onStage Pittsburgh dispatched Sharon Eberson and Jessica Neu to review Marya Sea Kaminski’s final production at the Public. You can read Sharon’s review here.
By JESSICA NEU
Shakespeare’s romantic comedy, Twelfth Night, tells the story of twins Viola (Chelsea Zeno) and Sebastian (Ethan Davis Butler), who are separated in a shipwreck. Viola believes that Sebastian has perished in the wreck. She begins to dress like a man and assumes the name Cesario. However, because Cesario is still Viola, she falls in love with Duke Orsino (Michael Campayno). In a twisted love triangle, Orsino is in love with Countess Olivia (Housso Semon), but Countess Olivia falls in love with Viola, believing that she is a man.
Twelfth Night also boasts a hilarious subplot where several characters conspire to make Olivia’s steward, Malvolio (Connor McCanlus), believe that she is in love with him. This conspirator effort involves Olivia’s spirited uncle, Sir Toby Belch (Garbie Dukes), the dramatic yet endearing squire Sir Andrew (Brenden Peifer), Olivia’s servants Maria (Georgia Taylor) and Fabian (John Ploskina), and Olivia’s witty fool, Feste (Caro Dubberly).
In 2018, Kwame Kwei-Armah and Shaina Taub conceived an updated musical version of this famous Shakespeare comedic play. Named one of the best theatrical productions of 2018 by Time, The Hollywood Reporter, and The Washington Post, this modern adaptation of Twelfth Night breathes new life into the classic romantic comedy, exploring the importance of identity and self-discovery.
Directed by Marya Sea Kaminski and featuring Taub’s original jazz-funk score, Pittsburgh Public Theater’s Twelfth Night highlights the timelessness of Shakespeare while showcasing the best of Pittsburgh theater.
Audiences are first greeted by Sasha Jin Schwartz’s impeccable, vibrant set, which transports us to an inviting, Havana-like outdoor oasis. High energy, community, and reverence punctuate Twelfth Night from the opening scene. Dozens of diverse actors encapsulate the stage for the show’s first number, “Play On” – an ode to the first line in the traditional version of the play, “if music be the food of love, play on.” The ensemble breathes a fiery life into the Public Theater and Shakespeare’s play.
Gustavo Zajac’s precise choreography showcases this fervent ensemble of all ages (the youngest performer appeared to be about three years old, and she did a phenomenal job). Led by music director Tiffany Underwood Holmes, the hidden orchestra plays underneath the stage while effortlessly supporting the ensemble cast throughout the show.
Each actor adorned in a costume (Venise St. Pierre) more colorful than the next had moments to shine and display their talents. The majestic “Tell Her” and “If You Were My Beloved” poignantly established the show’s central themes of unrequited love, self-identity, and self-realization. Campayno, Zeno, and Semon’s voices soared, each with their angst, confusion, and tenacious hope.
In one of the show’s most profound moments, Zeno sings that, when disguised as a male, she feels seen and powerful, but as a female, she feels invisible. She questions if the secret to earning respect “is as simple as putting on pants.” While Viola/Cesario navigates their personal identity throughout the show, this critique of gender ideology and self-realization serves as a critical central metaphor for our current historical moment. Dubberly also provides a standout moment during the ballad, “Is This Not Love?” The song is a tender, earnest examination of the heart’s desires and the question of what defines love.
We must remember, however, that Twelfth Night is a romantic comedy. Despite its vital societal commentary, Twelfth Night is defined by its humor and high-spirited fun. Leading the way are McCanlus, Peifer, and Dukes. As the ensemble “raises a glass to their favorite pain in the a**,” the cast delights with “You’re the Worst.” A number that makes torrents and insults endearing and hysterical. Swaying back and forth with an Irish-pub-like vibe, the ensemble delivers big laughs and even bigger charm. Peifer is a brilliant comedic actor with a flair for drama that would make Shakespeare proud. McCanlus leads his own chorus kick-line, complete with top hats and sparkly vests in a solo number that brings the house down. Semon also delivers a powerful vocal near the end of the show, fearlessly declaring, “I am your woman, I am she!” This declaration of strength, confidence, and identity leads to a stellar conclusion in Twelfth Night.
Overall, the show is a triumph and a true declaration of the beauty in community, diversity, joy, and love. This show will make you smile, laugh, think and feel. In Twelfth Night, music is truly the food of love, and it shall play on.
TICKETS AND DETAILS
The Pittsburgh Public Theater production of the premiere of Public Works’ Twelfth Night is at the O’Reilly Theater downtown through June 29, 2025. Some seats may still be available for the mostly sold-out run.
Visit https://ppt.org/production/94489/public-works-twelfth-night.
Categories: Arts and Ideas, Reviews
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