Twelfth Night

Lyrics by: Murray and Large
Book Adapted by: Thomas Large
Music by: Stephen Murray
Play #: 6601
Pages: 65 pgs
Cast: Large, flexible cast. Approx. 10 m, 10-13 w, 1 flexible, extras

"If music be the food of love, play on!" In this modern-day adaptation of Shakespeare's beloved comedy, the sounds of disco, swing, gospel, Latin and hip-hop music propel an outrageous assortment of characters into each others' arms. A terrible shipwreck strands young Viola on the beaches of Illyria. Desperate to support herself as she searches for Sebastian, her lost twin, she disguises herself as a man named "Cesario." Soon she is working for Duke Orsino, taking his love messages to the Countess Olivia. But the Countess' estate is a tropical madhouse crammed with eccentric characters. In the midst of this craziness Viola's passionate messages of love are unexpectedly successful: the Countess Olivia falls hopelessly in love with him! Her? No, him. (But really her.) And did we mention the bumbling pirates who rescue Sebastian, an extreme makeover performed by the servant girls, and the "exorcism" conducted by the dancing "holy women"? Like the holiday from which it takes its name, this musical is an exuberant feast bursting with hijinks, masquerades, and revelry!

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Related Products:

Twelfth Night - Vocal Score - $9.95
Twelfth Night - Piano/Vo Score - $35.00
Twelfth Night - Rehearsal / Performance Music (on flash drive) - $79.95

Productions

THE VILLAGE SCHOOL 1 Performance(s)
WALDWICK, NJ 4/15/2021
THE MISSISSIPPI SCHOOL FOR MATHEMATICS AND SCIENCE 2 Performance(s)
COLUMBUS, MS 5/15/2020
RHEA CNTY HIGH DRAMA 3 Performance(s)
EVENSVILLE, TN 3/15/2019
TRIANGLE LEADERSHIP COMMONWEAL 1 Performance(s)
RALEIGH, NC 1/11/2019
GREEN HIGH SCHOOL 2 Performance(s)
GREEN, OH 4/19/2018
ISLE OF WIGHT ACADEMY 2 Performance(s)
ISLE OF WIGHT, VA 5/5/2017
MHS DRAMA CLUB 3 Performance(s)
MONTESANO, WA 4/27/2017
HAYFIELD HIGH SCHOOL 2 Performance(s)
HAYFIELD, MN 4/1/2016
TRILLIUM ACADEMY 2 Performance(s)
TAYLOR, MI 4/11/2014
OGLETHORPE CHARTER SCHOOL 3 Performance(s)
SAVANNAH, GA 1/15/2014
FERNLEY INTERMEDIATE SCHOOL 1 Performance(s)
WADSWORTH, NV 5/15/2013
SCHS TRIBAL DRAMA 3 Performance(s)
TOCCOA, GA 5/3/2013
ROCKWOOD SOUTH MIDDLE SCHOOL 3 Performance(s)
FENTON, MO 11/8/2012
GRAND RIVER PREPARATORY HS 2 Performance(s)
KENTWOOD, MI 3/15/2012
OLYMPIC MIDDLE SCHOOL 2 Performance(s)
AUBURN, WA 2/2/2012
RENFROE MIDDLE SCHOOL 2 Performance(s)
DECATUR, GA 1/27/2012
WINTER HAVEN HIGH SCHOOL 5 Performance(s)
WINTER HAVEN, FL 4/28/2011
REAGAN DORAL SENIOR HS 1 Performance(s)
DORAL, FL 3/15/2011
HILMAR HIGH SCHOOL 2 Performance(s)
HILMAR, CA 12/8/2010
ST JOSEPH SCHOOL 1 Performance(s)
HAMRUN, MALTA, EU 3/18/2010
THE VILLAGE SCHOOL FOR CHILDRE 1 Performance(s)
WALDWICK, NJ 3/18/2010
KELSO HIGH SCHOOL 6 Performance(s)
KELSO, WA 5/28/2009
DEER PARK HIGH - NORTH CAMPUS 3 Performance(s)
DEER PARK, TX 5/8/2009
HAYFIELD HIGH SCHOOL 2 Performance(s)
HAYFIELD, MN 4/17/2009
BRINLEY/DOWERS/GRJHS 2 Performance(s)
GILBERT, AZ 3/6/2009
TOWANDA HIGH SCHOOL 3 Performance(s)
TOWANDA, PA 11/20/2008
WICA 4 Performance(s)
LANGLEY, WA 8/8/2008
ST JAMES HIGH SCHOOL 3 Performance(s)
SAINT JAMES, MN 6/1/2008
WALDORF SCHOOL 1 Performance(s)
JOHANNESBURG, SA 1/15/2008

Behind The Scenes

PLAYWRIGHTS STEPHEN MURRAY and TOM LARGE

TALK ABOUT "TWELFTH NIGHT"

 

Q: WHAT INSPIRED YOU TO WRITE THIS ADAPTATION?

A.: We wanted to have fun creating a musical with all our favorite musical styles-R&B, Calypso, Rap, Gospel, Tango, and Rock-a contemporary blend of pop sounds kids can enjoy instead of a generic, "Broadway" sound. As far as the story, you can't go wrong with a Shakespeare plot.

 

Q.: WHAT'S YOUR FAVORITE PART OR LINE IN THE PLAY? WHY?

A.: Our favorite part is the Act I finale, "Like No Man I've Ever Known." It starts bluesy, goes into a Supremes-styled tempo, then tears the roof off the theatre with an upbeat, gospel finish. As for favorite lines, the ones Shakespeare wrote are our favorite.

 

Q.: DO YOU HAVE A FAVORITE CHARACTER? WHO IS IT AND WHY?

A.: Our favorite characters are Lady Tamara Belch and Feste. Our most creative fun was to change these male characters from Shakespeare's play into female characters in our musical adaptation. The new Feste and Belch create quite a contrast to each other and add new elements to the show.

 

Q.: WHAT DID YOU TRY TO ACHIEVE WITH THIS ADAPTATION?

A.: As performing arts educators, we have become frustrated with the offerings of the Broadway repertoire. There were not enough female leads and there have been increasingly small cast sizes. Our adaptation addresses this by offering more female leads, a large cast size, and a fun show for actors and audiences.

 

Q.: DO YOU HAVE ANYTHING ELSE YOU'D LIKE TO ADD?

A.: Our goad in adapting "Twelfth Night" was to create a show that was entertaining for audiences and exciting for the performers. An added bonus is that the show is also educational as it introduces people to one of Shakespeare's classic comedies.