The Shakespeare comedy to play through Dec. 31

By Lucie K. Scheuer for the Rogue Valley Times

William Shakespeare’s “Twelfth Night” would be a feat for any theater company to present. There’s more than 10 roles to fill. The dialog and soliloquy tend to go on, and its characters engage in extended wordplay. There are lengthy verbal forages into the meaning of love and desire. There is a grandness to it all, which would be hard to recreate on an average size stage. 

In other words, it would take a skilled theater company to hit on all cylinders and make this an attractive vehicle for general audiences. Yet the Collaborative Theatre Project has done it.

This timeless theater piece (which adopted its name from the 12th night of Christmas) is now playing with all its pageantry and celebration on the Collaborative Theatre Project stage. Director Karen Moore has done an impressive job working with a cadre of gifted actors, many of whom consistently perform with this company. 

A word or two of advice; if you haven’t read the play, you might want to familiarize yourself with the story and poetic dialog beforehand. With Shakespeare it can make the experience more meaningful.

“Twelfth Night” is essentially a Shakespearean comedy about a sister and brother who are shipwrecked. Viola, believing her brother Sebastian is dead, finds work by disguising herself as a young man named Cesario and becoming a page and messenger for a Duke named Orsino. A twist in the plot occurs when Cesario (Viola) falls in love with Orsino, which is further complicated by the fact that Orsino is infatuated and thinks he is in love with a young woman named Olivia. Orsino sends Cesario (Viola) to woo Olivia, which isn’t working too well.

In the meantime, Olivia’s household staff, along with her drunken rambunctious uncle, Sir Toby Belch, (played in the same vein by Ric Hagerman), decide to play a prank on her arrogant steward, Malvolio, who believes he is the only suitable suitor for his mistress Olivia. Jason Esquerra plays a marvelous Malvolio, arrogant, pompous but humorous, until Malvolio finds himself imprisoned by Olivia’s staff.

The story explores the many forms in which people find love. With all its twists and turns and a few surprises in between, in the end we learn we are sometimes creatures at the mercy of our own emotions, while the heart wants what the heart wants.

This production shows off gorgeous Tudor costumes and headdresses by Susan Aversa. It’s obvious she took great care in recreating the look and feel of the period costumes. Her work is complimented by madrigal music created and performed by a harpist and string instrument musician calling themselves Limina’s Heart.

The sets overall have been much more professional looking this year. Set designer Stephen R. DuMouchel and scenic artist Samuel Zimmerman have created a backdrop and side panels that offer visual interest and enhance the production. The sets are complimented by Aaron Young’s lighting design and Brendon Harry’s sound design.

One of the best scenes in the production is the shipwreck, which is expertly recreated with lighting, sound and special stage effects.

Tessa Alleman-Harnen plays an enterprising Viola and a resourceful Cesario but is not quite as expressive as the role calls for.

JJ Welks plays a coquettish, interesting noblewoman and lively Olivia, lovesick for Cesario.

Cole Song as Orsino delivers the famous line, “If music be the food of love, play on,” pulling us into the story and holding our interest throughout the play.

The entire cast is on board for this one, including: Nick Walker as Feste, Shayne LeQuieu as Sebastian, Andrew Chvatal as Sir Andrew Aguecheek, Sarah Esquerra as Maria, Josh Patrick-Riley as Curio, MJ Clark as Antonia and Alexis Edwards as the Gentlewoman.

Performances of “Twelfth Night” are set for 7:30 p.m. Thursdays and Fridays, and 1:30 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays, through Dec. 31. Tickets are $40, $35 for seniors and students. Group rates are available.

Collaborative Theatre Project is at 555 Medford Center, across from Tinseltown in Medford. Tickets and information are available at ctpmedford.org or call the box office at 541-779-1055.

Reach Ashland-based writer Lucie K. Scheuer at [email protected]. This review first appeared in the Rogue Valley Times.