The Parker School Dramatiques club opens its production of “Twelfth Night,” or “As You Will,” at 7 p.m. Friday at the historic Parker School Theatre. The production runs Fridays and Saturdays at 7 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m. through Oct. 27.
Here’s the plot, as told in this particular rendition of the Shakespeare classic On the island of Illyria, noble Orsino pines away for the love of the beautiful and famous Olivia who mourns her dead brother and refuses any proposals of marriage. Meanwhile, a storm has caused a terrible shipwreck and Viola finds herself alone in this strange land with no family and no means of livelihood. She disguises herself as a man and goes to work for Orsino. Now disguised as Cesario, Viola finds herself falling in love with Orsino — a difficult love to pursue, as Orsino believes her to be a man. Then Olivia herself falls for the beautiful young Cesario and the love triangle is complete. Among the many tricksters, musicians and fools, their story unfolds in William Shakespeare’s delightful comedy of romance and mistaken identities.
The play was adapted by Parker drama and dance teacher and director of the show, Angela Alforque. The island of Illyria in this version evokes World War II-era Hawaii and stars junior Jaren Ashcraft in the role of Orsino, senior Isabella Robertson as Olivia, and sophomore Sarah Bellatti as Viola. Dramatiques is Parker’s ongoing after-school drama program open to sixth through twelfth grade students.
Tickets are available at the door or by reservation and are $10 for adults and $5 for students. Get $1 off the ticket price with a donation of one canned food item for Parker School’s ‘Ohana Day Canned Food Drive. For more information or to reserve tickets, contact Angela Alforque at aalforque@parkerschoolhawaii.org or call 885-7933, ext. 7128.