Shakespeare’s ‘Twelfth Night’ Featured at Lakeside Amphitheater

COOPERSTOWN—William Shakespeare’s raucous comedy “Twelfth Night,” set during the turbulent roaring 20s, is currently being performed at Fenimore Art Museum. Showings take place on Wednesday and Thursday evenings through August 15 at 7 p.m., set against the backdrop of shimmering Otsego Lake at the museum’s Lucy B. Hamilton Amphitheater. Tickets are available in advance at FenimoreArt.org or at the venue immediately preceding the show.

Merriment, madness, and the music of love abound in “Twelfth Night,” one of Shakespeare’s funniest and most poignant comedies. Welcome to Port Illyria, 1929. Jazz, revelry and electric light fill the streets, while booze flows only in secretive, illicit taprooms. Viola, a young girl crossing the ocean in search of a new life, finds herself washed ashore in the harbor following a tragic accident aboard her steamship. She assumes a male disguise to ensure her safety in this strange new metropolis and quickly finds herself in the employ of the grand “Duke” himself, a nightclub owner named Orsino. As he sends her on a mission to deliver pleas of breathless love to a wealthy, grieving heiress named Olivia, Viola is forced to contend with Malvolio, the domineering overseer of her estate and rabidly dry teetotaler. But the bigger problem? Olivia swiftly falls in love with Viola instead…

This production is directed by Manager of Performing Arts Programs Michael Tamburrino and includes original music by Tim Iverson, choreography by Riley Bowen, and scenic art by Michael Henrici. “Twelfth Night” features performances by Gillian Canavan, Allie Tabor-Church, John Melvin, Liam Herbert, Tom Russo, Mark Murphy, Mary Fralick, Orion Palmer, Andrew Munro, Claire Nolan, Cait Liberati, Colleen Bunn, Emily Travisano and Tanner Griffin.

Visitors are welcome to bring blankets and chairs. Alcohol is not permitted on the premises. An alternate indoor location is available in the event of inclement weather. Those with specific questions about the performances can contact m.tamburrino@fenimoreart.org.

“Twelfth Night” is sponsored in part by The Clark Foundation, Allstadt Hardin Foundation, The Otsego County Board of Representatives, NYCM Insurance, Mr. Tom Morgan and Ms. Erna J. Morgan McReynolds, and Dr. Richard Sternberg.

Fenimore Art Museum is located at 5798 State Route 80, less than one mile from the center of Cooperstown. For more information, visit FenimoreArt.org.