MONMOUTH – Theater at Monmouth’s 2018 Summer Repertory Season continues with William Shakespeare’s “Twelfth Night.” In this irresistible romantic comedy of mistaken identity, concealed truth, and comic revelation, the party rages, the laughter flows, and the festive music plays on. The revelry begins Thursday, July 5, at 7:30 p.m. and continues throughout the season including matinee and evening performances on both weekdays and weekends.

Orsino loves Olivia. Olivia loves Cesario. Cesario’s really a woman disguised as a man who’s fallen for her boss, Orsino. Love, and a little mischief, throws everyone for a loop in this comic jaunt of misdirected desire. Where music is the food of love, and nobody is quite what they seem, anything proves possible.

When siblings, Viola and Sebastian, are shipwrecked off the coastal region of Illyria, each believes the other to be dead. Viola disguises herself as a man to find employment but unintentionally catches the eye of Olivia, the beloved of her new employer, Duke Orsino. To make matters worse, Viola has fallen for the Duke. The situation gets complicated when Sebastian arrives on the scene and is quickly mistaken for his sister, the disguised Viola, and finds himself married to Olivia. Meanwhile, Sir Toby Belch and Sir Andrew Aguecheek are wreaking havoc among the servants with no less need for illusion, confusion, and concealment. In the end, most things work out and everyone at least gets their just desserts.

Director Kristin Clippard has set the production in Olivia’s garden and conservatory which exists loosely in the 1890’s. It is the Victorian era in America, one of strict social etiquette, and muted celebration. She further explains, “The play examines revelry, grief, loyalty, gender roles, and raw emotion by celebrating mayhem. The story is relevant today because we can relate to the emptiness, the need to grieve, the fear of being alone and wanting to be loved, and the desire to revel without restriction.” Even though the play begins with a disaster, it is eventually overcome by through playful joy that exudes from disguises, tricks, and merry lovemaking.

“Twelfth Night” features Bill Van Horn as Sir Toby; James Hoban as Malvolio; Jake Loewenthal as Antonio/ Captain; Mark Cartier as Sir Andrew; Kedren Spencer as Olivia; Janis Stevens as Maria; KP Powell as Feste; Marshall Taylor Thurman as Orsino; Ryan Broussard as Sebastian; Katie Croyle as Viola; Alexandra Curren as Valentine/ Officer/ Priest; and Kevin Aoussou as Fabian/ Curio. Set design by Miranda Friel, costume design by Stephanie Peters, lighting design by Daniel Taylor, sound design by Rew Tippin, and fight direction by Leighton Samuels.

Performance calendar: opening Friday, July 6 at 7:30 p.m.; additional “Twelfth Night” performance dates are July 5, 14, 18, 31; Aug. 10, 18, at 7:30 p.m. and Aug. 2, 11, and 19 at 1 p.m. On July 22 at 7 p.m. a post-show discussion will follow the performance. For reservations call the Box Office at 207-933-9999 or visit www.theateratmonmouth.org.

TAM season passes offer up to 25 percent off the single ticket price and exclusive benefits such as priority seating and free ticket exchanges. Gold, Flex, General, or Senior Passes are available for purchase. Single tickets for the summer repertory and fall show are $34 for adults, $29 for senior citizens, and $20 for students (18 and under). Groups of 10 or more can enjoy TAM shows at up to a 22 percent discount. Groups may also schedule pre-or post-show discussions with tours of historic Cumston Hall.