The ultimate guide to Tallahassee's Southern Shakespeare Festival 2021: 'Twelfth Night'

Tallahassee didn't have free Shakespeare in the Park in 2020 — did anyone? — but 2021 brings its return. Southern Shakespeare Company will be presenting one of the Bard's most comical comedies — with original music, hijinks galore and the sly, risque humor that's still unmatched since Elizabethan times.

Here's everything you need to know before you go.

What's the show?

Get ready for love, laughs and mistaken identities. "Twelfth Night" is a wild ride, full of slapstick humor, silly situations, pompous fools and earnest lovers.

As one of the characters says, "If this were played upon a stage now, I could condemn it as an improbable fiction."

And no, you don't have to like — or ever have read — Shakespeare to enjoy it. It's a comedy!

Bring the whole family? Well, there's no recommended minimum age, but the play would be rated PG-13. This is Shakespeare, after all, and they haven't cut out any of his naughty humor.

Guest actor: Hal Sparks

In the role of Malvolio — the primly amusing servant who turns out to be one of Shakespeare's most complex and funniest characters — will be TV and film actor Hal Sparks. You may remember him from Showtime’s "Queer as Folk" or Disney’s "Lab Rats" or a long list of guest star appearances on TV and in movies like "Spider-Man 2," "Dude, Where's My Car?" and "Grey's Anatomy."

It was Malvolio who first uttered the line, "Some are born great, some achieve greatness and some have greatness thrust upon 'em."

Without getting into spoiler territory, Malvolio appears in one scene in a daring pair of bright yellow stockings laced up with a black ribbon. Sparks — who began rehearsing the play over Zoom and recently got to Tallahassee to join the cast in person — was undaunted.

“I was on 'Queer as Folk' for five years," he said. "I’ve been spray-tanned while wearing a sock.”

More:'Twelfth Night' understudy Jim McMurtry relishes memorization challenge

Four priests walk into a Bard...

Four additional local celebrities will also be featured, swapping out the role of the priest: attorney Sean Pittman (Thursday), TV host Gary Yordon (Friday), State Attorney Jack Campbell (Saturday) and Tallahassee Democrat Executive Editor William Hatfield (Sunday). When reserving your seats, make sure to scroll down and vote for your favorite priest from the cast list. 

More:Four Tallahassee celebrities will play the priest in 'Twelfth Night' — each for one night only

When and where is the Southern Shakespeare Festival?

SSC’s free Shakespeare in the Park Festival runs May 6-9 on the Capital City Amphitheater stage in Cascades Park. The main event, "Twelfth Night," begins at 7:30 p.m. each night.

Each year, SSC’s junior acting troupe, The Bardlings, study and re-write Shakespearean scenes to perform as the opening act at the festival. This year, due to COVID-19 safety guidelines, the production was pre-filmed and will be screened at 6:30 p.m. each night.

The Bardlings' "ShakespeaREtold V: Inspiring Social Change" is a collection of scenes re-written by young actors to comment on social issues important to them. 

Tickets, tickets

Admission is free, but due to COVID safety, all audience members need a ticket. You can reserve seats at southernshakespearefestival.org or use the direct ticketing link.

To comply with COVID-safety protocols, every other row is blocked. Please leave at least two seats between your group and others in your selected row.

To reserve seats for Saturday's ASL interpreted performance or for other accommodations, contact Liane@southernshakes.org. 

Livestream

If you can't make out, this year SSC is livestreaming the 7:30 p.m. Friday show. Tickets are $10 and can be purchased at: showtix4u.com/event-details/50822.

Parking

Parking is available in the DOT lot and state garages near Cascades Park. All parking lots and garages are free all day Saturday and Sunday.

There is disabled person parking in the small lot on the corner of Gaines and Suwannee. Transportation from parking to the amphitheater will be provided for those requiring assistance. Please call 850-321-0437 to make arrangements.

If music be the food of love... 

You're welcome to bring your own food and non-alcoholic drinks for a picnic in the park (no coolers are allowed in Cascades Park). Also, alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages will be on sale — including Red Eye Coffee's offerings. 

SSC is also is teaming up with local restaurants, which will provide to-go specials for attendees to pick up and enjoy picnic-style at the festival.

• Thursday: Sonny's BBQ (Dick Wilson Blvd. location)
• Friday: Sahara Café Mediterranean Grill
• Saturday,: Proof Brewing Company
• Sunday Voodoo Dog

Visit southernshakes.org for more information.

Get the fun going early Saturday night

Join the Southern Shakes Happy Hour — Twelve Tastes for "Twelfth Night" — from 4-7 p.m. Saturday at Happy Motoring. Individual tickets are $40 ($75 for a pair), and include a taste of 12 different wines and an individually packaged, European-style cheese board.

Visit southernshakes.org/happyhour for tickets.

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