'Twelfth Night': School of Drama to stage Shakespeare's most 'deeply moving' comedy

"Twelfth Night," William Shakespeare's tale of mistaken identity and misdirected passions, will be presented by the School of Drama Dec. 3-9 at the Yale Repertory Theatre, corner of Chapel and York streets.

The classic comedy is the thesis project of School of Drama directing student Alec Wild.

"'Twelfth Night' is perhaps Shakespeare's most profound, resonant and deeply moving romantic comedy," says Wild, who was artistic director of the Folio Theatre Company in Chicago before coming to Yale. "There is an air of festivity and frolic surrounding the play, but there is an unsettling undercurrent to it that is sad and almost cynical."

The play begins when the twins Viola and Sebastian are shipwrecked on the island of Illyria. Each thinks the other is dead, and wanders the island encountering the lovesick Duke Orsino and the mournful Countess Olivia, who rebuff each other's show of passion but take interest in the newcomers. At the same time, Olivia's steward, Malvolio, is wickedly teased by the duo of Sir Toby Belch and Sir Andrew Aguecheek. They are assisted by Maria, Fabian and Feste, who are in search of comic justice.

"'Twelfth Night' examines the relationships between grief and joy, love and loss, folly and cruelty," says Wild. "It is a wonderful exploration of the power of love and the potential of the human spirit."

The cast includes (in alphabetical order) Ed Blunt, Brennan Brown, Eric Martin Brown, Daniel Cooney, Keith Davis, Jon Ecklund, Joanna Glushak, John Wootaak Kwon, Adrian LaTourelle, Ronald Dean Nolen, Harvey Gardner Moore, Joey Parsons and Alicia Roper.

The design team includes Luke Cantarella (sets), Marcus Doshi (lighting), Jacqueline Firkins (costumes) and Fitzjerrel Patton (sound). Composer Brent Barlow of Boston has created original music for the production.

Performances are at 8 p.m., except on Monday, Dec. 7, when the show will begin at 7 p.m. Ticket prices are $8-$15, with discounts for students, seniors and groups of 10 or more. For more information and reservations, call the Yale Rep box office at 432-1234.