JOHN COFFELTEditor

High school to present ‘12th Night’ adaptation at Rotary Amphitheater in November

The Coffee County Central High School fall play, Shakespeare’s “Twelfth Night” will be at Rotary Amphitheater for free at 2p.m. on Nov. 4, 5, 11 and 12.

If the weather is bad the performance will be moved to the high school.

Director Jonathan Higdon said that the department stages a Shakespearian work every three years.

The “Twelfth Night” is a romantic comedy involving a love triangle. Viewers unfamiliar with the play will recognize much of the plot that was used in the 2006 movie “She’s the Man” with Amanda Bynes.

Higdon said that for the Rotary Park production, he has cut the script as much as possible. He’s working for a total run time of one hour and 15 minutes.

Costumes as sets are keep to a minimal, color coded outfits for the cast and a sign placing the actor’s into the world of the play.

“We are trying to do a bare-bones Shakespeare show and make it publicly available,” Higdon said.

As far as the director knows, a Shakespeare in the park production has not been done in Manchester before. In 2020, the school attempted one, but an illness within the cast and a subsequent quarantine would have delayed the show until December, reducing the likelihood of tolerable weather.

“Shakespeare in the park goes back a long, long way. And outdoor performances go back to ancient Greece,” Higdon said.

The cast of “Twelfth Night” consists of just over 20 students, and centers on Marley Muehlhauser, Ethan Bennett and Olivia Hutchins.

Bennett (Duke Orsino) said that this is his first time doing either Shakespeare or outdoor theater.

“It’s really fun to play a lovesick character because I can be really exaggerate all the body language that I do,” he said.

Hutchins said that the play has been a lot of fun, but that the Shakespearian dialogue is difficult to memorize.

“My character (Lady Olivia) is very much like me,” she said. “I have a little attitude, and she has a little attitude. She’s kinda love-struck, and I’m kinda love-struck.”

Marley Muehlhauser, who plays Viola, called the project an exhilarating challenge.

“It’s more difficult than a traditional set, but it’s a lot more fun. You get a lot more control when on a stage than when you’re outside. The elements can counteract (what you’re doing).

She said her character is the stable, grounded on, contrasting the frivolity of the others.

Lola George (Antonio) plays, in her words, the Jack Sparrow of the play.

“He’s labeled a thief and a fake because he sank a whole fleet of ships,” George said. “His not exactly the villain, but is there for a little bit of comedic relief.”

She noted the importance of exposure to Shakespeare and to be aware its influence on modern theater.

Rex Baker (Sir Andrew Aguecheek) said there will be challenges in performing in the park.

“As with anything new there will be challenges in it, but I think it will be good,” Baker said.

August Cain (Sabastian) has attended many Shakespeare in Park productions. Cain said that it’s a great idea for the school to do it.

Chris Mijango plays a talkative Sir Toby Belch, a character whose tougue gets morelively as his spirits rise.

“This is the second big play I’ve been in,” Mijango said. “And the first that’s going to be outside.”

He said that he missed being on stage at Westwood Middle School and decided to audition.

“I thought, why not try it again,” he said. “I’m having fun with it.”

“Bread” Warren plays the “silly little guy” Feste the Fool. She said that it is exciting to get to perform outside.

Alyssa Hemphill said her character, Maria, is feisty and witty.

“I’m super expressive with my facial expressions,” Hemphill said. “If I’m happy or mad, angry or sad, you can tell. Or if something is funny, I can’t help what my face does.”

“When I play her, I can really bring that emotion to the table and make her really come to life,” she said.

She said that the pay in the park is an awesome opportunity for everybody can access to entertainment and Shakespeare.

Brianna Strong plays the snobby, self-centered Malvolio.

Strong said she has confidence on the stage with Malvollo that she lacks in everyday life.

“It’s easier to express myself when I’m acting than when it’s my own emotions,” Strong said. “Getting out my emotions during acting is therapeutic.”

She said weather for the outdoor show may be cold, but it will be a fun, new experience.

John has been with the Manchester Times since May 2011. John has won Tennessee Press Association awards for Best News Photo and placed in numerous other categories. John is a 1994 graduate of Tullahoma High School, a graduate of Motlow State Community College and earned a Bachelor of Arts in English from Middle Tennessee State University. He lives in Tullahoma, enjoys painting, dancing and exploring the outdoors.