Midsommer Flight’s perennial holiday production of TWELFTH NIGHT will return in December, in a new immersive “choose-your-own-path” concept to be directed by Kristina McCloskey and associate directed by Stephanie Mattos. Audiences will follow performers promenade-style from scene to scene over the entirety of the Conservatory, often having to choose which characters to follow or plot points to see. The press opening will be Friday, December 3 at 7:30 pm.
McCloskey’s staging will prove an exhilarating and illuminating way to enjoy the multiple plots of Shakespeare’s comedy. She says “So much of TWELFTH NIGHT’S humor comes from the wild swings from silly to serious. By choosing which characters to follow, audiences can enjoy the wide range of experiences as the characters would live them, meaning they will have only the perspectives of the characters they are following. Plots, secrets, and surprises will run amok - until the final scene when all is revealed and resolved.
‘I love presenting our audience with choices, and I love when those choices have consequences. Audience members who come to see this show with family or friends may make different choices, and then get to reunite at the end and share their experiences -- that, in my opinion, is the best part about immersive theatre. You may end up 'washed ashore' with Viola, or maybe you see a moment in mourning with Olivia. Orsino could send you along with Viola to deliver a message, or you may be invited to a secret late-night party hosted by Sir Toby. In this staging, you will get to explore Illyria in a very real way."
Another benefit to this immersive, promenade staging will be the chance to enjoy the beauty of the full conservatory, unlike the company’s previous productions which were staged in the Conservatory’s show room. The production will again include the original musical score by Elizabeth Rentfro and Alex Mauney from previous productions and additional music by Caroline Kidwell.
The cast, announced today, includes John Payne (they/them, Viola), Amy Malcom (she/her, Olivia), Polley Cooney (they/them, Orsino), Caroline Kidwell (she/her, Feste), Sonia Goldberg (she/her, they/them, Malvolio), Audrey Napoli (she/her, Sebastian and Understudy for Viola), Grant Brown (he/him, Sir Toby Belch and Understudy for Orsino), Tatiana Pavela (she/her, Maria and Understudy for Olivia), Lexy Hope Weixel (they/them, Sir Andrew Aguecheek and Understudy for Sir Toby Belch), Izis Mollinedo (she/her, they/them, Antonio and Understudy for Feste), Jillian Leff (she/her, Ensemble), Kristen Alesia (she/her, Ensemble and Understudy for Malvolio), Kathleen Mitchell (she/her, Ensemble Swing and Understudy for Antonio and Sir Andrew), Jack Bowes (they/them, Ensemble Swing and Understudy for Sebastian and Maria).
Top Row L-R: Grant Brown, Polley Cooney, Sonia Goldberg, Caroline Kidwell.
Second Row from Top L-R: Jillian Leff, Amy Malcom, Izis Mollinedo, Audrey Napoli.
Third Row from Top L-R: Tatiana Pavela, John Payne, Lexy Hope Weixel, Kristen Alesia.
Bottom Row L-R: Jack Bowes, Kathleen Mitchell.
The production staff is Kristina McCloskey (she/her, they/them, Director), Stephanie Mattos (she/her, Associate Director), Cindy Moon (she/her, Costume Designer), Nina D’Angier (she/her, they/them, Scenic and Props Designer), Elizabeth Rentfro (she/her, Music Director), Meredith Ernst (she/her, Text Captain), Hannah Beehler (she/her, Stage Manager), Amy Rappa (she/her, they/them, Assistant Stage Manager) and Jacob Shaffer (he/him, Assistant Stage Manager, Thomas Russell (he/him they/them, Fight Director), Jyreika Guest (she/her, Intimacy Director), Ben F. Locke (he/she/they, Casting Director), Beth Wolf (she/her, Producing Artistic Director), Dylan Roberts (he/him, COVID Safety Officer). Directors Kristina McCloskey and Stephanie Mattos are thrilled to be working with this cast and production team, who will bring their varied identities and lived experiences to create an entirely unique, new version of TWELFTH NIGHT.
Attendance will be limited to 30 persons per performance and as spaces are typically quick to fill up for the three-weekend run, advance reservations are strongly recommended. Reservations will be taken beginning November 1 at www.midsommerflight.com, and standby lists are kept to ensure all spaces are utilized.
COVID SAFETY MEASURES
Audience members must provide proof of vaccination and wear a mask throughout the performance. All cast and crew are vaccinated and will be masked backstage; actors will be unmasked while they are actively performing.
The production is part of Mayor Lori Lightfoot’s “Night Out in the Parks” initiative that provides world-class performances in Chicago's neighborhood parks throughout the year.
More information on the production can be found at https://www.midsommerflight.com
From Midsommer Flight's 2016 production of TWELFTH NIGHT. Photo by Tom McGrath, TCMcG Photography.
CHICAGOLAND MUSICAL THEATRE said of Midsommer Flight’s 2019 production, " With the beautiful backdrop of a lush greenhouse, Midsommer Flight has created something as magical as it is natural. For those with an insatiable itch for warmth, excitement, or “Shakespeare in the park” in the middle of December, TWELFTH NIGHT is must-see.”
Midsommer Flight’s TWELFTH NIGHT will play Thursdays through Sundays at 7:30 pm from December 2 – 19, 2021. The Lincoln Park Conservatory is located at 2391 Stockton Drive, Chicago. Due the heavy traffic and difficulty in finding parking near Lincoln Park during the holiday season, patrons are strongly advised to use public transportation. The Lincoln Park Conservatory is served by CTA buses #151 (to Stockton and Fullerton), and #22 and #36 (to Clark and Belden).
LISTING INFORMATION
TWELFTH NIGHT, OR WHAT YOU WILL
By William Shakespeare
Directed by Kristina McCloskey, Associate Directed by Stephanie Mattos
Original Music by Elizabeth Rentfro and Alex Mauney, Additional Music by Caroline Kidwell
December 2 - 19, 2021
Thursdays – Sundays @ 7:30 PM
PRESS OPENING Friday, December 3 at 7:30 PM
Show House room at the Lincoln Park Conservatory, 2391 Stockton Dr., Chicago
CTA buses #151 (to Stockton and Fullerton), and #22 and #36 (to Clark and Belden).
Tickets are pay-what-you-can and reservations are recommended due to limited seating – reservations will be available beginning November 1 through the Midsommer Flight website (www.midsommerflight.com).
Tickets: Pay-what-you-can. Suggested donation $30.00
Reservations strongly recommended at www.midsommerflight.com
ABOUT MIDSOMMER FLIGHT. Midsommer Flight produces high quality, accessible performances of Shakespeare’s plays in Chicago communities. Its vision is to create Shared Joy: the shared experience of a laugh, a gasp, or a cathartic cry; of an event that brings people together in community. Shared Joy is for everyone; the company is committed to creating an inclusive, diverse, equitable, and accessible (IDEA) environment for all, and more about the company’s IDEA work is available on its website. After the company’s well-received inaugural production of A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM in 2012, the Chicago City Council honored Midsommer Flight with a resolution praising “the Midsommer Flight theater troupe on their dedication to bringing the arts to underserved communities.” The company incorporated as a not-for-profit in the state of Illinois in early 2013 and has since produced ROMEO AND JULIET (2013), MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING (2014), MACBETH (2015), TWELFTH NIGHT (2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019), AS YOU LIKE IT (2016), HAMLET (2017), RICHARD III (2018), TWO GENTLEMEN OF VERONA (2018), CORIOLANUS (2019) and THE TEMPEST (2019). In 2019, Midsommer Flight was named a Finalist for the Broadway in Chicago Emerging Theatre Award for the third consecutive year, distinguishing itself for “demonstrat[ing] artistic excellence and fiscal responsibility” and “being on the verge of great growth.” Summer productions, performed in Chicago parks, are presented free of charge (donations gratefully accepted) and the annual TWELFTH NIGHT productions are pay-what-you-can. For more information visit www.midsommerflight.com.