MINE IS YOURS TO REMOUNT TWELFTH NIGHT AT HOLLYWOOD FRINGE

Twelfth Night, or what you will...

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

MINE IS YOURS TO REMOUNT TWELFTH NIGHT AT HOLLYWOOD FRINGE
“Many a good hanging prevents a bad marriage.” – Maria, Twelfth Night

Mine is Yours Theatre Company to remount their enchanting production of Twelfth Night, or What You Will… directed by Christopher W. Jones as part of the Hollywood Fringe Festival, June 8-28, 2014. Twelfth Night: a story of gender confusion, love unrequited, a jock strap, a drunk and a harmonium, played by four women and two dudes, accompanied by a goddess of love and music.

This fast-paced production, performed all in one 90-minute act, evolves from a storybook fairytale into a complex, contemporary pursuit of love and revenge, exploring the tempestuous fury of affection not returned. The production embraces the music of Shakespeare’s poetry, and Liz Eldridge enhances (never overwhelming) the story by masterfully scoring the lines of verse with original music, armed with myriad of instruments including a ukulele, an omnichord, a harmonium, and a kazoo.

MiY’s Twelfth Night boasts a virtuosic, female-driven six-person cast, who dive into dozens of fiery quick changes and impossible entrances, taking “mistaken identity” to a whole new level. At one point Sir Toby and Sebastian (both Grams) engage in an epic bout of hand-to-hand combat, as Sir Andrew bursts in on Olivia (both Schneider) professing her love to Cesario, while Orsino chases after a furious Malvolio (both Greenwood) in a dizzying and dazzling comic display!

“The double casting didn’t only give us extra opportunities for hilarity.” Producer Hannah Pell wrote, “The relationships in Twelfth Night are some of Shakespeare’s richest and most complex, and double casting allowed us to explore deeper facets of those relationships.”

The character doubling was chosen with this in mind: For example Schneider’s characters, Sir Andrew and Olivia, have the opposite relationship trajectory with Cesario: Olivia growing madly in love with Cesario, but Sir Andrew growing to despise Cesario and ultimately challenging him to a duel. And Grams’ and Myer’s two characters relationships mirror each other so much that at one point Sir Toby and Maria engage in a passionate make-out session only to be interrupted by the well-timed arrival of Sebastian and Antonio (both couples played by Grams and Meyer!).

Producer Mary Ellen Schneider added, “Another fascinating aspect of this work is the coupling at the end of the play. Several of the characters marry someone other than whom they had courted for the entirety of the play, which begs the questions: Are those characters happy with their lot in the end? Or do they yearn for their original love, pondering the path not chosen?” And these uncertainties are only heightened by the character doubling.

MiY’s first run of Twelfth Night was in January of this year, and was met with overwhelming enthusiasm and support for an extension. The original production was performed guerilla-style where the most important ceremonies of life – marriages and funerals – are performed: a wedding chapel! Producer Hannah Pell explained, “More than any other Shakespeare comedy that I can think of, this one seems to specifically look at how life and death exist side by side, and the chapel was perfect for that.”

PRAISE FROM THE ORIGINAL RUN INCLUDES:

- “Impressive”, “fresh and emotionally-grounded” – Rachel Bloom, TV writer and comedian.
- One audience member mentioned about the character doubling, “At the end of the final scene I found myself expecting all the other characters to come out on stage!”
- Another commented: “Popped my Twelfth Night cherry. I was blown away… Spectacular.”

WHAT: Twelfth Night, or What You Will…

WHO: Mine is Yours theatre company
By William Shakespeare, Directed by Christopher W. Jones
Featuring:
Hayley Brown as Viola (and Cesario)
Nate Grams as Sebastian and Sir Toby
Chris Greenwood as Orsino and Malvolio
Katelyn Myer as Antonio and Maria
Hannah Pell as Feste, Captain, Valentine, Fabian, Priest, and Officer
Mary Ellen Schneider as Olivia and Sir Andrew

WHEN: June 8 at 2pm – Preview, June 13 at 7:30pm, June 20 at 10pm, June 22 at 10:30pm, June 27 at 5pm, June 28 at 9:30pm

ABOUT: Twelfth Night: a story of gender confusion, love unrequited, a jock strap, a drunk, and a harmonium, played by four women and two dudes, with one fabulous lady musician.

WHERE: The Actor’s Company, The Other Space
916 A North Formosa Avenue, West Hollywood, CA 90046
(Parking available in lot and on street.)

TICKETS: $10 (discounts available for Fringe participants)

WEBSITE: www.hff14.org/1656, www.MineisYourstc.com

CONTACT: Hannah Pell, Executive Director
310-739-8065, [email protected]