All
performances free and open to the public; reservations recommended
ABOVE: Seth Fortune as Orsino, Lovey Krone as Viola, and Lilly Wells as Olivia in William Shakespeare's Twelfth Night.
CONWAY, Arkansas (February 26, 2024)—The Hendrix Players will
present four performances of William Shakespeare’s popular play Twelfth
Night: or, What You Will, March 6-9, 2024, in Cabe Theatre (building 11 on
the current campus map). Wednesday through Friday
performances begin at 7:30 p.m., with a Saturday
matinee at 2 p.m. Reservations are strongly encouraged. There is no cost
for admission; to reserve tickets, visit https://bit.ly/TWELFTHNIGHTTIX.
Twelfth Night is a romantic comedy set in Illyria on the
Adriatic coast. At the center of the story is Viola, an intelligent and kind
young woman who is shipwrecked on the shores of Illyria. Believing that her
twin brother has perished in the wreck, she disguises herself as a young man,
renames herself Cesario and goes to work for Orsino, the virtuous Duke of
Illyria. Orsino happens to be in love with Olivia, a woman of noble birth. Unfortunately, Olivia
is refusing all suitors. Twelfth
Night is the
inspiration for the 2006 teen comedy/sports film She's the Man.
Students are at the
heart of every Hendrix Players production and fill vital roles on and off stage. The cast includes Lovey Krone as Viola, Seth Fortune as
Orsino, Lilly Wells as Olivia, Rhett Booher as Malvolio, and Landry Dosher as
Feste. Among the large group of students working behind the scenes are
Thomas Moslander (sound designer) and Ivy Branum (stage manager).
Twelfth Night is directed by Daryl W. Phillipy, this
year’s Murphy Visiting Theatre Director. He is well-versed in Shakespeare’s
plays, having performed in, taught, and directed many of the Bard’s works.
Phillipy is a professional actor, stage director, and playwright with more than
25 years of professional theatre experience, and a Professor of Theatre
Arts at Murray State University in Murray, Kentucky. He has received two
directing awards from the Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival.
“William Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night:
or, What You Will is considered one of his finest comedies,” Phillipy says.
“It explores aspects of love, madness, and foolishness. In essence it explores
how love can and does drive us mad and make us do foolish things. Twelfth
Night also delves into aspects of the duality of the human experience;
themes of joy versus grief, reason versus madness, love versus hate, and
pomposity versus humility. The play is filled with mistaken identity, a love
triangle, and a series of festive pranks being played. Ultimately, all is set
right.”
Twelfth Night is co-sponsored by the Hendrix-Murphy
Foundation Programs in Literature and Language. Content Notice: Flashing
light, loud noises. For additional information, call 501-450-1343.
About Hendrix College
Founded in 1876, Hendrix College is
featured in Colleges That Change Lives: 40 Schools That Will Change the Way You
Think About Colleges and celebrated among the country’s leading liberal arts
colleges for academic quality, engaged learning opportunities and career
preparation, vibrant campus life, and value. The Hendrix College Warriors
compete in 21 NCAA Division III sports. Hendrix has been affiliated with the
United Methodist Church since 1884. Learn more at www.hendrix.edu.
“… Through engagement that links the
classroom with the world, and a commitment to diversity, inclusion, justice,
and sustainable living, the Hendrix community inspires students to lead lives
of accomplishment, integrity, service, and joy.”
—Hendrix College Statement of Purpose