Shakespeare's 'Twelfth Night' presented on May 6

York College students enrolled in a spring Shakespeare II course will present “Twelfth Night” at 7 p.m., May 6, in the Collegiate Performing Arts Center. The performance is open to the public free of charge.

The play begins in the land of Illyria, where Duke Orsino pines away for the beautiful Countess Olivia who does not return his love. On the Illyrian coast, a shipwrecked Viola is afraid for her twin brother, Sebastian, who is reported to have drowned. Alone in a strange land, Viola disguises herself as a young man, calls herself “Cesario,” and seeks employment with the Duke Orsino.

A comedy of fools played by fools, “Twelfth Night” achieves a darker side when a character is preyed upon. Poor Malvolio is the target of much cruel humiliation from Sir Toby, Sir Andrew and Maria. To bring back the light-heartedness of the play, many merry mix-ups occur between the characters and their disguises while multiple love affairs occur between male-female, male-male, and female-female relationships.

The cast of “Twelfth Night” features Sam Shea, sophomore theatre major from La Plata, Md., as Duke Orsino; Becca Jensen, junior professional writing major from Levittown, as Olivia; Caitlin Spivey, junior English literary studies major from Stewartstown, as Viola; John Beppler, junior theatre major from Scranton, as Sebastian; Ross Carmichael, senior theatre major from Railroad, as Malvolio; Brittne Giannone, junior elementary education major from York, as Sir Toby; Clayson Samuelsen, senior theatre major from York, as Sir Andrew; and Anna Schmitt, junior marketing major from Parkton, Md., as Maria.  Other cast members are Dan Geske, senior theatre major from Kensington, Md.; Chelsea Willbanks, junior English literary studies major from Crofton, Md.; Shandi Silk, senior secondary education-English major from York; Amanda Komara, sophomore psychology major from Johnstown; Nikki Rosencrans, sophomore theatre major from Vienna, Va.; Nicole Terranova, junior secondary education-English major from Middletown, Del.; Susanne Wolf, junior English literary studies major from Baltimore; and Casey Bossert, junior professional writing major from Baldwinsville, N.Y.

“Twelfth Night” is co-directed by Bossert, who is assisted by Tom Steele, junior secondary education-communication major from Red Lion, and Corie Thompson, sophomore nursing major from Ambler. Costumes are by Lizzie Pettigrew, junior English literary studies major from York, who is assisted by Kimberlee Kile, senior professional writing major from Mount Wolf, and Angela Pabon, senior secondary education-English major from Hanover. Sets are by Kayla Fisher, junior secondary education-English major from York, and Susanne Wolf; and lighting is by Katie Singleton, sophomore mass communications major from Chesapeake Beach, Md., assisted by Nathan Lippy, junior English literary studies major from Hanover.

Written by John Thiele ’13