Cheshire Town Players Bring Shakespeare's Twelfth Night to Bartlem Park

CHESHIRE, Conn. — Love, laughter, music, mistaken identities, and one unforgettable summer evening come together as Cheshire Town Players presents William Shakespeare's beloved comedy Twelfth Night at the Bartlem Park Bandshell. Audiences are invited to enjoy free outdoor performances of one of Shakespeare's most joyful and enduring plays.

Following a shipwreck, the resourceful Viola is separated from her twin brother, Sebastian, and disguises herself as the young man Cesario in order to survive in the land of Illyria. What follows is a delightfully tangled web of mistaken identities, unrequited love, comic mischief, and heartfelt revelations. Duke Orsino pines for the Countess Olivia, Olivia falls for Cesario, and Viola secretly falls for Orsino, creating one of Shakespeare's most charming romantic entanglements. Meanwhile, the pompous steward Malvolio becomes the target of an outrageous prank orchestrated by the boisterous Sir Toby Belch, clever Maria, Fabian, Sir Andrew Aguecheek, and the ever-watchful fool, Feste. As Sebastian's unexpected arrival throws Illyria into even greater confusion, the story races toward a joyful conclusion celebrating love, forgiveness, and the importance of seeing one another for who we truly are.

The production features Brett Aiello as Count Orsino, Stephanie Aiello as Viola, Noelle Fair as Olivia, Francis McLaughlin as Sebastian, Zackary Moreau as Antonio, David Sherman as Feste, Sean-Heather McGraw as Sir Toby Belch, Jennifer Edwards as Maria, David Finessi as Malvolio, Drake Snyder as Sir Andrew Aguecheek, Cassady Rupert as Fabian, Colette Gardner as Curio, Kailey Matcheson as Valentine, Richard Kelpen as the Sea Captain and Priest, and Peter Blagys as the Officer.

Director Lynne Gannon believes Shakespeare's plays remain as meaningful today as they were more than four centuries ago. "Shakespeare's plays can be both accessible and relevant," she said. "The stories are familiar and the themes are timeless. With careful respect for the poetry, we pare down the script to a more manageable length, then eliminate or translate archaic words or references. The result, I hope, is Shakespeare for everyone."

This production places a special emphasis on one of the play's central motifs: music. Opening with the famous line, "If music be the food of love, play on," Twelfth Night explores how music shapes emotion just as powerfully as love itself. Gannon notes that while the comedy delights audiences with disguises, romance, and laughter, it also asks what true love really looks like. Through Viola's steadfast devotion and Antonio's unwavering loyalty, Shakespeare reminds us that genuine love is patient, selfless, and enduring.

Presented outdoors in the beautiful Bartlem Park Bandshell, the production also marks Cheshire Town Players' continued commitment to reviving the tradition of free summer Shakespeare in Cheshire. Now completing just its second season, the company hopes to build on that tradition by offering accessible, high-quality theatre for audiences throughout the region.

"We are thrilled to help bring outdoor Shakespeare back to Cheshire," said Gannon. "We've been fortunate to assemble an outstanding cast, most of whom are from Cheshire and neighboring communities, along with an incredible team of volunteers who have made this production possible."

Cheshire Town Players extends its gratitude to the Town of Cheshire, Cheshire Parks and Recreation, Artsplace, the Connecticut Community Empowerment Foundation, and the many volunteers whose support has helped bring Twelfth Night to the stage.

Whether you're a lifelong Shakespeare enthusiast or experiencing his work for the first time, Twelfth Night offers an evening filled with laughter, romance, memorable music, and timeless storytelling under the summer sky.

Twelfth Night
Bartlem Park Bandshell
Cheshire, Connecticut

Performances:
Friday, August 14 at 5:00 p.m.
Saturday, August 15 at 5:00 p.m.
Sunday, August 16 at 5:00 p.m.

Admission is free. Audiences are encouraged to bring lawn chairs or blankets and enjoy an evening of live outdoor theatre.

In the event of inclement weather, performances will move indoors to The Reading Room at the Watch Factory Shoppes, located upstairs at 134 Elm Street, Cheshire, CT 06410. Updates regarding weather-related venue changes will be announced through Cheshire Town Players' social media channels prior to each performance.