Filled with courtship, comedy and mistaken identity, Twelfth Night has it all.
The Bard's beloved comedy tells the tale of fraternal twins Viola and Sebastian, separated in a strange new land. Having survived a shipwreck and believing her brother Sebastian has been lost, Viola falls hopelessly in love with Duke Orsino and disguises herself as a man to enter his world so she can be near him. Music, merriment and swashbuckling adventure abound in Twelfth Night, believed by many to be Shakespeare's greatest comedy. It's a gloriously gender-jumbled romantic tale with the kind of comic confusion that only the Bard could create.
In celebration of five extraordinary years of Public Works, a Public Theater initiative that invites communities across New York to create ambitious works of participatory theater, Free Shakespeare in the Park presents a re-imagining of Public Works’ 2016 musical adaptation of Twelfth Night for a full five-week run in Central Park. Professional artists and two rotating ensembles of community members from all five boroughs will perform together on the Delacorte stage in this enchanting comedy.
Featuring music and lyrics by critically-acclaimed songwriter Shaina Taub, this very special evening is a unique partnership between two Public Theater programs that exemplify The Public’s commitment to radical inclusion.
