Twelfth Night (Pig Iron Theatre Company) – Location, Tickets, Reviews
Philadelphia’s Pig Iron Theatre Company returns to New York with a loud, raucous, exuberantly fun production of Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night. The oft-revived story of love, mistaken identities, and trickery is given new life here with hipster beards, pratfalls, an on-stage slide, and one hell of a brass band. Though decidedly contemporary, this Twelfth Night, which has seen multiple runs in Philly, is also traditional at heart, an accessible rendition that honors Shakespeare’s language while having a lot of silly fun.
Maxamoo
We know, we know – the city is flush with Twelfth Night productions right now, including the remarkable Twelfth Night uptown, starring Tony-winner Mark Rylance and Stephen Fry in an all-male English import done in traditional Elizabethan garb. But don’t overlook Pig Iron’s Twelfth Night at the Abrons Art Center. It is decidedly different from any version we’ve seen and it is excellent.
Masterfully conceived and directed by Dan Rothenberg with a cast to die for of actors from Philly and NYC, this Twelfth Night is stupid fun. We especially loved Chris Thorn as Malvolio, one of the best we’ve seen. Shakespeare’s poetry has never been more clear, and his humor rarely better executed.
If you think Shakespeare’s comedy and pathos can only be appreciated by nose-upturned smarty-pants types, get yourself to the Abrons Arts Center and be prepared to laugh your ass off and be swept away by Twelfth Night’s love stories. Oh, and the music is incredible, as scored by Rosie Langabeer and performed by a wicked, roving Balkan brass band. This Twelfth Night made us realize that Shakespeare was a hell of a songwriter too.
Public Opinion
Twitter is in love with this production of Twelfth Night:
@jamiealyse: “If you like fun and/or Shakespeare, go see Pig Iron’s Twelfth Night in NYC. With twins who actually look alike & the saddest Malvolio ever.”
@culturebotNYC: “Pig Iron’s “Twelfth Night” is Perfect http://goo.gl/fb/7sjQb #etcetera #abronsartscenter #alextorra #birgithuppuch“
Have you seen Twelfth Night? What did you think? Comment below or tweet to us at @Maxamoo.
Critics’ Reviews
Not many New York critics have seen the show so we included a few reviews from the Philly press about earlier runs of the show there.
NYC Production
New York Theatre Review
Pig Iron’s Twelfth Night captures the giddy extremes of romantic beguilement, taking us along for its wild spin on the dance floor.
TheaterMania
Shipwrecks, drag, and Balkan brass: Philadelphia’s Pig Iron Theatre Company brings their athletic and musical vision of Shakespeare to the Lower East Side.
Time Out
Philly’s wily Pig Iron turns the Bard’s romantic comedy into a Slavic party.
Village Voice
Pig Iron’s Twelfth Night Plays Up the Comedy
Philadelphia Production
Philadelphia Inquirer
“A wild rumpus of a show”
Philadelphia City Paper
“Pig Iron’s Twelfth Night is true to Shakespeare (a good thing), and truly Pig Iron (a very good thing)”
TICKETS
$30.00 – $40.00 (click here for tickets)
DATES
Performances through February 23, 2014
LOCATION
Abrons Arts Center
466 Grand Street
New York City
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RUNNING TIME
3 hours, 1 intermission
CAST & CREW
(partial list)
Written by William Shakespeare
Original Music by Rosie Langabeer
Directed by Dan Rothenberg
Featuring Birgit Huppuch, Jaime Maseda, Mark McCloughan, Charleigh E. Parker, Andy Paterson, Richard Ruiz, Kristen Sieh, Charles Socarides, James Sugg, Chris Thorn, Alex Torra & Dito van Reigersberg