Antwon Mason and Mary Leeholland (Photo by Zak Shelby-Szyszko, courtesy of Actors Co-op)
Reviewed by Madison Mellon
Actors Co-op Theatre Company
Thru May 12
RECOMMENDED
Playful, escapist entertainment abounds at The Actors Co-op’s production of Twelfth Night. It is a delightfully bubbly production, buoyed by an enthusiastic cast and fast-paced comedic antics. While there is not a great deal of profundity lurking under this show’s vibrant colors and tropical island aesthetic, there is more than enough music, joy, and energy to keep it afloat.
The story follows Viola (Mary Leeholland), a quick-witted young woman who finds herself shipwrecked on the South Pacific coast of Illyria. Searching for her twin brother Sebastian (Freedom), whom she fears was lost at sea, Viola disguises herself as a eunuch and becomes a page boy to the charismatic Duke Orsino (Antwon Mason Jr.). In doing so, she finds herself stuck in the middle of a love triangle, and a farce of mistaken identities ensues.
Under the direction of Michael T. Kachingwe, the production is fast-paced and bright. The frequent inclusion of both live and pre-recorded music (composing and sound design by Thulani Kachingwe) also adds to the whimsical atmosphere of the piece. Hanalei Vasquez’s scenic design transports the audience to a kitschy, tropical island resort. The design is carefully detailed, full of colorful knickknacks. Characters drink from tiki mugs with paper umbrellas, and Hawaiian print and silk shirts are abundant (costumes designed by Kelly Tsan). This all creates a cohesive, vibrant show, although it does occasionally feel superficial. Twelfth Night is not without more serious moments, and this production would have benefited from occasionally slowing down to allow more glimpses of sincerity to shine through.
The entire cast is consistently engaging and keeps the proceedings moving along briskly. The stage particularly lights up when the comedic trio of Feste (Chloe Babbes), Sir Toby (Isaac. W. Jay), and Sir Andrew (Howard Leder) are present. Their drunken clowning got a riotous reaction from the audience, and they played off of each other excellently. William Viriato’s pompous Malvolio is also pitch-perfect as he parades around in ridiculous yellow stockings and cross garters. Overall, the cast elevates the piece with its youthful, vital enthusiasm.
Much like the island paradise where it takes place, this rendition of Twelfth Night exudes a light and breezy charm. The cast and crew effectively transport the audiences to a realm of pure entertainment, brimming with laughter and music. While the production does not necessarily mine the depths of the play’s themes or characters, it is infectiously fun, and the spirited performances make it a delightful theatrical escapade.
David Schall Theatre, 1760 N Gower Street, Hollywood. Fri.-Sat., 7:30 pm, Sun., 2:30 pm; Sat. matinee May 4,2:30 pm. www.actorsco-op.org, Running time 2 hours with a 10-minute intermission
