How to go
What: William Shakespeare’s “Twelfth Night”
Where: State Theatre, 19 S. Fountain Ave., Springfield
When: 8 p.m. April 4-5, 10-12; 3 p.m. Sunday, April 6
Admission: $10 at the door
More info: www.springfieldstageworks.org
Maybe you’ve heard of Shakespeare in the park, but how about Shakespeare in the French Quarter?
Springfield Stageworks is lending the Bard some Creole spice while maintaining the classic verbiage with its production of the comedy “Twelfth Night.”
It will be presented at the State Theatre in Springfield.
Due to the bawdy nature, this version of “Twelfth Night” is recommended for ages 13 and up.
Director Lisa Howard-Welch, who has done numerous productions, said “Twelfth Night” is one of her favorite Shakespeare plays and one of his most accessible.
Rather than setting it in Eastern Europe, where Shakespeare set the story, this version uses post-Hurricane Katrina New Orleans as its setting in a courtyard right before Mardi Gras.
“It’s easy to take it out of period and set it in modern times, but the language is the same,” she said.
“Twelfth Night” is about a woman named Viola who survives a shipwreck, is separated from her twin brother, becomes involved with noblemen and finds herself in a series of mix ups and identity switches, leading to comedic situations.
Howard-Welch said this production will play up “Twelfth Night’s” bawdy nature of the Elizabethan period.
The Hurricane Katrina-era New Orleans setting was inspired by her late mom, Carol Howard. This makes it a memorial for her and opens it up for others.
“Bringing it into the modern day makes is more accessible,” said Howard-Welch. She hopes if people enjoy this they’ll discover other Shakespeare works.
The production will use an abstract set. There are 14 cast members, most from the area and from Dayton and Beavercreek, with three crew members.
“The State is a beautiful old theater, a great setting for a play like this,” said Howard-Welch. “And it’s being presented in Shakespeare’s birth month.”
Refreshments by Un Mundo Café will be available at each performance.
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