Director Colonna also makes the most of the music in Twelfth Night, with melodies composed by Tom Chace for the songs which the clown, Feste, takes the lead on. Some are solos, some are harmonized, and one of them closes the play, with everyone joining in. Meryn Flynn, as Feste, is an eyeful of color — in her costume, accessories, and props. Her character has many a good speech, and she imbues them and the songs with hearty spirit, befitting a jester.
Other memorable moments are: Stephanie Carey's confident take on Fabiana, an attendant to Olivia; Mike Daniels's wiseguy-accented Antonio; Kathleen Bebeau's rough-and-tough sea captain; Adam Buxbaum's seduction scene with Olivia, who thinks Viola's twin brother Sebastian is the youth whom she loves; "Al Terego" (aka Colonna) as the hippie guru in yellow-tinted shades; and Evan Tessier as Sir Andrew Aguecheek, who Googles on his smartphone when he doesn't understand certain words.
That's just one among many modern references, and the juxtaposition with the Elizabethan text always draws laughs, as well as pulling the audience more tightly into the play . . . just as Shakespeare liked to do.
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Theater
, Twelfth Night, Shakespeare, Rhode Island Shakespeare Theater, More 
, Twelfth Night, Shakespeare, Rhode Island Shakespeare Theater, TRIST, Less 
