Twelfth Night
By Amber Silverman
Publication: Show Business Weekly (Online)

It may seem that an all-female production of Twelfth Night would take Shakespeare’s gender-bending plot a step further, but the single-sex cast actually revives the true (cross-dressing) spirit of the play, which was originally performed by all men. The story of a woman pretending to be a man, who falls in love with her master, is sought after by his beloved, and is later confused for her twin brother — all told in a language more than 400 years old — has plenty of potential for confusion, but this cast, under the direction of Rebecca Patterson, effectively modernizes the comedy in a manner that makes it not only accessible, but highly enjoyable.

Just One Of The Guys: Virginia Baeta puts on a moustache for Cary Urban in Shakespeare's Twelfth Night.

Virginia Baeta leads as Viola/Cesario, and her performance is impressive. She stays true to the character while bringing her/him up-to-date through her movements and inflections. Carey Urban also adds a modern element to her portrayal of Olivia by displaying her love for Cesario in a giddy, schoolgirl fashion. Gisele Richardson is amusing as Sir Toby Belch, stumbling around in a drunken stupor, but it is Aysan Celik who steals the show as Malvolio. She earns every laugh (and there are many) in her hysterical and well-executed portrayal of this pompous and ill-treated character.

Most of the actors must play males, and they do so convincingly. While the moustaches and sideburns drawn on their faces help, their expressions, gestures, and postures (clearly carefully studied and practiced) are what make these incredible transformations believable.

The actors are so effective in making this play accessible to a contemporary audience that the incorporation of modern music seems, at times, unnecessary. While perfectly inserted clips of Amy Winehouse’s “Rehab” and Celine Dion’s “My Heart Will Go On” are very funny, the first two lip-syncing numbers feel out of place. The concept, however, is more than redeemed in the finale, with a hilarious rendition of Cher’s “If I Could Turn Back Time.” The song ties the whole story together and heightens the feel-good ending of this famous comedy.