UWF Theatre presents “Twelfth Night”

The University of West Florida Department of Theatre presents William Shakespeare’s “Twelfth Night.” Performances will be held Feb. 13-15 and Feb. 20-22 with shows at 7:30 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays and 2:30 p.m. on Sundays. All performances will take place in the Mainstage Theatre of the Center for Fine and Performing Arts, Building 82, on the Pensacola campus.

A beloved classic, “Twelfth Night” remains one of Shakespeare’s most iconic romantic comedies, featuring love, laughter and above all, secrets. Surviving a harrowing shipwreck and believing her closest companion and brother to be dead, Viola assumes a new identity as a boy, Cesario, to survive her new reality in a foreign land. But when she meets the Duke, who tasks her with wooing his love, Olivia, chaos and confusion ensue. As Olivia’s love for Cesario blooms, Viola must grapple with her budding love for the Duke and the seeming loss of her brother Sebastian. This production contains non-traditional casting as well as adult themes and situations that may not be suitable for all audiences.

Director Darryl Thompson Norton brings this production to the stage alongside a team of UWF faculty and students. Thompson Norton is an adjunct professor of theatre history. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Theatre from UWF and a Master of Fine Arts in Theatre Performance from the University of Florida. He remains an active performer and theatre historian, having received multiple acting awards and grant funding for his theatre history work. His areas of study are Ancient Greek and Roman theatre, Commedia dell’ arte and Shakespearean theatre.

Returning to UWF after 25 years of theatre experience, Darryl is thrilled to be back at his alma mater. “The students here are so dedicated to the craft,” said Thompson Norton. “It is an absolute pleasure to be a part of their development and passion for the theatre.”

General admission ticket prices are $20 per person for adults, $16 per person for senior citizens and active military, $14 per person for non-UWF students and UWF faculty and staff, and $7 for high school students. All paid ticket purchases are subject to a $2 service fee. UWF students are admitted free with their Nautilus cards. Tickets can be purchased at the CFPA Box Office, Building 82, by calling 850.857.6285 or online at uwf.edu/tickets.