Esparza, McDonald, Cumpsty complete cast of SITP's TWELFTH NIGHT

So you're saying that me not visiting NYC this summer is NOT an option.

Updated On: 4/15/09 at 12:33 PM

This sounds great!

Hopefully I'll be in the city this summer to catch a performance.

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UM, YAY!

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I totally agree, humbug. Here we have one of the finest performers in front of the public today wasted on an unrewarding role. Malvolio might have been interesting casting, but there's no place to go with Orsino. Not really on topic, but if we're talking Shakespeare, think what an Iago Esparza would make!

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I'm hoping that perhaps Raúl saw this as a challenge to try and make something special out of not a lot to work with. He does seem to relish such theatrical difficulties.

And, oh dear heavens, Iago! I don't dare dream that he'll get to play Iago someday. That would be so stunning I can't even think of anything coherent to say!

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I did!

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Back in the late 70's, early 80's, I saw Raul Julia as Othello and Richard Dreyfuss as Iago in the Park...Oh, Joe Papp was the best at casting!

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random question..sorry to threadjack..but how does SITP work for the actors? do they get paid? i know it's free so i'm curious how this works out.

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Orsino may not be one of Shakespeare's overtly fascinating creations, but he's far from a dull, "nothing" character. I've seen many productions that play on Orsino's sexual ambiguity, and it makes for a fascinating character study. Plus, he has that great and pompous "If music be the food of love" speech. I think it's a great fit for Esparza.

That being said, and no offense intended, I'm annoyed at the prospect of Esparza/Audra McDonald/Anne Hathaway fangirls that will now rush to see a play they otherwise wouldn't have bothered with. I have a huge pet peeve when it comes to people seeing a play (and a classic, at that) ONLY for a given actor. If it takes a particular performer to get someone to support Shakespeare in the Park, they shouldn't call themselves theatre lovers to begin with.

Well Chica, darling, you can see a production of "Twelfth Night" just about anywhere. The casting is the reason to see this particular production.

That said.... YES, YES, YESSSSSS to this casting!

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Orsino may not be one of Shakespeare's overtly fascinating creations, but he's far from a dull, "nothing" character. I've seen many productions that play on Orsino's sexual ambiguity, and it makes for a fascinating character study

That's what I mentioned in the now-deleted rumor thread. Any Shakespeare is dull when it's played as nothing more than lines on a page, but Shakespeare left so much room for interpretation that unfortunately goes unused so often.


Anne Hathaway in Shakespeare. Hee.

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Updated On: 4/15/09 at 04:58 PM

I LOVE Raul , but I HATE Shakespeare. This is bittersweet.

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