Review: A Night of Whimsy Returns to the Park

Watching Shakespeare's tale of disguises, mistaken identities, mixed-up romances and mischief under the stars is a delight, as Shakespeare-by-the-Sea brings its rendition of Twelfth Night to Valley Park Thursday.

I saw the troupe's performance in Manhattan Beach's Polliwog Park over the weekend, and while the performance was edited down a bit, this kept the action moving forward, and the show running time to about two hours under Amy Louise Sebelius' direction.

After stopping at a nearby Trader Joe's to pick up some pre-made sandwiches for dinner, my wife, dog and I arrived at the park about ten minutes to show time. The audience was packed with local families and fans ready for the show — I expect the same in Hermosa.

Audience members speckled the grass with blankets and lawn chairs. While most folks brought food to enjoy during the show, one large group near the front had a low table filled with trays and platters of meals to share. Others had take-out from local restaurants.

The whole atmosphere felt like a summer concert, or fireworks show, teeming with excitement. I was happy to see how many children stayed with the show, engaged in the story. I can't wait to bring my own to such an event.

Lisa Coffi, Shakespeare-by-the-Sea's founder and producing artistic director, addressed the audience just before the show started. She thanked everyone for coming, and reminded the audience that the organization needs their support to continue performing each year.

The show began with a mime, or "dumb show," of the play's story, depicting the characters and the circumstances that befall them. This was a common devise in Shakespeare's day, when there were no printed programs to introduce the story to the audience, and most productions were held outdoors, just like Shakespeare-by-the-Sea.

Without words, the performers struck poses befitting their characters, and acted out a sea storm that separates twin siblings Viola and Sebastian, leaving Viola shipwrecked on Illyria.

To protect herself, she disguises herself as a man and soon works as a servant for local duke and eligible bachelor Orsino. Sarah Yahr Tucker was enjoyable to watch as Viola, successful in portraying desperation, a difficult and delicate emotion to act.

A particularly effective moment was when Viola realizes that Olivia, the countess she is wooing on Orsino's behalf, is actually attracted to her, disguised as a man. At that same time, Viola was falling for Orsino.

Patrick Vest played a passionate Orsino, a man in love with love. While committed to his heart's sincerity, he milked all the comedic possibilities in his scenes with the disguised Viola.

Katie Pelensky's Olivia covered a range of emotional states, as she starts the play in mourning, all the while beset by her drunken uncle, her fool, her servant and multiple suitors.

Andy Kallok as Sir Toby Belch, the drunken uncle, played up the physical comedy with ease. Cody Roberts, as Olivia's fool, used his very mischievous grin and physical technique to great effect. Patrice Lakey as Maria, Olivia's servant, was a strong presence on stage.

The steward of the household, Malvolio played by David Graham, was very uptight and stern to start, which created great juxtaposition when other members of the household tricked him into doing the most ridiculous things later in the play.

Equally ridiculous was Ryan Knight as Sir Andrew Aguecheek, the ineffective wooer of Olivia. Olev Aleksander portrayed a very sincere Sebastian. John Cox, Matt Guerra, Joe Ngo and Kaitlyn Smith round out the cast, some switching between multiple roles on a dime.

The simple set, designed by Aaron Jackson and also used for Julius Caesar, is effective at providing different levels and depth, giving a good view of the action from all angles. This same set, modified a bit, is used year after year by the company.

Valerie Wright-Blair provided wonderfully colorful costumes appropriate to the play's time. And Steve Garbade's original music composed for the show played briefly between scenes, adding to the urgent and whimsical tone of the production.

As the sun sank and the Junebugs appeared, the audience huddled a little closer in the cool night air, wrapping the blankets a little more tightly, and laughing at the plights of the characters before them.

Twelfth Night plays at Valley Park, at Valley Drive and Gould, at 7 p.m. on Thursday July 22. Admission is free. 

As a Southern California native, Rhett Nadolny has worked in various mediums as an actor, writer and photographer across the South Bay. Having performed at the Hermosa Beach Playhouse, Nadolny serves as a familiar face within the Hermosa Beach arts community.