New Jersey Stage logo
New Jersey Stage Menu



 

'Twelfth Night' Shines Brightly at Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey


By Karen Nowosad

originally published: 12/16/2022


Patrick Toon, Cedric Lamar, and Jeffrey Bender in a scene from Twelfth Night at Shakespeare Theatre of NJ. Photo by Sarah Haley

You can always count on The Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey to deliver an exceptional production for the December Holiday Season. This year is no exception as they present one of Shakespeare’s comedies, Twelfth Night. The play provides a delightful visit to the theater as a strong acting ensemble provides many funny scenes, some touching moments, and original music using Shakespeare’s own words.

The show has several themes, but the ones that stand out are about family. The Director of the production, Jason King Jones, puts it well in his Notes:


One of the many themes at play in Twelfth Night is family: the family we hold dear, the family we have lost, the family we are sometimes embarrassed to have, and the family we have yet to create. . . . Family makes us do strange things.

- Jason King Jones





Advertise with NJ Stage for $50-$100 per month, click here for info



Stories Told in the Twelfth Night

The main action centers around the love Duke Orsino (Jon Barker) has for Countess Olivia (Billie Wyatt). However, she is not in a good frame of mind due to her brother’s death. More aspects of the story occur when a shipwreck and a noblewoman, Viola (Eliana Rowe) washes ashore. She believes her twin brother, Sebastian, (Jeffrey Marc Alkins) was drown in the shipwreck. Having no one to protect her, and no money to use, Viola disguises herself as a man. She eventually agrees to work for the Duke and becomes his person who speaks to Olivia in an attempt to woo her for the Duke.

In good Shakespearean fashion, Viola’s hidden identity is never noticed and Olivia begins to feel an attraction for the Viola – not as a woman, but as a man. This new love interest throws Olivia’s household into a tailspin. Enter Malvolio (Robert Cuccioli), a strait laced, strict man who tries to find out what is going on. He comes upon Olivia’s fun loving uncle, Sir Toby Belch (Jeffrey M. Bender), and Sir Andrew Aguecheek (Patrick Toon) who live it up all the time. These characters bring in many moments of laughter in the show and they stir up mischief that leads to other things coming out.

Toby and Andrew and other members of the household put together a made up story in a letter and leave it so that Malvolio finds it. Upon reading it, he thinks Olivia has fallen in love with him. In a very humorous scene, he acts upon the recommendations in the letter and dresses in yellow cross-gartered stockings and smiles continuously at Olivia.

Robert Cuccioli in Twelfth Night – Photo by Sarah Haley



The Pieces Come Together

There are more things that happen with the love interests and with the comic portions. However, one of the most interesting scenes occurs when Sebastian enters and everyone is amazed to see the twins side-by-side at last. Dressed in identical clothing, the production showcases this revelation very well. In fact, from an audience view, it does indeed look like the two actors could be brother and sister. Most of the players end up happy in the end and in keeping with the spirit of the play, all is well that ends well.

However, the success of this show is due to the excellent acting that all the players turn in. From the comedy portions, to the more sensitive family issues, each actor plays a role that is important to the best telling of the tale and to the enjoyment audience members will have.






Advertise with NJ Stage for $50-$100 per month, click here for info



Music

Adding to the festive feel of the season is the inclusion of contemporary tunes. Shakespeare’s words are used as the lyrics but the music is composed by Cedric Lamar. Mr. Lamar plays a role in the show along with playing the songs and singing the lyrics. This is a nice way to bring the feel of a holiday play into the action of the play and yet stay true to the script written by Shakespeare himself.



Tickets for Twelfth Night

For more information or to purchase tickets, patrons can call the Box Office at 973-408-5600 or visit ShakespeareNJ.org .

The Theatre offers various cost-saving opportunities:

* $15 student rush tickets, which are available 30 minutes prior to each performance, with a valid student ID.

* A limited number of Pay What You Can tickets for every performance on a first-come, first-serve basis.

* $30 Under 30 ticket option, which offers $30 tickets for patrons age 30 and under, with valid ID.

* Other discounts are available including a 10% discount for Bank of America customers and employees, members of television’s THIRTEEN, AAA members, and others. 



Special Performances




Advertise with NJ Stage for $50-$100 per month, click here for info



For the same price as a regular ticket, the Symposium Series performances offer a post-show discussion with the cast and artistic staff. For Twelfth Night, the remaining Symposium performance will be held on Saturday, December 17 at 2:00pm.



Twelfth Night runs through January 1st, 2023.  Performances take place in the The F.M. Kirby Shakespeare Theatre, which is located at 36 Madison Avenue in Madison, New Jersey.


Let's Go to the Theater helps people learn more about about live theater and develop appreciation for this art form. Karen M. Nowosad is the founder of the site. The enjoyment Karen gets from going to the theater is something she wants to share with others.

 

EVENT PREVIEWS

Speranza

Speranza Theatre Company presents "Princess Pals"

(JERSEY CITY, NJ) -- Speranza Theatre Company, joined by students from Speranza Studio's Summer Acting Intensive, presents its summer stage production, Princess Pals, from July 11-19, 2025 outdoors at the Museum of Jersey City History at The Apple Tree House. Written and directed by Nick Radu-Blackburn. Happily Ever was just the beginning... turns out "after" isn’t all it's cracked up to be. Bored after their fairy tale endings, princess-frenemies embark on a mischievous adventure. Can they put their differences aside to save their kingdoms, all while dealing with an unexpected twist?



"RIFT"

"RIFT" Returns To Luna For Two Nights Only Before International Debut At Edinburgh's Traverse Theatre

(WEST ORANGE, NJ) -- Luna Stage's commissioned World Premiere play RIFT is headed to the Edinburgh Fringe for a four-week run at Traverse Theatre this August. On July 18-19, 2025 at 8:00pm each night, the powerful and timely new play returns to Luna for two benefit performances to support the company's travel to Scotland.



PHOTOS

PHOTOS from "Jesus Christ Superstar" at Pleasant Valley Productions

(WEST ORANGE, NJ) -- Pleasant Valley Productions (PVP) is presenting Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice's iconic rock opera, Jesus Christ Superstar at the Oscar Schindler Performing Arts Center (OSPAC). The production runs July 11-12 and July 17-19, 2025. This groundbreaking musical, which revolutionized the world of theatre, tells the story of the final week of Jesus' life through the eyes of Judas Iscariot. Photographer John Posada was on hand to take photos.



Centenary

Centenary Stage presents Jimmy Buffet's Escape to Margaritaville

(HACKETTSTOWN, NJ) -- Centenary Stage Company presents Jimmy Buffett's Escape to Margaritaville from Thursday, July 10 through Sunday, July 20 in the Sitnik Theatre of the Lackland Performing Arts Center. Featuring a book by Greg Garcia and Mike O'Malley and music and lyrics by Jimmy Buffett, this play combines tropical vibes and feel-good humor with a collection of the singer-songwriter’s most beloved hits.



The

The MAC Players at the Middletown Arts Center present "Hairspray"

(MIDDLETOWN, NJ) -- The MAC Players at the Middletown Arts Center present the unstoppably joyous musical, Hairspray, over two weekends, July 11–20, 2025. Directed by Victoria Keiser, with musical direction by Lauryn Boyle and choreography by Samantha Amaral, the award-winning Broadway musical promises a fun-filled evening of laughter, energy and unforgettable dance numbers.



FEATURED EVENTS

ART | COMEDY | DANCE | FILM | MUSIC | THEATRE | COMMUNITY

To narrow results by date range, categories,
or region of New Jersey
click here for our advanced search.


The

The MAC players at the Middletown Arts Center present "Hairspray"

Friday, July 18, 2025 @ 7:00pm
Middletown Arts Center
36 Church Street, Middletown, NJ 07748
category: theatre


 

The

The Mallard

Friday, July 18, 2025 @ 7:30pm
Premiere Stages - Bauer Boucher Theatre Center
1000 Morris Avenue, Union, NJ 07083
category: theatre


 

Good

Good Riddance; A Gnarly Murder Mystery Dinner, Dude!

Friday, July 18, 2025 @ 6:00pm
Carteret Performing Arts Center
46 Washington Ave, Carteret, NJ 07008
category: theatre


 

The

The Wizard of Oz

Friday, July 18, 2025 @ 7:30pm
Algonquin Arts Theatre
60 Abe Voorhees, Manasquan, NJ 08736
category: theatre


 

The

The MAC players at the Middletown Arts Center present "Hairspray"

Saturday, July 19, 2025 @ 7:00pm
Middletown Arts Center
36 Church Street, Middletown, NJ 07748
category: theatre