented, enthusiastic, and the happy vibes reach every seat. I was in Row U all the way on the right side, and had the best time!
There is still time to catch this production. Do not miss it! Fun and a beautiful setting.... Read more Read less

See it if You like well made musicals based off of Shakespeare. Good for people new to the Bard and don't want to decipher his language.

Don't see it if you are a Shakespeare purist and only want his words. You don't like amateur actors mixed with true professionals. You don't want a fun nigh

See it if high energy, colorful, new musical take on 12th Night with lots of community actors & handful of seasoned pros will float your Bardic boat

Don't see it if need your Shakespeare unadulterated, need focus on who's speaking/singing, hate messy, don't know story before hand, dislike outdoor shows

See it if you enjoy musical adaptions of Shakespeare with a jazzy, diverse and gender bending bent. This was fun, catchy and lively, even in the rain.

Don't see it if you don't care to have your Shakespeare tampered with and you don't enjoy musicals.

See it if you want to see a musical adaptation of Shakespeare. It's fun, the songs are catchy, and it's overall very entertaining.

Don't see it if you're looking for a classic production of Twelfth Night or you don't want to sit outside in the August heat.

See it if you need something to put a smile on your face and temporarily restore your faith in humanity.

Don't see it if you're expecting the play Twelfth Night. This is cute, the music is great and it brings our community together as only the Public can.

See it if you would enjoy a streamlined musical version of Twelfth Night scored by Shania Taub (you would).

Don't see it if you’re a Shakespeare purist.

See it if You’d like to see Shakespeare set to music. Great music by Shaina. Good mix of original work with modern touches.

Don't see it if You only like classically stages Shakespeare.

See it if Want the highlights in a feel good group production

Don't see it if Miss the language

See it if You enjoy musical adaptations of Shakespeare.

Don't see it if You are a purist.

Also Before I saw the show, I was wondering how the Public would manage to pull off shortening the play to 90 minute AND adding music. Much to my surprise, they managed to do it! Shaina Taub's tuneful score suited the material perfectly, and the shortened script managed to hit all the high points of the original while keeping the characters intact. The result: A joyful, exuberant show!... Read more Read less

See it if you like Shaina Taub (who doesn't); Shakespeare; or musicals. This is a full-blown, short (90-minute) musical version of Twelfth Night.

Don't see it if you're expecting a straight Shakespeare play or don't like fun reinterpretations.

See it if Shakespeare for the YouTube generation. Good musicality and lovely performance by Taub.

Don't see it if Shakespeare purist. Not all actors on par; diction issues.

See it if You like the rock musical version of Two Gentlemen of Verona. This is closer in feel to a musical based on a Shakespeare work.

Don't see it if You are a Shakespeare originalist. Dislike changes to his works.

Also "Is this not love?" - Feste

It is most definitely love. You can feel the love and community all around you in Illyria from the moment you enter.

Shaina Taub's score is infectious. It's a delightful mix of dixie second line, R&B, gospel, and singer-songwriter. And Is This Not Love is one of the most beautiful songs to ever grace the stage.

The performances are a little mixed. I found in general, the vocal performances outdid the delivery of dialogue. Though Andrew Kober's Malvolio is great all-around.

Jonathan Jordan is quite wooden as Antonio but gives a truly once-in-a-lifetime vocal performance. His voice is sultrier than Marvin Gaye and Otis Redding combined.

The band is on fire. And the orchestrations are top notch. That horn section is no joke. And Shaina herself is a great leader of the festivities as Feste. Her voice is unreal.

Shakespeare originalists might want to shy away (or risk having their minds expanded) as some of even the more well known verse has been cut.... Read more Read less

See it if You want to support the admirable mission of Public Works.

Don't see it if You loved Shaina Taub's "As You Like It" and are expecting a show and cast of similar calibre.

See it if Shaina Taub’s songs & inclusive ensemble cast mixing professionals and a cross section of fellow city residents makes this a winning combo

Don't see it if No reason except if you don’t have time to try to get to see this delightful play with a great message of empathy and gender diaparity

See it if you're up for a light-hearted evening, a hugely diverse cast, lovely original music and voices, and a bit of Shakespeare thrown in.

Don't see it if you need your theater serious or educational. You're outside, there's Shaina Taub, frozen sangria, music, and laughter. Go. Enjoy.

See it if you want to see a new, current musical that is based on the Twelfth Night characters/themes. You are interested in a new interpretation.

Don't see it if You are expecting Twelfth Night - this isn't it - in any sense. However, it is a most enjoyable new musical interpretation of the classic.

Also I found that this interpretation made the underlying themes more understandable and relatable and provided insights I had never considered. BRAVO!... Read more Read less

See it if you enjoy Shakespeare in the Park, and want to see a completely inclusive new musical telling of Twelfth Night.

Don't see it if you do not enjoy your Shakespeare sung, or if the idea of the power of community telling a story is completely lost on you.