Plot Summary

Twelfth Night opens with a tragic shipwreck that separates twin siblings, Viola and Sebastian. Upon washing up on the shore of a foreign land called Illyria (or, in our case, Coney Island in 1919!) Viola, believing her brother drowned disguises herself as a young man named Cesario in order to serve the Duke Orsino. Orsino is in love with the Lady Olivia, who is in mourning for her own brother's death and rejects Orsino's advances. Duke Orsino sends his new serving man, “Cesario,” to Olivia’s house to further Orsino’s attempts to woo her, but unfortunately for him, Olivia becomes instantly enamored with Cesario (Viola in disguise). Uh-oh, a love triangle!

Viola quickly falls for Orsino, leading to a series of misunderstandings and hijinks. Adding to the chaos are Olivia’s cousin, Sir Toby Belch, and his friend, Sir Andrew Aguecheek, who he has brought to town as a potential suitor for Olivia. Toby and Andrew, along with Olivia’s fool, Feste, and her maid, Maria, seek revenge on Olivia’s stickler of a butler, Malvolio.

Elsewhere, Viola’s twin, Sebastian, was - surprise! - rescued from the shipwreck by a pirate named Antonio. After three months, they find themselves in Illyria - exactly where Viola has been for the same three months - and it doesn’t take long for folks to start mistaking the twins for one another. Watch as these intertwined tales of mistaken identities, unrequited love, and hilarious deceptions unravel in this delightful comedy by William Shakespeare.

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