Twelfth Night: Noise Within Inaugural Gala
The opening of a new theatre is something to celebrate. Julia Rodriguez-Elliot and her husband Jeff Elliot have succeeded where others have failed. After some twenty years of producing quality classical theatre in a Masonic Temple in Glendale they have managed to forge a loyal audience that was willing to participate of their dream of having a permanent professional theatre. Through persistence and endless fundraising in this austere climate, they raised the needed money and built a state-of-the-art theatre, a 33,00 square-foot space, enough for rehearsal room, dressing room, office space, and room for their classes and outreach. The theatre seats 283 patrons and on opening night on Saturday October 29th, there wasn’t a seat to be had in this glorious space.
The opening show for this their 20th season in their new home they choose one of Shakespeare’s celebratory works, Twelfth Night set in an exotic pre- Castro Cuba. The setting did little more than provide an excuse for intoxicating carnival music and lots of hip movement by the ladies in the cast. The simple but serviceable set was by the talented Kurt Boetcher with costumes by Angela Balogh Calin and lights by Ken Booth. Julia Rodriguez-Elliot directed with her husband Jeff playing the choice role of Malvolio. Robertson Dean made a sill but romantic Orsino, Abby Craden was a sexy and aggressive Olivia, Jeremy Rabb was the nerdy and very funny Andrew Aguecheek, Apollo Dukakis was the drunken and rather mean Toby, and the always wonderful Deborah Strang was Maria. Angela Gulner was a lovely Viola and a taller Max Rosenak her twin brother. Their recognition scene was quite moving. Jeff Elliot grabbed hold of Malvolio and wrung every laugh and ever tear from his scenes. The audience loved him.
Twelfth Night is not a play I long to see. I have been in it three times and viewed it another ten. However this production proved that is always something new to be learned, albeit in a line reading, a gesture, or a music cue. The most important event of the evening however was the opening of this marvelous new theatre. I wish them another 20 years and more of the success they have so earned through the love of theatre and shear determination. Twelfth Night will play at the New Noise Within at 3352 East Foothill Blvd. in Pasadena until Dec. 16th.