Opening night for Beyond The Page Theatre Company’s production of Twelfth Night the Musical, an adaptation of Shakespeare by Shaina Taub, took place Feb. 15, 2025. For a show that only costs $10 for students and $15 for adults, it absolutely made my evening.
The students involved in the preparation often amaze me with their creativity, utilizing fairly simple tools to create a compelling and entertaining narrative. Each song and dance captured my attention, either making me laugh, giving me chills, or both all at the same time. Props and costumes helped create hilarious bits or reflect the roles of the characters, such as Cesario’s plain clothes versus the ostentatious garb of Orsino. The set was dynamic, with a well-done use of set items like chairs and fake bushes creating a good visual shift that immersed the audience in the scene.
While some of the Shakespearean language could be hard to understand, a majority of the show highlighted the comedic absurdity of Shakespeare’s tales outside the barriers of unfamiliar vernacular. I advise taking a look all around the stage during various portions of the performance, as some of the background characters do some absolutely hilarious things (I see you, lords in waiting!).
The actors took these interesting characters and turned them into life-like people, delivering lines well and reacting to the events transpiring aptly. Olivia, Orsino, and Cesario/Viola were especially good at portraying lovesickness, helping to make a romantic comedy actually romantic, meanwhile the events of their lives kept it hilarious and absurd.
I highly recommend this show as a mood lifter. I’m not one for romance, but the humor and story were delightful. The music was lovely, reflecting the poetic verses of Shakespeare that continue to resonate throughout time. My personal favorite was “Greatness,” a hilarious self-righteous song.
Don’t miss the show! Pick a date to see it and add it to your calendar.
