The Twelfth Night directed by Chad Stutz at La Plaza Cultural, the park with the willow trees on Ave. C and East 9th, opens with, "If music be the food of life, play on, followed by, enough, 'tis not as sweet now as it was before.." The play runs Thursday through Saturday until the end of July beginning at 7PM. Sharon Fogarty and Jason Howard (who plays the fool) provide music. At the beginning of the evening, the birdies were chirping wildly. You may be asked as you enter, after giving something in response to the suggested contribution of 5 dollars, to sign a petition to transfer the park to the City Parks Department. I suppose that would save it. Charas is up the block toward Avenue B and there doesn't seem to be much hope saving that from its purchaser at auction. It's been his for the past three years....

Characters in the Twelfth Night, who roll in with the waves, unroll within cardboard from upstage. Lost in a watery tomb at sea, and being in the third degree of drink is to be drowned, they each of the other presume to be deceased. Sometimes the sea returns that which it steals from us.

The costumes were east village hodgepodge. Malvolio was a young man with a monocle (Eric Walton). The entire cast was young and appealing. Sir Toby doesn't have to be old to have a niece... He reminded me most of Roman Polanski, the actor... (It's Brent Popolizio)

Enter the cross dresser. She acted with Chad before. I need a link to Mary Robinson to refer you to -- Tara Platt reminds me of MR.... In other words she has a round lovely face with a prominent full mouth conveying innocence and intelligence. All the actors were excellent. Each knew the lines well enough to play while enhancing their meaning.

The mistress of the house catches the plague of infatuation upon meeting the cross dresser. "Be you his eunuch?" Catch the infatuation!

It was then I noticed the barbed can art mounted upon the fence, resembling pinwheels and puddings, that contained us in our garden theatre.

How likest this tune? It gives a very echo to the seat where love is throned -- that's the seat you're sitting on, dearie! Remember to bring a pillow. May thy tailer make thy outfit of changeable taffeta.

I'm onto the quotes. I assure you, your appreciation of Twelfth Night and of Shakespeare is readily enhanced by your attendance at this Manhattan Theatre Source, 2 Way Production.

"This letter will make a contemplative idiot of him."

"Some have greatness thrust upon them."

"See thee cross gartered in yellow stockings" (taken quite literally.) "My lady loves me."

Games... I would, for this, marry her, the wench, and ask for no dowry but such a jest.

I am not your fool but your corrupter of words!

The heavens rain odors on you.

These dopey bargirls play games with the nobility, perhaps one day to marry them.

Here's my purse, go feed you with the sights of this town.

I have limed her!

A little thing would tell them how much I lack of a man.

I so much like you that a fiend like thee might bear my soul to hell!

Thou shalt be both the plaintiff and judge of thy own cause. Heigh ho, the wind and the rain! Girl, I look forward to seeing thee one day in thy woman's weeds!

Fun!