NAU Theater entertains with popular ‘Twelfth Night’

Drama class

NAU Theater will entertain audiences with Twelfth Night, one of Shakespeare’s most popular comedies, opening Nov. 14 at NAU’s Studio Theater.

“The play is an enormously intricate story of surprising love affairs, mistaken identities, improbable duels and Shakespeare’s incomparable poetic imagery,” said theater professor Mac Groves, director of the play. “The set and the costumes are a lot of fun.”

Twelfth Night is the story of Viola, who is shipwrecked in romantic Illyria. She believes her twin brother, Sebastian, is dead. Masquerading as a youth named Cesario, she enters the service of Duke Orsino, who loves Lady Olivia and decides to use “Cesario” as an intermediary.

Other elements of the play include cross-dressing, romance and one of Shakespeare’s best subplots in which other characters scheme to fool Olivia’s pompous head steward, Malvolio.

The performance is set in the tropics in modern times and will feature NAU students Amber Stonebraker as Viola, David Pickett as Count Orsino, Lauren Klein as Lady Olivia, Andrew Cupo as Sir Andrew Aguecheek, Shelby Brimhall as Feste, Alex Oliver as Sir Toby Belch and Emily Kuckuk as Maria.

The performance will be staged at 8 p.m. Nov. 14, 15, 19, 20, 21 and 22. Matinee performances are scheduled for 2 p.m. Nov. 16 and 23.

The NAU Studio Theater has limited seating, so patrons are encouraged to call for Twelfth Night tickets early. Tickets are $12 for general admission, $11 for faculty, staff and senior citizens and $7 for students and children. Call the NAU Central Ticket Office at (928) 523-5661.