Daniel Sullivan, the Tony-winning director of Proof, directed the Public Theater production, which began performances June 10 and officially opened June 25.
Academy Award-nominated actress Hathaway ("Rachel Getting Married") stars as Viola, who washes onto the verdant shores of Illyria and endeavors to disguise herself as a pageboy in the service of Duke Orsino, portrayed by four-time Tony nominee Raúl Esparza (Company, Speed-the-Plow). Disguised as Cesario, Viola finds herself the object of Lady Olivia's giddy affections, played by four-time Tony winner Audra McDonald (110 in the Shade, Master Class, Ragtime). When Viola's twin brother Sebastian, Stark Sands (Journey's End), is also swept onto Illyria's shores, Shakespeare's midsummer madness ensues.
Twelfth Night is also populated with comic turns from Tony-winning actress Julie White (The Little Dog Laughed) as Maria, two-time Tony nominee David Pittu (What's That Smell?) as the fool Feste, Hamish Linklater (The Busy World Is Hushed) as Sir Andrew Aguecheek, Jay O. Sanders (Midsummer Night's Dream) as Sir Toby Belch, Michael Cumpsty (Sunday in the Park with George) as Malvolio, as well as Herb Foster (A Midsummer Night's Dream) as Valentine, Kevin Kelly (Much Ado About Nothing) as Sea Captain, Baylen Thomas (Cyrano de Bergerac) as Curio and Jon Patrick Walker (Young Frankenstein) as Fabian.
Completing the ensemble are Charles Borland, Andrew Crowe, Steve Curtis, Clifton Duncan, David Kenner, Leslie Harrison, Slate Holmgren, Christopher Layer, Robin LeMon, Dorien Makhloghi, Ray Rizzo, Julie Sharbutt and Zach Villa.
Joining in the merriment are the Brooklyn-based folk-rock band Hem, who composed the original score for this incarnation of Twelfth Night. Band members include vocalist Sally Ellyson, pianist Dan Messe and guitarists Gary Maurer and Steve Curtis. The production team includes John Lee Beatty (scenic design), Jane Greenwood (costume design), Peter Kaczorowski (lighting design), Acme Sound Partners (sound design), Rick Sordelet (fight director) and Mimi Lieber (choreography).
Shakespeare in the Park previously staged Twelfth Night in 2002, starring Jimmy Smits, Julia Stiles, Kathryn Meisle and Zach Braff. Additional stagings have featured Jeff Goldblum and Michelle Pfeiffer (1989); Kim Greist, F. Murray Abraham and Peter MacNicol (1986); and Barbara Barrie and Ralph Waite (1969).
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The closest entrances to the Delacorte are located at 81st Street and Central Park West or 70th Street and Fifth Avenue.
