True today as it was in the past, Shakespeare’s timeless dramas continue to capture the imagination of all ages. For a third year, the Old Globe’s Globe for All Tour, complete with professional actors, stage crew, and a traveling set made its way to Castle Park community for the beloved comedy Twelfth Night.
The evening began with a festive red-carpet dinner complete with interactive games and hosted by the Old Globe to help introduce Shakespeare and the theatre experience. More than 150 Castle Park students and their parents as well as Chula Vista Councilman Mike Diaz and Castle Park Middle School Assistant Principal Nina Hermosillo attended the free production which was set in the round and scaled for the school’s gymnasium to provide the audience an intimate, up-close experience and to foster a shared sense of community between performer and spectator.
For many students and their parents, this was their first live theatre experience.
“Attending a live performance can often be out of reach for many families,” said Patty Chavez, South Bay Community Services Communications Director. “Cost, transportation or accessibility can create barriers. We are grateful to the Old Globe engaging a new generation of theater-goers.”
Globe for All presents free professional theater to diverse, multigenerational audiences in locations around San Diego County, with a cast of nine professional actors and five production staff members. Over the past three years, Globe for All has continued to extend its reach, performing in military bases, homeless shelters, senior and correctional facilities, recreation centers, libraries, and other community venues.
“This wonderful program shares the glories of The Old Globe, free of charge, with our neighbors throughout the county who may not regularly participate in our programming in Balboa Park, and it helps make theatre matter to their communities,” said Erna Finci Viterbi Artistic Director Barry Edelstein.
This year’s production of Twelfth Night, Edelstein shared, offered everything: gorgeous poetry, romance, great characters, and comedy that’s fall-down funny.
The Castle Park audience agreed.
Mesmerized and glued to their seats, both students and adults cheered, awed and laughed during the almost two-hour production which re-imagined the original backsplash of Illyria as a sunny, modern-day Southern California getaway for the rich. With a diverse multi-cultural cast, Twelfth Night tells the story of Viola, a Mexican immigrant who comes to the U.S. but is separated from her twin brother, Sebastian, in the process. Viola disguises herself as a young man and goes to work for Orsino – who is in love with a wealthy heiress named Olivia. However, Viola quickly falls in love with him herself. As Viola unintentionally gets herself and everyone around her into a mess, she addresses the audience in asides in Spanish, adding a bicultural twist to the Shakespeare play.
As a special treat, the actors had an intimate conversation with students after the production answering questions and sharing insights about acting on stage or supporting as a crew or theater managers. Students and families were especially moved to learn that lead actress Jennifer Paredes, who played Viola, was a Chula Vista resident and a graduate of Otay Ranch High School.
The Old Globe’s Globe for All partners with South Bay Community Services, Chula Vista Promise Neighborhood, Castle Park Middle School and Sweetwater Union High School District to bring new opportunities and experiences to the community of Castle Park.
