Twelfth Night with a Twist at San Quentin is a Stunner Twelfth Night at San Quentin is a Stunner

By Linda Ayres-Frederick

“If Music be the Food of Love…play on”
Twelfth Night by Wm. Shakespeare

It’s easier to get into San Quentin than it is to get out, even when you are just visiting for the rare opportunity to see thirteen inmates performing in Shakespeare’s romantic comedy Twelfth Night. With an audience comprised of 200 invited guests that included members of the press, friends of Marin Shakespeare plus fellow inmates, this updated 1960’s tie-dyed version of the Bard’s lovelorn tale of mistaken identities rocked with joy.

Getting to that effervescent experience took a few steps. Even before entering the prison compound, every outside audience member needed to attain security clearance, and once through the second set of gates, having signed your name twice and having your hand stamped with a special infrared ink, the faux castle architecture emitted a grievous sadness that grabbed you viscerally.

Walking through the open courtyard to the chapel lightened the emotional load somewhat and once inside where banners proclaimed “They that sow in tears shalt reap in Joy”, the buzzing activity of videographers in prison garb and cast members greeting us with welcoming smiles set the stage and mood for what was to come.

When Romeo Valentine (A.Terrell Merritt), the songmaster serving Orsino (Erin O’Connor) and his back up Singers Group--Angel Alvarez, Joey Barnes, Eric Lowery, and Perry “Spike” Simpson-- dropped to their knees and lip-synched “Lonely Teardrops”, this audience member laughed so hard she cried. The signature swish of their capes as they entered and exited throughout the show raised the audience’s spirit with a single unforgettable gesture.

In spite of the fact that some of the actors were on stage for the first time, the sense of ensemble that held them together was better than that of the best pro sports team of the past season. And of course there were standouts. Luke Padgett’s Malvolio made it obvious that here was a man whose artistry defied the limitations of his environment. Consistent throughout, borrowing elements from Rocky Horror Picture Show, family traits and his own process finding the character, Padgett delivered such an exquisite performance that one can’t imagine a more perfectly modulated Malvolio. Standing tall, joy through devilment reigned!

John Owen Neblett as Antonio also stood out for his comic timing and daringly expressed lust for the tender hearted, oft bewildered Sebastian (Angel Alvarez). And Erin O’Connor had the stature and convincing confidence demanded by his role as Orsino, the Duke of Illyria. Jonathan Wilson as Sir Andrew Aguecheek and Henry “Black Myth” Montgomery as Sri Yogi Maharishi provided additionally unique comic elements to this shenanigan-filled farce. MSC’s own Lesley Currier brought experience and charm to her Viola as did MSC interns Elizabeth Keller as her servant Maria and Brent BC Harvey as her boisterous, drunken uncle, Sir Toby Belch.

The script as adapted by Marin Shakespeare's Managing and Artistic Directors, Lesley and Robert Currier, was set with a variety of music from the Beatles, Rolling Stones and others including original music by Joey Mason--who also played a fine Feste, the guitar-strumming Clown serving Olivia. Mike Anthony, who played the bespectacled poker-faced Olivia in a blonde wig with Shirley Temple curls admitted that the hardest part of performing was having to dress up in gold brocade and heels in front of his peers.

Under the direction of Suraya Keating, the inmates and the three additional members of MSC have been studying the play, creating characters, learning lines, practicing songs and dance moves, and preparing for the performance for the past 10 months. The work has definitely paid off.

The Marin Shakespeare Company, which performs at Dominican
University's Forest Meadows Amphitheatre each summer, added the
Shakespeare program at San Quentin to their array of education
programs eight years ago during which Ms. Currier has been performing with them. The teachers who have worked with the
inmates have found the men eager to learn.

In the talkback after the performance the men concurred that the program helped “keep their sanity” and to live “from their authentic selves.”

"Shakespeare gives inmates the opportunity to learn to communicate in new ways, to practice conflict resolution, to develop empathy, and
teamwork skills. In addition, the men are expanding their
vocabularies, learning about poetry, and enjoying classic literature,"
said Currier. "Shakespeare has been transformational for many of the
men who participate, building confidence and communication skills.”

"Shakespeare actors are role models within the San Quentin community, demonstrating that even behind bars men can continue to set goals, learn new skills, and become better human beings.”
Given the standing ovation this Twelfth Night so richly deserved, there’s no doubt that this program is a stunning success!