Possum Point Players to Present TWELFTH NIGHT, 10/17-19

It's time to brush up your Shakespeare, only this time visualize turn of the 20th Century Coney Island rather than the Old Globe. Possum Point Players' New Faces of Shakespeare present "Twelfth Night" Friday, Oct. 17, 7:30 pm, Saturday, Oct. 18, 2 pm and 7:30 pm, and Sunday, Oct. 19, 2 pm.

New Faces of Shakespeare, a Possums affiliate, ask their audience to imagine what happens when a ship wrecks off Coney Island, New York, at the turn of the 20th Century. Twins, Viola and Sebastian, are saved, unbeknown to each other. The lady, Viola, fears this imposing new place, and seeks safety by disguising herself as a man. Thus "manned up" as Cesario, Viola seeks a job with the Coney Island mayor, Mr. Tilyou. As not uncommon in political circles of any era, Tilyou, is incapacitated by love sickness for the conveniently rich Countess Olivia. However, Olivia is mourning the obligatory seven years for the death of both her father and her brother. The distraught, if not too perceptive, Tilyou, decides to send his new employee Cesario (whom the clever audience knows is actually Viola) to court the resistant Olivia.

Illustrating Shakespearian irony that must occur, regardless of the geographic location, Olivia throws off her sack cloth and ashes and becomes immediately smitten by his "manly" messenger. She actively attempts to charm him into a relationship.

When Viola's lost twin brother Sebastian appears, there is much Shakespearian confusion and craziness with mistaken identities. Again, as only the Bard can, he has the plot taking many turns as it rolls along to resolution.

Meanwhile, Olivia houses her uncle Sir Toby Belch, who, of course, loves his niece's witty chambermaid, Maria. Also, under Olivia's roof, there is a servant, Fabian, a court jester, Feste, and her major domo, Malvolio. Stopping by for the sake of a Shakespearean Coney Island comedy, is a wealthy old crony of Toby's from the South, Sir Andrew Aguecheek. Toby, Maria, Fabian, and the Fool have a great time playing practical jokes on the uptight, puritanical Malvolio, and bilking Sir Andrew out of his money. The two plots intertwine in brilliant Shakespearean fashion to a mostly happy ending, set in the "Electric Eden" of Victorian Coney Island.

"Twelfth Night" is directed by Michael Murnin who most recently directed the Possums' summer comedy, "See How They Run." All tickets are $10 general admission and may be purchased on-line at www.possumpointplayers.org, by calling the Possums' ticket line, 302-856-4560, or at the door.

Possum Point Players is supported, in part, by grants from the Delaware Division of the Arts, a state agency dedicated to nurturing and supporting the arts in Delaware, in partnership with the National Endowment for the Arts.

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