The cast of the Fredonia Department of Theatre and Dance production of Shakespeare’s “Twelfth Night” includes (from left) Harlequinn Selegean as Malvolio, Nyles Emile as Orsino, Aidan Heaney as Olivia and Amelia Elmen as Viola.
One of William Shakespeare’s most beloved works will be the next offering in the Walter Gloor Mainstage Series.
The Department of Theatre and Dance will present six performances of “Twelfth Night” from March 28 to April 5 in the Robert W. Marvel Theatre of Rockefeller Arts Center.
Tickets are available online 24/7. They may also be purchased on Monday, Wednesday or Friday by phone at (716) 673-3501 or in person from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m. at the Fredonia Ticket Office in the Williams Center.
Performance dates and times are Friday, March 28 and Saturday, March 29, at 7:30 p.m.; Sunday, March 30, at 2 p.m.; and Thursday, April 3 through Saturday, April 5, at 7:30 p.m.
Directing is SUNY Distinguished Teaching Professor Paul W. Mockovak, and more than 60 students are involved in the production.
“One of Shakespeare's most beloved plays, ‘Twelfth Night’ is a masterful blend of comedy and romance,” Professor Mockovak said. “There some deeply human themes of love (both romantic and unrequited), identity, and wisdom versus foolishness.”
The director said Shakespeare’s “brilliant wordplay and imagery” that creates comedy with depth has made “Twelfth Night” an enduring work.
Written in late 1601 or early 1602, the play centers on shipwrecked twins Viola and Sebastian who find themselves entangled in a web of romantic intrigue. Through witty dialogue and vibrant characters, the play explores themes of disguise, gender roles, and the pursuit of love’s true essence.
“Our characters are memorable within a wide variety of types - strong intelligent resourceful characters next to those full of lively mischief and the tragic downfall of a comedic anti-hero,” Mockovak said. “We have a fantastic cast of 16 with understudies.”
The Mainstage production will include several songs in the text with original music by Dr. Rob Deemer, who is a professor of Composition and head of the Department of Theatre and Dance.
“We have interpolated two of Shakespeare's sonnets to amplify some of the themes and set them to music as well,” Mockovak said.
The director said the student designers and crews have helped create “a beautiful and elegant set utilizing levels and projections to support our imagining of Illyria - where the play takes place.”
Helping to pull everything together is an “amazing stage management team.” Mockovak said the plan is to create a memorable experience for audiences.
“Our goal is to provide entertainment with this production,” he said. “If the themes resonate more with others that is great. But let’s escape to Illyria and enjoy the story.”
“Twelfth Night” is presented as part of the 2024-25 Lake Shore Savings Season.
