All performances free and open to the public; reservations recommended
CONWAY, Arkansas (February 26, 2024)—The Hendrix Players will present four performances of William Shakespeare’s popular play Twelfth Night: or, What You Will, March 6-9, 2024, in Cabe Theatre (building 11 on the current campus map). Wednesday through Friday performances begin at 7:30 p.m., with a Saturday matinee at 2 p.m. Reservations are strongly encouraged. There is no cost for admission; to reserve tickets, visit https://bit.ly/TWELFTHNIGHTTIX.
Twelfth Night is a romantic comedy set in Illyria on the Adriatic coast. At the center of the story is Viola, an intelligent and kind young woman who is shipwrecked on the shores of Illyria. Believing that her twin brother has perished in the wreck, she disguises herself as a young man, renames herself Cesario and goes to work for Orsino, the virtuous Duke of Illyria. Orsino happens to be in love with Olivia, a woman of noble birth. Unfortunately, Olivia is refusing all suitors. Twelfth Night is the inspiration for the 2006 teen comedy/sports film She’s the Man.
Students are at the heart of every Hendrix Players production and fill vital roles on and off stage. The cast includes Lovey Krone as Viola, Seth Fortune as Orsino, Lilly Wells as Olivia, Rhett Booher as Malvolio, and Landry Dosher as Feste. Among the large group of students working behind the scenes are Thomas Moslander (sound designer) and Ivy Branum (stage manager).
Twelfth Night is directed by Daryl W. Phillipy, this year’s Murphy Visiting Theatre Director. He is well-versed in Shakespeare’s plays, having performed in, taught, and directed many of the Bard’s works. Phillipy is a professional actor, stage director, and playwright with more than 25 years of professional theatre experience, and a Professor of Theatre Arts at Murray State University in Murray, Kentucky. He has received two directing awards from the Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival.
“William Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night: or, What You Will is considered one of his finest comedies,” Phillipy says. “It explores aspects of love, madness, and foolishness. In essence it explores how love can and does drive us mad and make us do foolish things. Twelfth Night also delves into aspects of the duality of the human experience; themes of joy versus grief, reason versus madness, love versus hate, and pomposity versus humility. The play is filled with mistaken identity, a love triangle, and a series of festive pranks being played. Ultimately, all is set right.”
Twelfth Night is co-sponsored by the Hendrix-Murphy Foundation Programs in Literature and Language. Content Notice: Flashing light, loud noises. For additional information, call 501-450-1343.
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