USM Department of Theatre to Explore Identity with Shakespeare's TWELFTH NIGHT

The Department of Theatre at the University of Southern Maine will continue its year-long exploration of the theme of 'identity' with "Twelfth Night (or What You Will)," by William Shakespeare.

Performances will run from November 10 through November 19 on the Main Stage at Russell Hall on the Gorham campus.

Directed by Theatre faculty Sara Valentine, this comic tale of loss, love and mistaken identity is one of William Shakespeare's most beloved plays.

"Twelfth Night combines elements of comedy, romance and even farce," Valentine said. "It has some of Shakespeare's most lyrical poetry expressed both in spoken word and song. It is an especially popular play to produce with college students because of the diverse technicolor roles borrowed from the world of commedia dell'arte stock characters-moonstruck lovers, the dim-witted suitor, the clever clown, the coquettish maid, to name a few-and, to boot, who doesn't love a good mistaken-identity plot?"

Two graduating USM Theatre majors, Emily Grotz of Freeport and Molana Oei of Lubec, are sharing the roles of Viola and Sebastian, and will perform the roles in rotation, alternating between the two parts.

"'Twelfth Night' has inspired me because it has fantastic role models," Oei said. "Women in the play are bold, collected and courageous. The men are sentimental, dreamy and forthright. It feels extremely contemporary and relevant to our times, and shows that people do not have to remain inside boxes created by societal expectations. If there is not a niche in place for you, you just have to carve one out for yourself!"

For more information on USM's Department of Theatre events and programs, click here.

IF YOU GO:

"Twelfth Night (or What You Will)"
By William Shakespeare
Directed by Sara Valentine

November 10 - 19
At Russell Hall, USM Gorham campus

Performances:
Evenings: November 10, 11, 16, 17, 18 at 7:30pm
Matinees: November 12 & 15 at 5:00pm and November 19 at 2:00pm

Tickets: $8 students; $12 seniors, faculty, staff, alumni; $16 general public
Visit usm.maine.edu/theatre, click on 'Purchase Tickets' and make your selection, or call the USM Theatre Box Office at (207) 780-5151, TTY (207) 780-5646.

Discount Wednesdays!
Join us for our 5:00 performances on Wednesdays and get your seat for just $8 ($10 for our musical)!

Please arrive at least 15-30 minutes early. Open seating begins 30 minutes before the start of the performance. Performances begin promptly-late arrivals are seated at the discretion of the house manager.

Those needing special accommodations to participate fully in this program, contact the USM Theatre Box Office (207) 780-5151. Hearing impaired: call USM's telex / TDD number (207) 780-5646.

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