Press Release
For Immediate Release
May 28, 2010

Cast Announced for Shakespeare on Clark’s Summer Production of Twelfth Night

Her ship sinks, and Viola fears everyone, including her twin brother has drowned.  She lands, with the aid of a Sea Captain, on the Island of Illyria, disguises herself as a male, and the comedy begins!!

This summer Shakespeare on Clark will present the classic Shakespearean Comedy, A Twelfth Night, or What You Will.  Originally performed for an English Twelfth Night Celebration, the play embraces the joy, and merriment of that festive occasion.

The cast of players this summer is exceptional.  The role of Viola will be played by Michelle Buck (Elburn.)  Her twin brother, Sebastian, who indeed survived the shipwreck, will be played by Will Burdin (Batavia.)   The Duke Orsino, lord of the Island of Illyria will be played by Kevin Krasinski, (Elburn,) and Nikki Prusinski, (Elburn) will take on the role of the Duke’s love interest Olivia.  Orsino’s servants Valentine and Curio  will be played by Mike Cook (Oswego) and Daniel Klaisner (Yorkville.) Olivia’s jesters Feste and Fabian will be played by Kasey Ostarello (Sugar Grove) and Shayne Dwyer (St. Charles.) Joining Shayne in the show are family members Ryan Dwyer (Batavia) as Sea Captain and Priest, Keith Dwyer (St. Charles) as ensemble, and Laura Dwyer (Batavia), who will be designing the costumes.

The comedic leads will be played by Jim Stott (Yorkville) as Sir Toby, Lynn Meredith (Elburn) as Maria, Brian Downing (West Chicago) as Sir Andrew, and Bryan Renaud (Sugar Grove) as Malvolio.  Christina Fleetwood (Downers Grove) takes on a role reversal character as well.  The role of Antonio, who rescues twin Sebastian will be turned into Antonia for her, and will feature lots of swordplay!!  Joining the ensemble are Megan Cave (Batavia), Beth Kahan (St. Charles), and Kelly Cash (Aurora).  Peter Geldes (St. Charles) enhances the production with his sword and flame juggling skills. 

The land of Illyria will be played by Clark Island, and the sea, which swallowed up Viola’s ship, will be played in a very subdued manner by the Fox River.

“Clark Island is the perfect setting for Twelfth Night,” state director Julane Sullivan; “The water rushing downstream provides the backdrop of the ‘sea,’ and the old stone pavilion creates the feeling of another era.”

Shakespeare on Clark is produced in cooperation with Batavia Main Street and the Batavia Park District, and is sponsored in part by All Dressed Up Costumes.  The production will take place July 30th through August 8th, with performances at 7pm on Friday and Saturday evenings, and 6pm on Sundays.   Audience members are encouraged to bring their picnic dinners along with their blankets and lawn chairs and enjoy the ambiance of the island and the intriguing setting being created on the Island. 

Illyria, in this production, is a land inhabited by carnival gypsies..and pre show knife juggling, tarot card reading and other 1800’s European Gypsy Carnival entertainment will set the stage for this hysterical comedy.  Clark Island is located in the middle of the Fox River, just south of Wilson Street in downtown Batavia.  Parking is available on either side of the river, and with bridge access to the Island Park.
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