Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night, directed by University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa’s professor of theatre Paul T. Mitri will be performed at the Campus Center Ballroom, January 27–February 4.
Twelfth Night is perhaps one of Shakespeare’s most well-known comedies, using mistaken identities, trickery and romantic mis-encounters to captivate audiences for more than 400 years. Set in Illyria, a semi-fictional city, the story of Twelfth Night follows Viola (Anna Hamaguchi), a shipwrecked woman of noble heritage. Believing her twin brother Sebastian (Dylan Lee) to be dead, she dresses as him to blend into this strange country’s society in order to safely get her bearings. A youth with wit and cunning, she finds favor and work with the Duke, Orsino (KoDee Martin) who pines for a fellow noble, Olivia (Emily M. Hoadley). Against all odds Viola, in disguise, is sent to woo Olivia on behalf of Duke Orsino and ends up getting caught in a love triangle that will test her will, wit and luck if she’s to escape it unscathed.
Many directors revisit plays, hoping to see them from a new angle. This is true with Mitri, who will be directing Twelfth Night for the fourth time in his career. “I love the piece and I feel that it’s perfect for this period in time. Right now, we need a comedy.” The production promises to deliver beyond that.
The piece will be set in a Strictly Ballroom setting and Mitri hopes the audience feels that they’ve entered a Fred Astaire movie when they enter the performance space. “I love it when theatre can combine drama, music and dance and this piece, more than any other Shakespeare play, has all three.” Mitri muses.
Performance information
Dates
- Evenings: January 27, 28 and February 3, 4 at 7 p.m.
- Matinees: January 28 and February 4 at 2 p.m.
Tickets
- $25 Regular
- $22 Seniors, Military, UH Faculty/Staff
- $20 UHAA Members
- $15 Students
- $8 UH Mānoa Students with valid ID
Regularly priced tickets are on sale online at etickethawaii.com, by phone at (808) 944-2697, at Campus Center, at Stan Sheriff Box Office, and at the Kennedy Theatre Box Office (during open hours).
