Have you heard the word on the street? John Brown University’s Department of Music and Theater was host to gossip, betrayal and scandal in the musical adaptation of William Shakespeare's legendary play “Twelfth Night.” The adaptation by Kwame Kwei-Armah and Shaina Taub was directed by Department Chair Liesl Dromi and Assistant Professor Lisa Auten and performed in Jones Recital Hall. While the smaller stage was not ideal for attendance, the intimate setting provided the audience with a close-up experience that felt like it was being told through the grapevine or social media gossip.
For those unfamiliar with the story, twin Viola (Ava Villarreal) must take up the identity of her identical brother, Sebastian (Landen Purdy), after he appears to be lost at sea. She falls for her employer, Duke Orsino (Seth Childs) who is in love with the grieving Lady Olivia (Emma Biebighauser). Instead of falling for the Duke, Olivia falls for the disguised Viola, creating a twisted love triangle and a crisis of identity. Lovers of early 2000s romcoms may recognize this plot from the 2006 film “She’s the Man,” which also follows Shakespeare’s story.
Although not a modern take, the introduction of music created space for moments that connect with modern audiences. One of the chorus members, played by Freshman Kara Presley, carried around an iPhone in songs like “Play On” and “You’re the Worst,” which accentuated the modern image of gossip.
“I loved working through the differences in Shaina Taub's adaptation of “Twelfth Night.” Her music added new opportunities for contemporary comedy and leaned further into themes of community, joy, and modern accessibility,” Villarreal said.
Another way that modern moments were added into the musical was through the addition of contemporary music in the middle of Shakespearean English.
“While the dialogue remained original Shakespearean verse, the songs were in modern English, allowing for a more comfortable understanding of the plot. Songs like 'Word on the Street' especially achieved this, transforming the 'confusion' of the plot into a vibrant atmosphere of gossip,” Villarreal said.
The vibrant atmosphere was aided by colorful costumes, makeup, lighting and set design. The colorful setting was matched by the energetic portrayal of characters by actors like Sophomore, Jaxon Shally, who played Olivia’s inebriated uncle, Sir Toby Belch, Senior, Hudson Langhofer, who played Sir Toby’s often blubbering friend, Sir Andrew Aguecheek and Junior Garrett Cote, who played the pompous Count Malvolio. The Count’s song, “Count Malvolio,” was one particularly catchy tune, which, when paired with the comedic timing of Cote and the chorus group, left the audience roaring with laughter.
Underlying character can also be developed with the addition of music and differing vocal choices. Sophomore and Psychology major, Abby DeSpain, took a deeper look at the character of Malvolio in this way.
“It was catchy, but I felt like it was also revealing. Most people would say it was an upbeat and happy song, but I think he’s a narcissist,” DeSpain said.
The music also takes on new life from a vocalist perspective.
“Some of my personal favorite vocal moments include the verse, 'Who am I besides how I look to you?' in 'Viola's Soliloquy,' and pretty much the entirety of 'I Am She.' A few favorite moments from my cast members were Julia’s performance of 'Is This Not Love' and the unique character in each voice during 'Word on the Street,'” Villarreal said.
While the inclusion of music allowed for humor and connection to the contemporary, it also allowed the actors to explore the characters in a deeper way.
“Within this musical adaptation, I tried to stay as true to Viola’s character as written in the original play. However, the addition of music deepened her dynamics; it opened up the opportunity to play into the anxiety and yearning of being trapped between two identities,” Villarreal said. “In the original play, she often shields her inner life through wit, but in the musical, her soliloquies offered a direct window into her thoughts as she confesses her feelings to the audience.”
John Brown University's Theater Department will conclude its semester of performances with fifteen different one-act plays directed by performing arts students on April 24 and 25.
Photo provided by JBU Theatre Department
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