Set in the 17th century, Illyria follows Viola and Sebastian, twins who are lost at sea during a storm. Both are rescued, but each thinks the other is dead. Viola, impersonating Sebastian, attracts the attentions of the lovely Olivia (oops!) and the handsome Duke Orsino (double oops!). Things get even more confusing when the real Sebastian shows up. Before it’s all over, everybody is in love with everybody and there’s lots of dancing, singing and general merriment.
If this all sounds vaguely familiar, that’s because it is — Illyria is a reworked version of Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night. Pete Mills the book, music and lyrics for Illyria, which Texas Repertory Theatre says has been “reworked with a modern sensibility.” Of course, love triangles resonate today just as well as they did back in Shakespeare’s time.
After an 8 p.m. opening night gala on February 8, regular showtimes are 7:30 p.m. Thursdays, 8 p.m. Fridays and Sundays and 3 p.m. Sundays, through February 24. Northwood Plaza, 14243 Stuebner Airline. For information, call 281-583-7573 or visit www.texreptheatre.org. $20 to $40
Wednesdays, Thursdays, 7 p.m.; Fridays, Saturdays, 8 p.m.; Sundays, 3 p.m. Starts: Feb. 6. Continues through Feb. 26, 2008
