T h e i l l y r i a n p l a y e r s p r o u d l y p r e s e n t . . .
TWELFTH NIGHT or WHAT YOU WILL By William Shakespeare
A THEATRICAL EXPLORATION OF LOVE, SEX & GENDER-IDENTITY
Adapted & Directed by: Carly DeNevi Weckstein
MAY 2011 The production was funny, of course, but also profoundly moving and genuinely, refreshingly new in vision. ...I felt Ms. Weckstein’s gender-bending casting brought new dimension to the text and, perhaps, more clearly illuminated what may have been Shakespeare’s original intention: to expose sexual role-playing in our daily lives. She had a clear vision for the play and made bold, fearless choices to bring that vision to life. I am looking forward to following Ms. Weckstein’s career. I expect great things." - Sheri Lee Miller, Bay Area Director/Actress/Theatre Educator
STARRING
Megan Pfefferkorn...........................Viola (alias Cesario) Kelsey Ritter....................................................Sebastian Marc Maynon..........................................................Feste Ivy Rose Miller........................................................Olivia Michelle Stan...............................................Duke Orsino Lindsay LaVanchy..............................................Malvolio Alison Elliott.............................................Sir Toby Belch Peggy Sinnot..............................Sir Andrew Aguecheek Keely Stinner.........................................................Maria Danielle Barnes.................................................Antonio Mary Neely...................................Fabian, Sea Captain Annie Fox ................................................Curio, Officer Emilio Ortega Aldrich................................Sister Topas
Stage Manager -- Janet Leon Dramaturgy -- Emilio Ortega Aldrich Original Music -- Marc Maynon & Megan Pfefferkorn
Lighting Design -- Michelle Stann Costumes & Props -- Carly DeNevi Weckstein Sound Design --Michelle Stann Music Selection -- Carly D. Weckstein Make up & Hair -- Lindsay, Michelle, Janet, Carly and the cast
PRODUCTION STILLS BY RAYMOND LIU
"After 40+ years in theater, it takes a lot to get me excited. For me, I know a play is special when I find myself thinking, “Ah, yes...this is why I made this my life. This is what theater can be!” I began to have this feeling about 15 minutes into Carly Weckstein’s truly memorable production of Twelfth Night at Illyrian Players. I found myself sitting up, listening carefully, for although I knew the text thoroughly, I felt I was hearing it for the first time. The production was funny, of course, but also profoundly moving and genuinely, refreshingly new in vision. Now, let me say I don’t like gimmicky theater. I don’t like productions that mess with time, sex, place, etc. unless there is a real reason to do so. In the case of this Twelfth Night, I felt Ms. Weckstein’s gender-bending casting brought new dimension to the text and, perhaps, more clearly illuminated what may have been Shakespeare’s original intention: to expose sexual role-playing in our daily lives. She had a clear vision for the play and made bold, fearless choices to bring that vision to life. I am looking forward to following Ms. Weckstein’s career. I expect great things." - Sheri Lee Miller, Bay Area Director/Actress/Theatre Educator