Play on!

Synopsis
Television version of the musical play based on the book by Cheryl L. West and adapted for the stage by West and Sheldon Epps. Twelfth Night, with an all African-American cast, is transformed into a romantic fable set in 1940s Harlem using Duke Ellington songs as its score. Directed for stage by Sheldon Epps and for television by Gary Halvorson.
Series
Great Performances
Language
English
Country
United States
Medium
Television
Technical information
Colour / Sound
Recording date
Aug 1999
Transmission details
21 Jun 2000 (Channel: PBS)
Duration
120 mins
Availability
No archive copy found (2006)

Credits

Director
Gary Halvorson
Writer
Cheryl W. West
Music
Duke Ellington; Luther Henderson
Production Design
James Leonard Joy
Costume
Marianna Elliott
Choreographer
Mercedes Ellington
Contributor
Sheldon Epps
Cast
Natalie Venetia BelconVy (Viola (later disguised as Cesario))
Nikki CrawfordLady Liv (Olivia)
Raun RuffinThe Duke (Orsino, Duke of Illyria)
Richard Allen (2)Rev (Malvolio)
Clinton Derricks-CarrollSweets
Kevin RamseyJester
Yvette CasonMiss Mary (Maria)

Additional Details

Theatre
Pasadena Playhouse
Theatre company
Arizona Theatre Company
Production type
Operas and Musicals
Historical period
1940s
Plays
Twelfth Night
Subjects
Drama; Music
Keywords
jazz; Shakespeare, William (1564-1616); Black actors

Notes

Notes
A CD of the musical with the original Broadway cast is available in the United States from retailers. The stage version was videotaped by the Theatre on Film and Tape (TOFT) at the Old Globe Theatre, Santiago and the Brooks Atkinson Theatre, New York. The TOFT recording is catalogued separately.

Production Company

Name

USA Pictures

Name

WNET

How to cite this record

Shakespeare, "Play on!". https://learningonscreen.ac.uk/shakespeare/search/index.php/title/av66558 (Accessed 25 Nov 2024)