Any reports on Twelfth Night at CSC?

I saw it this past Sunday. It's a fun one, but it's more straightforward and not as innovative as their Into the Woods. Ben Steinfeld (one of the co-directors) plays Feste, and he was the highlight for me, though the whole cast does a great job. The use of music throughout is lovely, and the rustic nautical theme is cool atmospherically, but only minimally relevant to the play. I can see why CSC picked this up, as it feels very in line with the kind of thing Doyle does in terms of the use of space, and actors playing instruments. Not my favorite Twelfth Night, nor my favorite Fiasco production, and I think those two factors hampered by experience a bit. I found Into the Woods so thoroughly enjoyable, so I had inflated expectations for this. And similarly, I fell head over heals for the brilliant National Theatre production of Twelfth Night earlier this year, so having that version fairly fresh on my mind made it harder to appreciate this one by comparison. But those things aside, it was a solid and enjoyable production. I expect people on this board will like it.

I'm just glad that CSC is putting up Fiasco's productions rather than having John Doyle direct another stark, humorless production.

I'll answer my own question here: this production is, to sum it up with one word, inessential. Fiasco doesn't bring anything special to the text, nor does it seem like there's any real reason for them to do this play other than because they wanted to. It reminds me a great deal of the CSC As You Like It from the fall, and it looks like they're even using the same exact design elements. John Doyle even did the set!

My major qualm is that it felt like Toby, Feste, and Maria's play. It felt like Olivia and Viola were the subplot, not the main focus.

But on a positive note, Ben Steinfeld has a lovely singing voice.

little_sally said:
My major qualm is that it felt like Toby, Feste, and Maria's play. It felt like Olivia and Viola were the subplot, not the main focus.


Interestingly, Sir Toby has the largest line load in the play. Viola is the protagonist, but Twelfth Night really is an ensemble piece. Midsummer, As You Like It, and even Much Ado are as well, really. It’s the histories and tragedies that have the big “star vehicle” roles.

The Distinctive Baritone said: "little_sally said:
My major qualm is that it felt like Toby, Feste, and Maria's play. It felt like Olivia and Viola were the subplot, not the main focus.


Interestingly, Sir Toby has the largest line load in the play. Viola is the protagonist, but Twelfth Nightreally is an ensemble piece. Midsummer, As You Like It, and even Much Ado are as well, really. It’s the histories and tragedies that have the big “star vehicle” roles."

Interesting. I guess every time I read it/see it, I think of it as Viola's play.