DUBOIS –The story of unrequited love, melancholic love, and love at first sight is told through a master storyteller, William Shakespeare. Many scholars consider “Twelfth Night or What You Will” as his finest romantic comedy.
The Reitz Theater Players, under the direction of Mary Beth Geppert, who holds a Masters of Fine Arts in Shakespeare and Performance, will share Shakespeare’s story with the DuBois area on Feb. 12, 13, 18, 19, and 20 at 7:30 p.m. and Feb. 14 at 2 p.m.
Free pre-show and post-show talks with purchase of ticket:
- “Unrequited Love” — pre-show talk with the director on Fridays Feb. 12 and 19 from 5:30 p.m. – 6 p.m.
- “The Actors’ Process” — post-show talkbacks with the actors on Sunday, Feb. 14 and Friday, Feb. 19
Shakespeare’s “Twelfth Night,” also known as “What You Will,” is a comedy that centers on mistaken identities, shipwrecks, sword fights, and word play. It gives so many actors the chance to shine.
The star role varies between Sir Toby Belch (Deb Grieve), Viola/Cesario (Kris Haenes), Malvolio (Brian Hand), Olivia (Jessica Bruce) and the clown, Feste (Mary Beth Geppert) with Maria (Lisa Rutherford) as the co-protagonist.
Additional Reitz Theatre Players include: Jacob Wareham, Ashley Simpson-Neiger, Curt London, Alyssa Wood, Jennifer Gonsalves, Dakota Rankus, Valerie Kucenski, Bob Spence and Alex Belser.
What was it like when theater was played with the house lights on? It was fun for the audience and good for the show. The Reitz production aims to recapture something of the openness and fluidity of the Elizabethan performance, including universal lighting (audience and actors share the same pool of light) and audience interaction (characters address the audience directly).
The audience will not be held hostage in the dark; they will instead come to be captivated residents of Shakespeare’s island of Illyria.
The Reitz coast of Illyria is a fusion of the basic principles of Renaissance theatrical production with a 21st Century twist. The fusion twist comes into play with 21st Century lighting effects by lighting designer James Neiger, a surrealist set design by Geppert and Brian Shaffer and costumes designed by Lisa Rutherford and Geppert unite Elizabethan Era with a 21st Century flair. Familiar music will encourage the audience members to sing a long.
Tickets are available online at www.reitztheater.com or by calling 814-375-4274 or stop by Kohollhep’s True Value. Tickets are $10, Student/Senior $8, Children $5 and Kids on laps for free.