PHOTO FLASH: The Public Works' TWELFTH NIGHT Boasts Over 200 Cast Members

Public Works, The Public Theater's local and national initiative that invites diverse communities across New York to join in creating ambitious works of theater, celebrates its fourth year with a new musical adaptation of Shakespeare's TWELFTH NIGHT. Professional artists and community members from partner organizations in all five boroughs perform together on stage in this love story that follows the young heroine Viola, who disguises herself as a man when she washes up on the shores of Illyria. When Viola's new boss, Duke Orsino, sends her to win over his unrequited love, the Countess Olivia, Viola's disguise proves too effective, and the Countess falls for the young girl dressed as a boy instead.

Conceived by Kwame Kwei-Armah and Shaina Taub, with music and lyrics by Shaina Taub, and directed by Kwame Kwei-Armah, the Public Works production of TWELFTH NIGHT will run for four performances only, September 2-5. Participating New York-based cameo groups include COBU, Harlem Dance Club, Jambalaya Brass Band, The Love Show, New York Deaf Theatre, Ziranmen Kungfu Wushu Training Center, and one United States Postal Carrier.

The equity cast members in TWELFTH NIGHT include Nikki M. James (Viola), Andrew Kober (Malvolio), Jose Llana (Orsino), Jacob Ming-Trent (Sir Toby Belch), and Shaina Taub (Feste).

One of the features that makes Public Works Productions so uniquely a part of New York is that the companies of over 200 members largely consist of clients and employees from New York's social service organizations. Seen below, this year they come from Brownsville Recreation Center (Brooklyn), Casita Maria Center for Arts and Education (Bronx), Center for Family Life in Sunset Park (Brooklyn), DreamYard Project (Bronx), Fortune Society (Queens) and Military Resilience Project (all boroughs), along with alumni partners Children's Aid Society and Domestic Workers United.

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