The works of William Shakespeare offer a unique creative challenge to those brave enough to stage a production. With little to no stage directions in the original texts, directors have the freedom to experiment with the more technical aspects. Some take the liberty of constructing elaborate productions. Others will strip the scenes down to their essence: only actors and a stage.
“Twelfth Night” at Antaeus Theatre Company in Glendale is somewhere in between. Director Armin Shimerman and the actors are obviously very comfortable with the material. In his director's note, Shimerman states that he cast actors older than expected because “I firmly believe there's a glorious melancholy to older people facing their last chance at finding love.”
That decision pays off and gives the characters an extra shade of depth, as well as years of experience and talent to their performers. Viola (Liza Seneca) is accidentally wooed by Count Orsino (David DeSantos) and accidentally woos Lady Olivia (Veralyn Jones). Seneca has real chemistry with both Desantos and Jones in long scenes where she must either hide her affection for Orsino or try unsuccessfully to rebuff the advances of Olivia.
Jones gives a regal performance as Olivia. Her command of Shakespearian prose is undeniable. Sometimes crushed beneath her admiration of Viola’s alter ego Cesario, other times authoritative and composed, Jones makes herself the pivotal performer of the show.
Sir Toby (Rob Nagle) and Sir Andrew (Alberto Issac) together are laugh-out-loud funny. Nagle and Issac spend almost as much time on the floor as they do on their feet. The duo are audience favorites for the drunken antics of their characters.
Actor, composer and musician John Allee performs his wonderful music for piano while also playing the ever-present fool, Feste. Reminiscent of fast-talking vaudeville performers of old, Allee as Feste bounds across the stage singing and dancing before landing at the piano to play a lively number.
Joel Swetow shows incredible range in his version of Malvolio. Like Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, Malvolio transforms himself from the confidant and stern servant of Lady Olivia to the shriveled and anxious unrequited lover. In a sea of talent, Swetow manages to stand out.
The set is excellently conceived and executed by scenic designer Christopher Scott Murillo. The Antaeus’s mid-sized stage is dressed from end to end, with an interior scene on one side and an exterior scene on the other. A painted floor delineates the two halves of the stage. Backdrops are covered in detailed decoration, from stone walls with ivy to the wallpapered study of Count Orsino.
Although there is no direct reference to the time period, costumes (designed by Kate Bergh) suggest the turn of the 20th century. As impressive as the production design is, it never distracts from the performance. Instead, the stage is thoughtfully set for the actors to arrive and bring it to life.
“Twelfth Night” continues through March 17 at Antaeus Theatre Company in the Kiki & David Gindler Performing Arts Center, 110 East Broadway, Glendale, with performances Thursday and Friday at 8 p.m., Saturday at 2 p.m. and 8 p.m., Sunday at 2 p.m. and Monday at 8 p.m. For tickets and information, call the theatre at (818) 506-1983 or visit Antaeus.org. Run time is 2 hours and 40 minutes, including intermission.