The 'Twelfth Night' on the Great Lawn

A clear night and artsy summer ambience were all Brookdale Community College's Shakespeare Ensemble needed to wind up a good run of nine outdoor performances of Twelfth Night.

The Elizabethan romantic comedy by William Shakespeare, also known as What You Will, was written in 1600 as a farce of its time, sans door slamming. It takes you down the bumpy road to insane romantic love, replete with indentity fraud, gender switch-ups and separated twins, ending up with a double wedding and true love with a twist triumphing over it all.

Directed by John Bucovec, with set and costume design by Jen Lucero and Peter Mussared, the Brookdale production featured a cast of 19 seasoned community theater actors. 

Featured in the above slideshow are: Zach Chrzan as Sebastian; Matt Dubrow as Sir Toby Belch; Ashley M. Green as Fabian; Samantha M. Hennin as Sir Andrew Aguecheek; John Kloby as Antonio; Jill Lupinacci as Viola; Mary C. Meyers as Maria; and Audra Mariel Talierico as Olivia.

Other cast members included: Chris Dubrow as Malvolio; Anthony Coppola as Valentine/Second Office; Jen Lucero as Captain; Daniel Rezac as Feste the Fool; Ken Richlin as Orsino; Luke Nanney as First Officer; Sara Staple as Curio; and Sofie Schildge, Hannah Tichansky, and Nicole Kolakowski, ensemble.

"I would like to thank all the people who continue to support the performing arts and their power to educate, entertain and elighten," Director John Bukovec said in his message to the cast and public in the play program.

He added a quote from John Hiatt ~ "Whatever your hands find to do, you must do with all your heart; there are thoughts enough to blow men's mind and tear great worlds apart."

Click on the above video and enjoy the glimpse into the show!