According to the Shorter Oxford English Dictionary Twelfth Night is "the evening of the fifth of January, ... the eve of the Epiphany, formerly the last day of the Christmas festivities and observed as a time of merrymaking." Medieval and Tudor England celebrated Twelfth Night as the end of a larger festival, Lord of Misrule, that began on All Hallows Eve (Halloween). The celebration was marked with food, drink, dancing and the normal order of things being reversed. In many parts of the world, Twelfth Night parties took place, some with troupes of actors performing for the guests.

The first recorded performance of Shakespeare's Twelfth Night occurred in 1602 and believed to have been written specifically as a "Twelfth Night's entertainment for the close of the Christmas season." The play utilizes comedy to incorporate all the common elements of the Twelfth Night observances such as role reversal, gender blurring and general, bawdy merrymaking.

Lakewood Playhouse Director Rachel Fitzgerald chose to open the play in the home of Kait and Alex - who play Antonia and Sebastian, respectively - as they are awaiting the mummers (actor's troupe) who will entertain their guests (the audience) during their Twelfth Night party. This has the twofold effect of helping the audience understand a celebration they may be unfamiliar with and making them feel part of the party. While this was a wonderful beginning, by not having the performance resolve in the same manner, it seemed slightly out of place.

Shakespeare's plays have been performed in countless ways, adaptations abound and even when his scripts are followed verbatim, they can be produced lavishly or minimally. Fitzgerald chose a more minimal approach with the set pieces, a choice that is quite successful. Since the play takes place in a living room, the actors configure the few set pieces differently when representing the different locations. The actors handle all the set changes brilliantly, while not missing a line or step. The scenes run from one to the next with a fluidity that prevents the play from losing any momentum.

While all the actors were talented and seemed to thoroughly understand their characters, and Shakespeare's language, several were terrific to watch. Angelica Duncan's (Olivia) nonverbal voice skills and movement were possibly the best of the performance and were used to great comedic affect. Ian Lamberton effectively used nonverbal voice and movement to create ridiculously haughty and self-righteous Malvolio. Maggie Lofquist (Viola), Kait Mahoney (Antonia), Deva Ozburn (Maria) and Steve Tarry (Feste) were well cast and brought their characters to life beautifully (and comedically).

Lakewood Playhouse's Twelfth Night is well worth seeing, especially if you are in the mood for comedy. However, if you don't wish to risk being pulled on stage, or spoken to by the actors, don't sit in the front.

LAKEWOOD PLAYHOUSE, TWELFTH NIGHT, THROUGH DEC. 2, 8 P.M. FRIDAY-SATURDAY, 2 P.M. SUNDAY, $18-$24, 5729 LAKEWOOD TOWNE CENTER BLVD. SW, LAKEWOOD,  253.588.0042