New York Review: A Vibrant, Exuberant "TWELFTH NIGHT" at Clocktower Players
Photo: Tim Lamorte
Pia Haas, Contributing Critic - New York
I entered the historic Town Hall Theatre in Irvington, fully anticipating that this show would be great fun, especially with the maestro George Croom at the helm. I’m thrilled to report that the Clocktower Players’ production exceeded all expectations! This completely musical version of Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night, conceived by Kwame Kwei-Armah and Shaina Taub, with Music and lyrics by Shaina Taub, is a festive, celebratory romp!
The inspired casting embraces diversity. A singing, dancing ensemble that spans all ages, ethnicities, and genders makes it a joyful community celebration!
The dynamic, colorful opening number has Feste, the clown (the splendid Violet Tzu-Hsuan Wang), singing the famously oft-quoted verse; “If music be the food of love, play on.” She then continues with: “If you’re feeling blue/Baby, all you gotta do/Is take the song from the top.” Such is what we are treated to in this whimsical musical, a clever blend of Shakespeare’s verse, modern lingo and present-day attitudes.
The complicated plot involves – of course – twins, shipwrecks, women passing as men, unlikely romances – everything we love in a Shakespeare comedy.
The mismatched lovers include the glorious Molly Anne as Viola (or Cesario when dressed as a man), who is in love with Duke Orsino (the terrific Kevin Thompson), who longs for the unrequited love of Countess Olivia (the outstanding Rachel Schulte) who espies Viola looking so fine in her manly drag that she falls for her at first sight.
Complicating matters, Olivia's drunken uncle, Sir Toby Belch (the hilarious Matthew Casey), and his disorderly pal Aguecheek (the terrific Shawn Allen) and sidekick, Fabian (the amusing Christopher Oldi), Olivia's servant Maria (the captivating Arshia Panicker), hatch a delicious plot to humiliate Olivia's snooty steward Malvolio (the fabulous Luis Quintero Jr.). Malvolio’s letter-reading scene becomes an upbeat top-hat-and-cane number in which Malvolio becomes a tap-dancing star complete with the yellow stockings and cross garters! Hilarious!
When Viola's presumably drowned twin, Sebastian (the delightful Cameron Moser), and his pal Antonio (The compelling Leonard J. Moore II) show up, the romantic equations multiply.
Director and Musical Director, George Croom (assisted by William Brosnahan), expertly moves the characters with artistic picture-worthy staging and fast paced timing. The actors find all the laughs as well as the poignant moments, expertly navigating between the vaudeville-style character songs and the soulful ballads.
Joyful Choreography by Jennifer Jonas Cahill included a range of styles from hip-hop to tap dance!
Set Design by Steve Loftus and Lighting by Peter Petrino are gloriously colorful and transport us to a Central park reminiscent of the hippy 60’s. Sound Design by Denis Adan Zepeda, the amazingly eclectic, colorful costuming, and the outstanding 7 piece New Orleans–style band, all add to the magic and exhilaration.
A rousing finale featuring the large ethnically diverse cast invites us to ponder, “If we open our hearts to each other, what a better world it could be.”
Indeed! A great message and a great show!
The Clocktower Players’ next Mainstage Production will be Ronald Dahl’s MATILDA The Musical, running from March 14-22, 2020
Irvington Town Hall Theater is located at: 85 Main Street, Irvington, New York 10533
Box Office: 914.591.6602
EMAIL: boxoffice@irvingtonny.gov
More Info at: www.clocktowerplayers.com