Announcing Our 2022 Production:
Twelfth Night or What SHE Will
Hail Friends and Well Met!
Optimist Theatre will once again bring our touring show to multiple sites around the greater Milwaukee area and beyond. The tour will be an abridged, small cast member version of Twelfth Night Or What SHE Will
Twelfth Night, one of Shakespeare's most beloved comedies, is a story of twins separated by shipwreck and the ensuing shenanigans that ultimately tells a universal tale of the foibles and intrigues of the truth about love. For more information about the show, click here.
Optimist Theatre will once again bring our touring show to multiple sites around the greater Milwaukee area and beyond. The tour will be an abridged, small cast member version of Twelfth Night Or What SHE Will
Twelfth Night, one of Shakespeare's most beloved comedies, is a story of twins separated by shipwreck and the ensuing shenanigans that ultimately tells a universal tale of the foibles and intrigues of the truth about love. For more information about the show, click here.
Attending the Show
Twelfth Night Or What SHE Will runs June 18th through August 7th. 2022.
Click on the location name below for more information and to register or make a reservation (SitP Members only) at the show.*
When and Where:
*About Registration Vs. Reservations:
Shakespeare in the Park (SitP) performances are always free to attend, outdoors, and (mostly) open, general admission seating (bring your own chairs!).
Twelfth Night Or What SHE Will runs June 18th through August 7th. 2022.
Click on the location name below for more information and to register or make a reservation (SitP Members only) at the show.*
When and Where:
- Saturday, June 18th at 5:00 PM: Alverno College
- Sunday, June 19th at 4:00 PM: Mitchell Park
- Saturday, June 25th at 5:00 PM: Humboldt Park
- Sunday, June 26th at 4:00 PM: Sherman Park
- Saturday, July 2nd: No Show
- Sunday, July 3rd: No Show
- Saturday, July 9th: at 4:00 PM: Washington Park
- Sunday, July 10th at 5:00 PM: Lincoln Park
- Saturday, July 16th at 5:00 PM: Forest Home Cemetery
- Sunday, July 17th at 5:30 PM: Sharon Lynne Wilson Center for the Performing Arts
- Saturday, July 23rd: No Show
- Sunday, July 24th: No Show
- Saturday, July 30th: TBD
- Sunday, July 31st at 5:00 PM: Lake Park
- Saturday, August 6th: TBD
- Sunday, August 7th at 5:00 PM: Marcus Performing Arts Center
*About Registration Vs. Reservations:
Shakespeare in the Park (SitP) performances are always free to attend, outdoors, and (mostly) open, general admission seating (bring your own chairs!).
- Registration: Walk-ups are always welcome; however, you will find it very helpful if you register. Registration makes it possible for us to contact you with important show reminders and updates. Please note: Registration does not reserve you a space at the show. Seating is first-come, first-served
- Reservation: As a perk of membership Shakespeare in the Park (SitP) members can reserve a space for themselves at one performance of their choice each season.
-- SitP Membership is is available for a yearly donation of $75.
-- Members can invite additional non-members to join them for a donation of $40 per person.
-- If you would like to become a member now, you can do on the registration link for each show.
-- Member spaces are limited, so reserve your space early.
Who?
Twelfth Night: Or, What She Will will be directed by M.L. Cogar, Optimist Theatre’s resident dramaturg. Veteran Optimist team member Melissa Wanke will return as Stage Manager.
The cast list will be coming very soon (this amazing cast--wait 'til you see them!)
Meanwhile, we can tell you that our story will focus on the relationship between Olivia and the shipwrecked Viola, who comes to Olivia disguised as a young man sent to plead for Olivia’s love on behalf of Duke Orsino. The drunken Toby Belch, gullible Andrew Aguecheek, stick-in-the-mud Malvolio, wise fool Feste, and all-too-clever Maria will also delight audiences as part of Olivia’s household.
Twelfth Night: Or, What She Will will be directed by M.L. Cogar, Optimist Theatre’s resident dramaturg. Veteran Optimist team member Melissa Wanke will return as Stage Manager.
The cast list will be coming very soon (this amazing cast--wait 'til you see them!)
Meanwhile, we can tell you that our story will focus on the relationship between Olivia and the shipwrecked Viola, who comes to Olivia disguised as a young man sent to plead for Olivia’s love on behalf of Duke Orsino. The drunken Toby Belch, gullible Andrew Aguecheek, stick-in-the-mud Malvolio, wise fool Feste, and all-too-clever Maria will also delight audiences as part of Olivia’s household.
How?
The touring show will consist of live matinee performances in multiple outdoor locations in the greater Milwaukee area. As always, performances will be free to attend, although online registration will be available to help with planning.
We will post more information about show logistics in Mid-May.
The touring show will consist of live matinee performances in multiple outdoor locations in the greater Milwaukee area. As always, performances will be free to attend, although online registration will be available to help with planning.
We will post more information about show logistics in Mid-May.
What are we talking about? A touring show?
Yes, indeed. In 2021 Optimist Theatre debuted a brand new traveling format.
You can click here to read about A Midsummer Night's Dream: The Lovers' Tale.
Yes, indeed. In 2021 Optimist Theatre debuted a brand new traveling format.
You can click here to read about A Midsummer Night's Dream: The Lovers' Tale.
Did people like it? Yes, indeed!
From Susan...
"We had a wonderful time at Shakespeare in the Park, as we always do. Our seats were great, the production was outstanding, and it was a beautiful late afternoon. My son David really enjoyed himself, especially since we have not really ventured out much at all since March 2020. This was the perfect event for all of us. Thank you and the entire team at Optimist for making this all possible!"
And we liked it, too, as M.L. Cogar put it:
“We were thrilled to find that adding the fully local tour last year allowed us to welcome far more Milwaukeeans to Shakespeare than ever before by coming right to their own backyards or to ones they’ve longed to visit.”
From Susan...
"We had a wonderful time at Shakespeare in the Park, as we always do. Our seats were great, the production was outstanding, and it was a beautiful late afternoon. My son David really enjoyed himself, especially since we have not really ventured out much at all since March 2020. This was the perfect event for all of us. Thank you and the entire team at Optimist for making this all possible!"
And we liked it, too, as M.L. Cogar put it:
“We were thrilled to find that adding the fully local tour last year allowed us to welcome far more Milwaukeeans to Shakespeare than ever before by coming right to their own backyards or to ones they’ve longed to visit.”
Can I read more about it?
Sure! You can click here to download our most recent press release.
We'll also be updating this page again soon as we confirm show dates, locations, times, and full cast!
Stay tuned to this page and our Facebook Page for updates.
Sure! You can click here to download our most recent press release.
We'll also be updating this page again soon as we confirm show dates, locations, times, and full cast!
Stay tuned to this page and our Facebook Page for updates.