The Montana Actor's Theater (MAT) closed out its theater calendar year with three showings of Shakespeare's 12th Night in Beaver Creek State Park over the weekend. This year's Shakespeare production was accompanied by a Renaissance Faire, which had vendors, games, children's activities, and plenty of delicious dining options. The show continued the high standard of quality entertainment patrons have grown to expect from MAT, with great production values, engaging performances, and a level of enthusiasm that brought the 17th century comedy to life for the attendees.
I spoke with Jay Pyette who directed the play. "We just just had to go with a comedy this year. I know, after the tragedy of last year, I thought it was good time to have a comedy. And this is a good setting for it." 12th Night, or as it is sometimes called What You Will, is a romantic comedy of mistaken identities, which was a dramatic departure from last year's showing of Macbeth. Last year's darker show featured witches, ambitious and well-staged battle sequences, and a creative use of the outdoor stage setting.
This year's comedic production was a change, but not less clever and well executed. In fact, the comedy was a fabulous canvas for the group's acting strengths. I asked Jay about who to watch for standout performances. He replied that one of the strengths of the show is that "this is just a very cohesive group. I don't think we can really name anybody as a standout because everybody works so well together as a team." The statement proved true, as the actors' chemistry and interplay made the show a lighthearted romp in the park. In particular, Dr. Grant Olson's performance as Feste the Fool/Jester, who doubled as a sort of master of ceremonies tied the show together well and helped keep the audience at ease with the Olde English dialogue. As a fan of the MAT, I found myself marveling at Olson's comedic timing and stage presence, particularly after seeing his haunting delivery of Macbeth's "Tomorrow, and tomorrow, and tomorrow" soliloquy last year. The sparkling interplay between Ian Munson's Sir Toby, Chad Zuelke's Sir Andrew, and Serena Dawson's Maria as they tormented Mike Zooke's Malvolio provided some of the best laughs in the production. Caroline Tuss' performance as Viola, fending off the advances of Angela Murri's Olivia and facing Sir Andrew in their duel kept the audience laughing. The show featured several points of audience participation, in keeping with the original 17th century format. Audience members made sound effects for the storm, bantered with the actors, and experienced the fun of occasionally having the performers step into the crowd to hide or simply for laughs were appropriate.
While we spoke, Jay took the time to introduce me to 11 year-old Dash Kaasa, who was performing as the Messenger. This was Dash's second performance in a MAT show. He did well in his role, but also highlighted for me what makes the local theater company such a wonderful experience. Mixed in with the familiar faces of this production, there were plenty of new ones, like Dash. This is perhaps my favorite aspect of MAT's productions. They provide opportunity and space for people, young and young at heart, to take to the stage and be a part of a performance. Even better, they do so with excellence.
This year's production featured quite a few changes over Macbeth, most of which were a product of learning through experience. Most obvious to the audience was the tightening of the overall stage area. Last year's showing at the Lion's Campground gave the show a large and open stage area, which is a must given the scenes featuring horses galloping across the stage area. This
year, the company built a stage, which they housed in Havre at the old North 40 building. That was the location for rehearsals over the last six weeks, before the stage was moved to the Eagle's Campground for the show. Jay explained that the use of the stage itself was a result of feedback that it was sometimes difficult to see the actors last year. The stage made the show much easier to watch. It is also worth noting that the large banners provided a great contrast for seeing the actor's motions and helped set the mood for the production. Another change that Jay explained was the decision to give each actor a microphone, which made hearing the dialogue easier. A final note on additions that dramatically improved our enjoyment of the show, MAT provided several "cliff notes" type helps for the audience before and during the show. In the children's area of the fair, daily "kids' performances" of the play were put on, with a modern English storybook version of the play being read to anyone who watched. My daughter, who attended Macbeth and 12th Night, found hearing the story read in advance to be a significant aid. In addition, the programs featured a 12-panel comic strip summary of the story, which helped those of us who get lost in Shakespeare's language keep up with the story. Finally, Dr. Olson's explanation of the dialogue and hints about some of the bawdier jokes set the audience at ease right out of the gate.
The Renaissance Faire component of the show was fun and was larger than the fair that accompanied the Macbeth showing. Vendors offered fun shopping options and the games that were offered were also quite entertaining, though I missed the traditional Scottish caber toss, which was included in last year's Faire. Though, it would have been out of theme with this year's show. To help set the mood for the show, MAT invited a local rancher to bring one of her period specific Gypsy Vanner horses for display during the fair. The beautiful creature was decked out in costume and brought an air of authenticity to the afternoon.
12th Night's main sponsors were Valley Furniture and Red Rock Power. These local businesses deserve great thanks for helping to make Shakespeare in Beaver Crook State Park a reality. To learn more about future productions and to see more photos of the show, you can follow the Montana Actor's Theater on Facebook.
