Hartt Theater Presents TWELFTH NIGHT 10/15-18

The Hartt School's Theatre Division presents Twelfth Night, one of William Shakespeare's great comedies, Thursday, October 15, Friday, October 16, and Saturday, October 17 at 7:30 PM, and Sunday, October 18, at 3:00 PM. Performances are in the Edward C. and Ann T. Roberts Foundation Theater at the Mort and Irma Handel Performing Arts Center, 35 Westbourne Parkway, Hartford. Admission is $20 with discounts for seniors, students, and groups. For tickets and information, call the University of Hartford Box Office at 860.768.4228 or 800.274.8587, or buy tickets online at www.hartford.edu/hartt

For centuries audiences have loved Twelfth Night, a tale of love, jealousy, and mistaken identity. When Viola and her twin brother Sebastian are shipwrecked and separated, Viola dresses in her brother's clothes and becomes a page in the palace of the Duke of Orsino. Thinking Viola is a boy, the Duke sends her with a message to Olivia, whom he loves. A variety of complications are set into motion when Olivia falls in love with the page 'boy'.

Twelfth Night, with its great clarity, economy, and drive, is a perfect introduction to Shakespeare. According to Robert Davis, director, "The play is really designed for the audience to get caught up in the action. It is extremely accessible and probably the best play for someone who is new to Shakespeare; a great place to start a wonderful relationship with the world's greatest playwright!" Davis goes on to describe the play as hilarious. "It has, of course, Shakespeare's gorgeous poetic language but it's also filled with music, dance, and some wild and wacky slapstick comedy."

The show features third and fourth year actor training and music theatre students who hail from locations in Connecticut and as far away as Louisiana. Fourth year actor training majors include Sal Mitsou of Farmington, CT, as Orsino; Alec Shamas of Wichita, KS, as Antonio; Bob Sheire of Stafford, VA, as Malvolio; Nathan Johnson of Mattapan, MA, as Sir Andrew Ague; Shaylan Glejzer of Gilford, NH, as Olivia; Chelsea Farthing of Alliance, OH, as Viola; and April Glick of Fairfax, VA, as Maria. Fourth year music theatre majors include Seth Eliser of Saint Amani, LA, as Sebastian; Dan Cake of Kutztown, PA, as a sea captain; Nick Palazzo of Rocky Hill, CT, as Valentine; Pat Morrissey of Mound, MN, as Curio; Phil Smith of Granby, CT, as Sir Toby Belch; and Jamal Shuriah of Great Neck, NY, as Feste. Third year music theatre major Kevin Geiss of Carmel, CT, joins the cast as a servant/priest.

The Hartt School is the comprehensive performing arts conservatory of the University of Hartford that offers innovative degree programs in music, dance, and theatre. With more than 400 concerts, recitals, plays, master classes, dance performances, and musical theatre productions a year, performance is central to Hartt's curriculum. For more information on The Hartt School, visit www.hartford.edu/hartt.

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