This past weekend from Friday, April 11 to Monday, April 14, the Department of Theatre & Dance put on their production of Shakespeare’s comedy “Twelfth Night, or What You Will,” directed by visiting Assistant Professor Ashlyn Baruti.
The audience is greeted by an all-encompassing set, glowing in hues of blue and purple with a background that features a cutout in the shape of the Fibonacci spiral, intended to draw attention to center stage. The scene opens with Duke Orsino, played by Luke Saracoglu ’28, monologuing about his unrequited love for Lady Olivia, played by Rachel Klemm ’28.
“This was my first time being involved specifically in a Bucknell University production… This process was extremely enjoyable, and was a well oiled machine!” Klemm said. “Everyone put their hearts into this show whether it was onstage, backstage or up in the flies. We all worked together to bring this story to life, and we couldn’t have done it without everyone being so committed to making the best show possible.”
As the opening scene concludes, the audience is immersed in a simulated thunderstorm with dramatic flashes of light and booming thunder. One of the play’s central characters Viola, played by Katheryn Brown ’25, and their ship’s captain, played by Bella Kowalski ’28, wash ashore and struggle to climb their way on stage. They had wrecked in Illyria, unfortunately with no sight of Viola’s twin brother Sebastian, played by John Wallace ’25.
“It was an honor to work on the stage, even if only years before, I could never have imagined having the confidence to do so,” Wallace said. “The lovable, large cast of Twelfth Night inspired feelings of trust, kindness and friendship between every actor, both on and off the stage.”
With Viola being unfamiliar with Illyria, the captain explains that the land is ruled by the bachelor Duke Orsino, who is still pining after Olivia. Knowing that his efforts have been unsuccessful, Viola devises a plan to disguise herself as a man and serve as Orsino’s confidant in order to get closer to him.
Orsino accepts Viola, going by her male persona Cesario, as his confidant and sends her off to continue his attempts of courting a disinterested Olivia. Unfortunately for Orsino, this plan backfires and Olivia instead instantly becomes enraptured by Cesario’s charm. This inevitably puts Viola in a difficult situation as well, knowing that sharing her true identity would quickly endanger her original plan.
At the same time, another plot unfolds, involving Olivia’s cousin Sir Toby (Matthew Alexander ’26), Olivia’s servant Maria (Abby Spitzmiller ’28), Sir Toby’s friend Sir Andrew Aguecheek (Kadence Hsieh ’28) and the fool of the household Feste (Sasha Shectman ’28). These characters play largely into the comedic nature of the play, with Sir Toby being in a constant drunken stupor and Sir Andrew mindlessly following close behind.
“Traditionally, Sir Toby is a very simple, stock character who does not have much of a story; however, in this show, we decided to make him into a more complex and interesting character,” said Alexander. “I’d say that this was what I enjoyed most about my character…it allowed me to better understand and play with the character so that he was not just some simple drunk, but someone who has a lot of trauma and pain that has led him to where he is now.”
“My specific role was great,” Hsieh said. “I became very fond of my character. He’s a fairly simple comedic character, but at the same time a sympathetic and devoted person. His lines are all very short for Shakespeare, so I felt he brought a certain comedic intensity or momentum to his scenes.”
Later on, all four characters corroborate their magnum opus of pranks where they convince another of Maria’s servants, Malvolio (Austin Alvarez ’28), that Olivia is secretly in love with him.
“I was super ecstatic to be cast as Feste, because I’m incredibly unserious and goofy in everyday life,” said Shectman. “Carly, the costume designer for the show, at one point described to me Feste’s vibe as something along the lines of a ‘nonbinary nymph that floats around the stage and causes problems’ so it was like, ‘Wow, they really typecasted me!’ Outside of theatre, I also really love fashion and costuming, so when I heard that I was getting styled as a chain-smoking, bobbed up flapper, I just knew this role was meant for me.”
In the end Sebastian finds his way to Illyria, leading to quite the confusion amongst the characters who, to quote Sir Andrew, are wondering how Cesario has “made division” of himself. Olivia had already courted Sebastian in mistaking him for Cesario, and once Orsino finds out that Cesario is actually Viola, he is wooed by her dedication and loyalty. This comedic story turned out to have a happy ending where the characters found their true loves— including Sir Toby and Maria falling for each other in the midst of their pranking.
“I will definitely continue to be a part of and support Bucknell Theatre, as it’s shown me that there is no part that is unimportant, and that there will always be someone in the wings cheering you on and supporting you in everything you do,” Klemm reflected.
“To those who doubt they can shine on stage, I implore you to give acting a shot, especially for the opportunity to meet such lovely people,” Wallace encourages readers. “Just remember, if a finance major with no prior acting experience like me could get into a major production, so can you!”
