Interludes

THE HANGOVER REPORT – Public Works’ musical adaptation of TWELFTH NIGHT is a joyous affair at the Delacorte

• By drediman
• September 5, 2016
• No Comments

Jose Llana and Nikki M. James in Public Works’ musical adaptation of “Twelfth Night”

Kwame Kwei-Armah and Shaina Taub’s jubilant, very loose musical adaptation of Twelfth Night marks the fourth year Public Works – under the auspices of the Public Theater – is bringing summer to an official close at the Delacorte Theater in Central Park. As in previous years, Public Works has the ambitious task of assembling an amateur and professional cast of more than one hundred performers from across the city’s five boroughs. The results are joyous.

Although the adaptation retains Shakespeare’s plot, there is perhaps more of Mr. Kwei-Armah and Ms. Taub’s DNA in the production. Given the wide range of performance experience of their large cast, the adaptors have wisely veered away from producing a radical or truly insightful piece of theater. Instead, they’ve concocted a free-wheeling, straightforward 100-minute joyride.

The score for this year’s offering is by Ms. Taub, taking over from Todd Almond, who was responsible for the scores for the previous Public Works productions. I would argue that Ms. Taub’s eclectic and mostly irresistible work is the most accomplished of the Public Works scores thus far (not to take away from Mr. Almond’s emotive past contributions). Her music hall numbers for Malvolio, in particular, exhibit sublime theatrical flair.

Mr. Kwei-Armah’ breezy direction is a delight, and he handles the considerable onstage crowds with confidence. His principal performers are also fabulous. Nikki M. James gives a beautifully calibrated performance as Viola, imbuing the character with a depth that’s not always so apparent in the adaptation. Andrew Kober is absolutely delicious as Malvolio, nearly stealing the show with his production numbers. Jose Llana and Nanya-Akuki Goodrichmake for sensual yet regal Orsino and Olivia, respectively. Lastly, as the narrator of the piece, Ms. Taub is a natural, gently pointed stage presence and an utter charmer.

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TWELFTH NIGHT
Off-Broadway, Play
Public Works at the Delacorte Theater (The Public Theater)
1 hour, 45 minutes (without an intermission)
Through September 5