Oscar-winning actress Lupita Nyong’o is set to star alongside her real-life brother, Junior Nyong’o, in a new production of Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night. The play will reopen the newly renovated Delacorte Theater in Central Park as part of Free Shakespeare in the Park.
Directed by Saheem Ali, the production will run from August 7 to September 14, with an official premiere on August 21.
Lupita will play Viola, while Junior will take on the role of her twin brother Sebastian. The highly anticipated show will also feature an impressive cast, including Emmy and Golden Globe winner Peter Dinklage as Malvolio, Tony winner Jesse Tyler Ferguson as Andrew Aguecheek, and Golden Globe winner Sandra Oh as Olivia.
Other actors joining the cast include b (Antonio), Bill Camp (Sir Toby Belch), Khris Davis (Orsino), Daphne Rubin-Vega (Maria), and Moses Sumney (Feste).
Announcing the news on Instagram, Lupita shared her excitement about performing with her brother, posting a photo of the two of them and writing:
“I’m thrilled to reveal some midsummer madness to look forward to: my brother @juniornyongo and I will take the stage as TWINS in Twelfth Night*. Meet Viola and Sebastian! I can genuinely say that we’ve been preparing for these roles all our lives!”*
Twelfth Night is one of Shakespeare’s most beloved comedies, telling the story of Viola and Sebastian, twins who are separated by a shipwreck. Viola disguises herself as a man to ensure her safety, only to find herself in a complicated love triangle. She falls for Duke Orsino, but he is in love with Countess Olivia, who, in turn, becomes infatuated with Viola’s male disguise. The story is filled with mistaken identities, romance, and comedic misunderstandings.
This marks the seventh time Twelfth Night will be staged at the Delacorte Theater. Previous productions were held in 1969, 1986, 1989, 2002, 2009, and 2018, with the most recent version being an adaptation for Public Works.
Complete casting and the design team for the play will be announced soon.
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