William Shakespeare’s “Twelfth Night” Play in a Park (June 9-25)

Submitted by the Event Organizer

Jun 9-25, Thursdays-Sundays at 7:00 PM

Coming to the great lawn at Willow Street Frank Bramhall Park, is William Shakespeare’s romantic comedy, TWELFTH NIGHT (o NOCHE DE REYES), about shipwrecked twins, Viola and Sebastian, and the pandemonium and hijinks that ensue when they are separated by that state of tumult. But what makes this production unique?

Think Telemundo meets Shakespeare meets the award-winning television melodrama, “Jane the Virgin.” Those are just some of the mashed-up motifs you can expect as an audience member of Silicon Valley Shakespeare’s annual free summer Shakespeare presentation in Willow Glen, San Jose.

“Shipwrecks, mistaken identities, love triangles, and duplicitous letters pervade both Shakespeare and the larger-than-life world of telenovelas,” explain Co-directors Ivette Deltoro and Erin Southard. “Both worlds allow for entertainment alongside sitting in discomfort.”

Viola is shipwrecked, loses her twin brother, and lands on an unfamiliar shore. But with determination and ingenuity, she follows her heart in search of a fresh start, finding love and life, both new and old. Set against the backdrop of an hacienda in modern-day Mexico, this telenovela take on the Bard’s playful classic highlights the rom-com elements of the show in a delightful and accessible way for the whole familiar.

But the telenovela twist is not just a gimmick. “In our artistic concepts and in our casting, it is Silicon Valley Shakespeare’s goal to represent and reach as many members of our community as possible,” add SVS Executive Director Annalisa Tkacheff and Artistic Director Angie Higgins. “We recognize and celebrate the power of representation and are committed to continuing to elevate marginalized voices and cultivate cultural diversity.”

TWELFTH NIGHT will have a special ASL-interpreted performance on Saturday, June 17th, including ushers who use American Sign Language.

Presented by Silicon Valley Shakespeare

Disclaimer: Please double check event information with the event organizer as events can be canceled, details can change after they are added to our calendar, and errors do occur.