Illyria (musical)
| Illyria | |
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Official cover art
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| Music | Pete Mills |
| Lyrics | Pete Mills |
| Book | Pete Mills |
| Basis | William Shakespeare's Twelfth Night |
| Premiere | Hudson Guild Theater, New York City |
| Productions | 2002 Off-Broadway, New York City 2004 Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey, New Jersey 2008 Texas Repertory Theatre, Texas 2011 Pittsburgh Playhouse, Pittsburgh |
Illyria is a musical with book, music, and lyrics by Pete Mills, based on William Shakespeare's Twelfth Night, written in 2002. Illyria is a traditional adaption of Twelfth Night, but features a more contemporary score.
Illyria began as Prospect Theater Company's musical production of Twelfth Night in Central Park in 2001. The company's artistic director Cara Reichel and resident writer Pete Mills then collaborated to create a complete musical adaption. The musical premiered from April 12 through the 28th at the Hudson Guild Theater, New York City.
Feste, a jester, welcomes the audience and introduces them to the world of Illyria and each character featured in the show (“Prologue”). In the midst of his introductions, an intense thunderstorm shipwrecks the twins Viola and Sebastian off of Illyria’s coast. Viola is able to make it to shore, but is unable to find her brother, and assumes he is dead. She decides to take on his identity, reasoning that it would be safer to be a man in an unfamiliar place.
Dressed as Sebastian, Viola begins to work as a servant for Orsino, a Duke who is in love with the Countess Olivia. Orsino sends Viola to ask for Olivia’s hand, but Viola soon realizes she has feelings for Orsino.
Meanwhile, Feste returns to Olivia’s home after spending several years away. He is surprised that Olivia is still mourning for her brother (and Feste’s former master), and takes it upon himself to bring joy back into the household. He lightheartedly mocks Maria about her love for Sir Toby, and brings back an old rivalry with the steward Malvolio. Feste’s efforts to cheer up Olivia work, and she agrees to receive a visitor, Viola. The Countess is quite taken with her, and as Viola leaves to report back to Orsino, Malvolio gives her a gift from Olivia, a ring.
It is revealed that Sebastian has survived the shipwreck, and he enters Illyria with Antonio, the man who rescued him.
At Olivia’s house, Feste, Toby, Andre, and Maria are all annoyed with Malvolio after he gets them in trouble. The four work together to create a plan for revenge.
At the Duke’s palace, Viola and Orsino have a conversation on love. Viola realizes how much she cares for him, but knows she must wait until she can safely reveal her true identity before the two can be together (“Patience”). However, the next morning Orsino discovers the ring that Olivia gifted Viola, and he yet again sends Viola to her home.
Meanwhile, the revenge plan is set in motion as Maria writes a “secret admirer” letter to Malvolio, written to seem as though Olivia sent it. The letter tells Malvolio to dress and act in a ridiculous way in order to prove he loves Olivia back (“The Love Letter”).
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