Chronicle Online 3/29: "Twelfth Night" gives a good laugh

"Twelfth Night" gives a good laugh

By Gina Leyba
Correspondent

Love triangles, deception and unrequited love: These common Shakespearean elements
were prevalent in the student production of the light-hearted comedy "Twelfth Night."

The story takes place during the Renaissance as a young woman named Viola finds her
way to the city of Illyria and sets her sights on Duke Orsino, who is enamored with Olivia, a
wealthy lady. Viola disguises herself as a man and calls herself "Caesario" in order to be close to
Orsino. Ceasario is mortified to learn that Olivia has fallen for him, uh, her. Olivia is unaware
that it is Viola disguised as a man.

Olivia’s maid tricks the steward, Malvolio, into believing that Olivia has fallen for him.
His antics cause him to be mistaken for a madman and he is condemned to prison.

Christopher Walsh and Shana Montanez were the scene stealers of the show. Walsh gave
a stellar performance as Olivia's drunken uncle, Sir Toby; and Montanez, as Feste, sang and
danced and captured the audience’s attention. Walsh enjoys playing roles in Shakespearean
theater. He played Oberon, the king of the fairies, in another student production of "A
Midsummer Night's Dream." This role was Montanez's first to sing and dance in a lead part. She
has done other singing in showcases throughout her time at Columbia. Walsh and Montanez
have talent that should not be overlooked.

The performance by Goodman Theater actor Tom Mula, as the "notoriously abused"
Malvolio, had the audience roaring with laughter while he was being fooled by his peers. His
behavior as he is recognized as a mad man was hysterical.

The sword fights were dramatic and beautifully choreographed by David Whoolley.

"Twelfth Night" was not one of the standard Shakespearean texts and, therefore, many
audience members wondered what this tale was about. The work should be a required reading
because of it's light-hearted, humorous styl for those who want to see the lighter side of Shakespeare.