The Astroturf is always greener on the other side of the stage

Think that Shakespeare and Astroturf don't mix? Think again.

In the Princeton Shakespeare Company's production of "Twelfth Night," Samara Abrams-Primack '02 is out to prove that things aren't always as they seem — and that the Astroturf is always greener . . . on stage.

"Twelfth Night" is a story of illusions and mistaken identities, complete with a cross-dresser and cross-tempered fools, set in an aptly-named land called Illyria.

The play tells the story of Viola (Katie Flynn '02), the survivor of a shipwreck who washes up on the shores of Illyria, where Duke Orsino (Andrew Walsh '02), rules. Orsino is in love with Lady Olivia (Julia Ressler '05), but Olivia does not return his love.

Viola believes she lost her brother Sebastian (Peter Robinson '02) at sea, and decides to dress as a boy to serve Orsino while she mourns his death. Havoc ensues as unexpected romance develops. Two fools and a drunk, Feste (Rakesh Satyal '02), Malvolio (Michael Ritter '03) and Sir Toby (Gavin Gretter '02) add to the hilarity.

Abrams-Primack, who is writing her thesis on "Twelfth Night," tailored the set to reflect the dualities and deceptions intrinsic to the plot, but didn't limit herself to traditional props and scenery.

"I got into the idea of plastic and facades that are seductively appealing," she said, adding that Astroturf and other seemingly modern materials figure prominently in the show.

"The subtitle of the ['Twelfth Night'] is 'What You Will,' " Abrams-Primack said. "So there's this sort of feeling that you can will things into happening by just hoping that they will or imagining them to be.

"But what's interesting to me about the play is that it's a whole facade," she said. "And at the underbelly of it is this reality that people don't want to face, that a lot of love is unrequited, and people actually do die and parties end."

This past summer, Abrams-Primack assistant-directed "Midsummer Night's Dream" at the Shakespeare festival in her hometown, Santa Cruz, Calif.

Abrams-Primack credits the festival with showing her the plasticity of Shakespeare's plays and inspiring her to push the limits of the centuries-old scripts by imbuing them with fresh contexts and perspectives.

Of the Princeton Shakespeare Company interpretation of "Twelfth Night," Abrams-Primack said, "It's really bright and fun and accessible, and I tried at least to tell the story as best I could, but err on the side of surprising modern interpretations. There are Palm Pilots and beach umbrellas — things you would never expect, but they work."

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When you read the play, "Twelfth Night," make of it what you will — but should you choose to experience the Princeton Shakespeare Company's production, be prepared for aesthetically pleasing ride — with a punch.