By Chuck Graham, TucsonStage.com
Being the frothiest of Shakespeare's comedies, “Twelfth Night” comes springing onstage with all the ready-to-have-fun love of an eagerly affectionate Golden Retriever – larger than life in every respect.
Directed by Cynthia Meier and playing at the Rogue Theatre through Nov. 21, this centuries-old favorite brings sweet release as a true group effort. Without any star turn roles among them, the industrious cast creates twin poles of intensity: the love stories of Duke Orsino (Aaron Shand) and Olivia (Carley Elizabeth Preston) – but not to each other – and the roguish comedy of three inebriated amigos, Sir Andrew Aguecheek (John Keeney), Sir Toby Belch (Michael Levin) and Fabian (Christopher Younggren).
Twins also play a key role in this double-entendre stuffed Game of Hearts. Opening on a dark and stormy night at sea, twin siblings Viola (Bryn Booth) and Sebastian (Hunter Hnat) are separated in the confusion of the storm.
Viola finds herself cast ashore without the protection of her brother, and so dons her brother's clothes, figuring it is safer to be seen as a man. Sebastian is presumed lost at sea (which of course he is not, otherwise there would not be a happy ending).
Quite likely it will be the well-oiled antics of the drunk lords that audiences remember most. Keeney throws himself into his role as the restless Aguecheek, always ranting about something. Meanwhile, Sir Toby shamelessly loves his mug of brew.
Striding the line like a tightrope walker between these two poles of true love and sudsy ridiculousness is colorfully dressed Feste (Tyler Page) the court's jester. More understated in his body language, Page portrays Feste as wise rather than cynical, using his wits to stay one jump ahead of the disarray swirling around him.
Caught in the undertow with his own subplot is Malvolio (Joseph McGrath), completely taken by his affection for Olivia, who is not the least sympathetic to his romantic intentions. McGrath portrays Malvolio's frustrations so sympathetically we almost feel sorry for him.
At the same time, Olivia finds herself smitten by the male guise that Viola presents. The dialogue between these two is filled with colorfully subtle expressions of sexual intensity. When Sebastian first appears some time later, new love arrives with new possibilities.
“Twelfth Night” is also filled with period music, to which Music Director Russell Ronnebaum has added some of his own compositions showcasing distinct harmonies of the 16th century.
As is the Rogue custom, the final 15 minutes before every performance features a brief program of appropriate song. For this production, it is worth arriving early to let these selections put you in a Renaissance state of mind. The musicians are Janine Piek, violin, Daniel Becker, clarinet, and Ronnebaum, piano.
Performances run through Nov. 21 on Thursdays-Saturdays at 7:30 p.m., Sundays at 2 p.m., in the Rogue Theatre of the Historic Y, 300 E. University Blvd., with free off-street parking. Tickets are $42 general admission, $15 student rush. Streaming video of the performance will be available Nov. 23-Dec. 12.
Actors are vaccinated and will not be masked. The Rogue's COVID protocol requires each audience member to show proof of vaccination and remain masked in the auditorium.
Refreshments are available to be enjoyed in the courtyard and in the lobby only. For complete details, visit www.theroguetheatre.org or telephone 520-551-2053.
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