Twelfth Night (The Public Theater)

See it if you love re-imaginations of Shakespeare, colorful production pieces, and delightful music.

Don't see it if you prefer Shakespeare pieces in traditional form or sitting outside during New York summertime.

See it if You want to be totally entertained, see a unique interpretation of Shakespeare, and want to tap your toes to great music.

Don't see it if You don't want to see Shakespeare or have a good time.

See it if you like watching mobs of cheerful amateur actors mill about the stage while the leads try to make sense of poor Will's plot.

Don't see it if you'd like to enjoy q show for its story and craft, not just watch stunts and tricks.

See it if You want to have a lot of fun seeing a beautiful musical with a deep meaning.

Don't see it if You are a purist Shakespeare-language-only person.

Also Get there early for the pre-show.

See it if joyous & high-spirited; well-crafted Motown/other songs w lyrics that cleverly show gender ambiguity & underscore male privilege

Don't see it if this version played as theatrical carnival misses some of Shake's brilliant language & play's sense of loss/displacement

Also COMMUNITY PARTICIPATION: Pro actors on stage are joined by scores of amateurs age 10 and up from various community groups. This makes this Twelfth a "NYC show," but also results in production numbers being a little ragged. SHAINA TAUB: This show is a NYC coming out party for multi-talented 29-year-old Shaina Taub, who plays a central role/Festa the fool, wrote the songs and lyrics, plays in the band and serves as the musical director. She is a major talent, who should be a major player on/off Broadway for years to come.... Read more Read less

See it if You want not serious Shakespeare with good music

Don't see it if You want serious Shakespeare

See it if Hummable score, festive & neighborly spirit, excellent Malvolio! Must see if you like innovative & well done mission-oriented theater.

Don't see it if prefer more ambiguous interpretations or lyrics that don’t spell out themes; you strongly feel spear carrier #5 is a role for a pro actor.

Also How it generally works: the principals are pros, but roles referencing a specialized skill are filled by local NYers who know the skills in real life. Exciting bc Illyria has citizens of all kinds: priests, guards, musicians, attendants, duelists... Total effect is like a Richard Scarry book teeming w/ a busy & diverse population. Clever way to involve more ppl of varying stage experience & keep production quality high.

Kwei-Armah’s 2016 version of this show is one of the best TNs I’ve seen. Eustis’ version is altered for a longer run. Somewhat less boisterous but same score, new set/staging, some recasting. I really miss some of the 2016 cameos but the community partners seem more integrated throughout the play this time. Fun music/lyrics—was impressed by Viola’s rationale summed up in a few bars.

The community engagement aspect probably stops many ppl in their tracks. Their loss. You’d be hard pressed to find another mega-talented community outside NYC that could pull this off.... Read more Read less

See it if Woman goes in drag to get closer to her love and likes the male privilege. Super happy ending. Some songs could easily be radio hits.

Don't see it if Musicals / light comedy aren't your thing. Diverse community members (non professional actors) in the ensemble and sign language annoy you.

Also Free ticket from online lottery on TodayTix.

See it if You like the idea of Shakespeare and modern theater commingling. You are intimidated by Shakespeare and want something fun and accessible.

Don't see it if You're a purist.

See it if you think you don't like Shakespeare. This might change your mind. It's free & 90 min. No reason not to see it. You'll smile throughout.

Don't see it if you're a Shakespeare purist. But get over it and see this anyway.

Also I saw this as part of Public Works a few years ago and am so glad they brought it back. Shaina Taub did a fabulous job with the music and the entire cast shines. Right now the cancellation line is manageable so go before it becomes too hard to get a ticket.... Read more Read less

See it if you can. I mean, tickets are free. It was a good time.

Don't see it if I don't have an answer for this. I guess you shouldn't feel super bad if you don't get there, but again, it's free.

Also The night I saw it it rained. I mean, it poured. They were far enough in that they didn't cancel. And, even wet and cold, I had a good time.... Read more Read less

See it if you love Shakespeare in the Park & Public Work's cast of dozens-all ages, all abilities-musical revival/expansion of Willie's greatest hits

Don't see it if you take your Shakespeare straight with no sugar

Also Get there early for the pre-show activities

See it if You know the story - or read up on it beforehand. I don't think you'd get the full picture from this production. But you'd have fun anyway.

Don't see it if You don't like musicals. This is a musical. Strictly a musical. A very good musical. But there's barely a word of the original in it.

Also For some reason the actors played to center stage and stage right almost exclusively. I felt very neglected sitting on the "wrong" side of the theater.... Read more Read less

See it if you’d like to support the communities involved in the ensemble (though a monetary donation is probably a better idea).

Don't see it if you’re expecting to see an entertaining, cohesive production.

Also Taub’s music, aside from two songs, unnecessarily dominates the evening and sounds like a collection of Playhouse Disney boardroom rejects.

Maybe 10% of the actual text is used. The rest is music that completely truncates the story and halts any sense of dramatic tension. The community ensemble are committed and noble in their performances, but they are not even slightly directed. No attempt was made to create enticing stage pictures. Principle characters were washed out in the sloppy staging. This was ultimately a collection of songs based on the themes of Twelfth Night sprinkled with occasional semi-dramatic readings of Shakespeare’s text.... Read more Read less

See it if you can enjoy a lighthearted musical version of the play, with imaginative casting, enthusiastic energy from all, and set absolutely nowhere

Don't see it if you don't like updated Shakespeare or musical versions of Shakespeare.

Also The night I went, it rained for the entire performance. Not only did they do the entire show in the rain, but they never indicated in any way that they were doing something remarkable! Bravo!... Read more Read less

See it if you've wanted an entry point to Shakespeare or just love Shakespeare & seeing new adaptations! It's fun, warm, & perfectly executed!

Don't see it if you're a stickler for the original text. The music brought depth & joy to the production & was likely a big asset in modernizing the story.

See it if Blending Shakespeare with original music has been a hit/miss endeavour in years past, but this version is more hit than miss. Bway vets help

Don't see it if IF U like your Shakespeare PURE then this may not be 1 for you. But if U are willing to listen to the Bard's words musicalized then play on!

Also Some sample song excerpts:
Viola: "The Man I got to be" (becomes Cesario)
Feste (to Sir Tony Belch): "You're My Favorite ... Pain in the Ass" -repeated with other characters.
Viola solo: "Disguise" (playing both sides as a woman in love inside & man desired by Olivia on the outside)
The majority of the songs are tied in with the plot and performed by Tony winners Shuler Hensley (OKLAHOMA), Nikki M. James (BOOK OF MORMON) and others. Andrew W. Kober is a funny MALVOLIO with a song that becomes a running gag. Keep mind open, expectations low, & drink a-plenty in honor of Sir Toby and you will enjoy a-plenty!!... Read more Read less

See it if you're looking for a light breezy summer entertainment. Like short shows. Like fun music and lyrics.

Don't see it if Are a Shakespeare purest. This ain't it. Cut and chopped to about 90 minutes and not all that is Mr. Shakespeare.

See it if you delight in the communal aspects of Shakespeare in the Park. (Plus the actors who play Viola, Orsino, and Antonio are all swoon-worthy.)

Don't see it if you're going to get all pissy about hokey-pokey choreography set on an amateur chorus or don't like abridged versions of the verse.

See it if you want to see a short, clear, fun version of Twelfth Night with a very large ensemble - I Love Shaina Taub

Don't see it if a lack of sexuality arc in Orsino makes you sad, or if you're looking for something without music

See it if you want an evening of fun, accessible, musical "Shakespeare" that's easy enough for anyone to enjoy.

Don't see it if you're a Shakespeare purist. High art this is not.

Also What a fun show! This production retains the spirit of the Public Works original, with a community feel that starts from the pre-show, when the audience is invited onstage to mingle with the actors and enjoy an Illyrian fair.

Shaina Taub's modern music replaces most of the original Shakespearean text, so this show feels essentially like a lighthearted Broadway musical. The music is catchy and much of it is clever, though some of the songs emphasize themes a bit more ham-handedly than necessary.

Random notes:
-I enjoyed the nuance with which the production handled Malvolio's subplot, and Andrew Kober was very funny in the role.
-The sign language aspects were fascinating to watch (particularly JW Guido in a featured signing role)

Also: the line in the park this morning was very short, and even walkups at noon received tickets. Go see it before the reviews come out and tickets become harder to get!... Read more Read less

See it if You want to have a great NY Delacorte fun time! A celebration of love and life and art during some very dark days.

Don't see it if You like your Shakespeare traditional. This is so not that.

See it if you enjoy Shakespeare or are looking for something classic but refreshing or if you just want to have a nice night out in the park.

Don't see it if you only enjoy Shakespeare in its original form and are opposed to a musical adaptation.

See it if you want to experience a joyous, heart affirming musical; brilliantly written, staged and performed. One for the whole family!

Don't see it if you were hoping for Shakespeare's Twelfth Night. The sharp editing basically turns this into story highlights.

See it if You want to see a colourful version of this Shakespearian classic that has great music and is family friendly.

Don't see it if you don't like classics that are not traditional and take artistic licence to create theatre that is contemporary and audience friendly.