Twelfth Night

by WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE
directed by TOM QUAINTANCE
Wurtele Thrust Stage

A romantic Shakespeare comedy

When a shipwrecked Viola washes up on Illyria’s shores without her twin brother, she must adapt to her strange new surroundings on her own. For safety, she disguises herself as a man and quickly finds favor and employment with the lovesick Orsino, who pines for Olivia’s devotion. After a series of mishaps and plenty of mayhem, their love triangle becomes so entangled it brings all of Illyria along for the ride. When at last the truth is revealed, the Bard’s starry-eyed tale proves that the revelry of love is something worth fighting for.

Three things to know

  • Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night is equal parts romance and comedy, but this production skews more toward love (and not just of the romantic variety).
  • There may be contemporary elements, but the story isn’t set in the modern world. Expect live music, beauty and delight … but no cell phones.  
  • The ensemble cast, featuring 10 local actors, supports what director Tom Quaintance describes as an “actor-driven” event.

Ticket prices

Prices range from $25 to $79.

Pro tip: Preview performances start at $15 (February 8–13). Hurry, these go quickly! 

Detailed pricing

Run time 

Approximately 2 hours, 45 minutes (including intermission)

Content advisory 

This production contains haze, strobe lights and popping latex balloons.

For a detailed summary of key sensory moments, download our Sensory Guide.

Venue info

Twelfth Night will take place on the Wurtele Thrust Stage.

Pro tip: Can't do stairs or have a special seating request? Call the Box Office for details. 

Accessibility

ASL-interpreted, audio-described and open-captioned performances are available on select dates.

Learn More about Accessibility

Play guide 

Want to dig deeper into this story? Download the play guide

Video

Feature

From a moat of water to a swoon-worthy swing, our Production Team constructed the playground of our dreams for Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night.

Feature

Twelfth Night has never been so timely.

In the news

Review

"There’s nothing timid about this Twelfth Night … It’s an outstanding production, one in which everything seems to go right.”

Read the full MinnPost review. 

Review 

“The all-local cast is uniformly strong, and most importantly, the actors know how to work effectively in a comic ensemble.”

Read the full City Pages review. 

Feature

"Classical MPR's John Birge sat down with composer Sartje Pickett to sample the new songs [for Twelfth Night], which honor both contemporary sounds and the ancient spirit of this classic comedy of romance and mistaken identity.”

Listen to the interview 

Photos

Sally Wingert, Sarah Jane Agnew and Joy Dolo in Twelfth Night. Photo by Dan Norman. 

Sally Wingert and Emily Gunyou Halaas in Twelfth Night. Photo by Dan Norman. 

Sally Wingert, Sarah Jane Agnew, Luverne Seifert, Nate Cheeseman, Sun Mee Chomet in Twelfth Night. Photo by Dan Norman. 

Emily Gunyou Halaas, Sun Mee Chomet and Michael Hanna in Twelfth Night. Photo by Dan Norman. 

Nate Cheeseman and Emily Gunyou Halaas in Twelfth Night. Photo by Dan Norman. 

Jim Lichtscheidl in Twelfth Night. Photo by Dan Norman. 

Michael Hanna in Twelfth Night. Photo by Dan Norman. 

Artists

Cast

Sarah Jane Agnew

Maria

Nate Cheeseman

Orsino/Officer

Sun Mee Chomet

Olivia/Valentine

Joy Dolo

Sir Andrew/Captain

Tyson Forbes

Antonio/Musician

Emily Gunyou Halaas

Viola

Michael Hanna

Sebastian/Officer/Musician

Jim Lichtscheidl

Malvolio/Curio

Luverne Seifert

Feste

Sally Wingert

Sir Toby

View More

Creative

Placeholder for William Shakespeare

William Shakespeare

Playwright

Placeholder for Tom Quaintance

Tom Quaintance

Director

Naomi Dawson

Scenic Designer

Ann Closs-Farley

Costume Designer

Yi Zhao

Lighting Designer

Sartje Pickett

Sound Designer/Composer

Carla Steen

Resident Dramaturg

Jill Walmsley Zager

Resident Voice Coach

Carl Flink

Movement Director

Jason Clusman

Stage Manager

Jane E. Heer

Assistant Stage Manager

Jennifer Liestman

Resident Casting Director

Aaron Preusse

Resident Fight Director

View More

Education programs sponsored by

Explore more

2023‒2024 Season

Experience the extraordinary

Explore the Lineup about 2023‒2024 Season

Donate Now

Donate to support the Guthrie

Learn More about Donate Now

Guthrie Gift Certificates

A gift that gives back to the theater

Shop Today about Guthrie Gift Certificates
Call