AU Theatre’s production of “Twelfth Night” opens at Hugo Young Theatre Nov. 6
10/27/20 ASHLAND, Ohio -- Ashland University Theatre continues its current season exploring the wonder of human connection with William Shakespeare’s classic comedy, Twelfth Night, Or What You Will, which will be performed Nov. 6-8 at the Hugo Young Theatre on the AU campus.
Performances will begin at 7:30 p.m. Nov. 6-7 and at 2 p.m. Nov. 8. Tickets are available -- $2 for AU students and $5 for all other patrons -- only at the Ashland University Campus Store. Face masks must be worn on campus, including in the theater, which will be set up for social distancing. All live performances are dependent on campus and county COVID-19 levels and are subject to change.
Directed by guest artist and Cleveland actor Christine McBurney, this AU production is set in the 1930s and is packed with twists, turns, and unexpected developments that test the strict social boundaries of love, social class, and identity.
The play follows a shipwrecked Viola (Tiffany Sims of Grapevine, Texas), assuming the male identity of Cesario, to become a member of the court of Duke Orsino (Tobin Grendzynski of North Ridgeville). Viola soon finds herself in love with the Duke, who is pining after Countess Olivia (Mia Kardotzke of Green Springs). The love triangle is complete: Viola loves Orsino, Orsino loves Olivia, and Olivia loves Cesario.
Meanwhile, Olivia’s drunkard uncle, Sir Toby (Camden Edwards of Sunbury) is trying to set her up with his friend, Sir Andrew (Simon Myer of Akron). And if that isn’t confusing enough, Olivia’s sneaky head maid Maria (Ivey Buffenmeyer of Ashland) plays a prank on the serious steward of the house, Malvolio (Emily Schordock of Westlake), convincing him that Olivia is in love with him. Amidst the chaos, revelry, and music played by the talented fool Feste (Syd Genter of Mansfield), Viola struggles to find her way through the strict world of the upper class and win over her crush without revealing her identity.
The cast also includes Anthony Marchetta (Brecksville) as Sebastian, Bethany Double (Farmdale) as Antonio, Macy Campbell (Genoa) as Valentine, Eric Breeden (Medina) as Curio, Anthony McFee (Newark) as Fabian, Ciarra McGeorge (Wooster) as First Lady and Servant, and Sarah Graham (Dayton) as the Captain, Officer and Second Lady.
The production staff includes AU Theatre alumni Seth Morrison (’18), scenic and lighting designer; D. Justin Bilewicz (’09), costume designer; Jessica Dupee (’18), stage manager; and current students Lila Wolfe (Mansfield), sound designer; Haley Foss (Mansfield), assistant lighting designer; AnnMarie Hill (Mansfield), assistant stage manager; and Ann Tokelson (Lorain) and Mattie Vermilya (Findlay), prop masters.
For more information, contact Dr. Teresa Durbin-Ames at 419-289-5821 or tdurbin@ashland.edu
Ashland University is a mid-sized, private university conveniently located a short distance from Akron, Cleveland and Columbus, Ohio. Ashland University (www.ashland.edu) values the individual student and offers a unique educational experience that combines the challenge of strong, applied academic programs with a faculty and staff who build nurturing relationships with their students.###