OpenStage production finds the fun in Shakespeare’s rom-com

After a beautiful evening watching OpenStage Theatre’s production of Twelfth Night, I returned home to my bed listening to the building storm outside. Along with being grateful that the storm held, allowing us to view the entirety of the play held outside in The Park at Columbine Health Center in Fort Collins, I found myself musing on the title of this well-known, popular comedy by Shakespeare.

In Director Debbie Swann’s director’s note, she writes about how Twelfth Night refers to the Christian holiday that occurs 12 days after Christmas. Known as The Eve of Epiphany, the event is usually celebrated with a little cutting loose, and maybe even debauchery. From here, she notes, we get the colorful costumes and playful characters and exploration of love, gender and sexuality.

It’s remarkable that Shakespeare could have written a play so many, many years ago that resonates so profoundly today. With women playing the roles of men, and women characters pretending to be men, this play seamlessly fits into the gender-fluid conversations of 2024.

Set in the lovely and secluded Park at Columbine Heath Systems, Twelfth Night takes place on a small, unassuming stage decorated mostly with shrubs mostly there for characters to hide behind. Get there early to set up your chairs and grab something from the nearby food trucks — or pack a picnic.

Be aware of the rain threat. While we had a perfect June evening, you never know when rain might cancel the whole performance. Indeed, the June 14 performance was scrubbed due to weather, and I remember one year when it took me three times to get through a whole performance. Such is the case for outdoor venues. Still worth it!

Photo: Aubrey Renee Photography

A fantastic fool

Standout performances in this production include Feste, the fool (Taylor Brotherton), who is on stage more than any other player. Together with her lovely voice and comedic timing (as any fool must have), Brotherton stole the show.

That voice lends itself to the exciting and surprising music selection throughout the play. Swann mentions in her note having taken some liberties with the script, and it surely extends to the music that evokes that celebratory feel of a holiday.

Another standout was Viola/Cesario (Trisha Gillin) who does a great job playing the double role as the male attendant of Orsino (Brian Wilcox) and the identical fraternal twin sister of Sebastian (Bas Meindertsma).

She makes the plan to be Orsino’s male attendant in an effort to get closer to him in the hope that somehow the two can fall in love. However, her role as his attendant includes wooing Olivia (Molly McGuire) on behalf of Orsino. This ends up backfiring in the most hilarious way.

More laughs come from Sir Toby Belch (a fitting last name for this drunk), played by Steven P Sickles. Toby is the cousin of Olivia and he has his own ideas of who should be wooing her. It is all of these schemes and seeming love triangles that make this such a fun and adventurous comedy.

With the characters at times speaking directly to the audience and the fool roaming about the crowd, this is a real interactive experience. You are not just viewing the play, you feel like you are a part of it, making for a unique night of theatre on top of the fun venue.

We are so lucky our little city has Shakespeare in the park. Indeed, these are my favorite OpenStage shows to attend. As one of the bard’s most fun and approachable comedies, Twelfth Night is a great intro to anyone new to Shakespeare, and the added al fresco element makes it an even more special night at the theatre.