‘Twelfth Night’ at Ye Olde Theatre Eaters

OC Theatre Guild
17 hours ago
4 min read

Shakespeare comedy reimagined through a Western lens.

From left, Morgan Holcomb, Colin Rinard and Ash Frost. Photo courtesy of Kiya Sakari

By Anne Reid

“Twelfth Night” is a beloved Shakespearean romantic comedy about twins Viola and Sebastian, who are separated by a shipwreck. In this modern take, it’s set on the coast of California, where Viola seeks to rebuild her place in the world. She disguises herself as a man named Cesario and enters the service of the lovesick Duke Orsino, who sends her to court the reserved Lady Olivia on his behalf. Instead, Lady Olivia falls for Cesario, setting off a chain of confusion that deepens with Sebastian’s arrival. What unfolds is a lively comedy of mistaken identity that explores love, longing and the strange ways people perform for one another.

Opening at Cabrillo Playhouse on May 8, “Twelfth Night” is directed by Harrison Tate-Pascua of Ye Olde Theatre Eaters, a nonprofit he co-founded with Colin Rinard. The production leans into the flexibility of Shakespeare’s text while placing the story in a stylized Western world. According to Tate-Pascua, “The play invites reinvention,” noting that it can be set in any time or place as long as the choices are intentional. What began as a more specific California Gold Rush concept gradually evolved into a broader Western aesthetic. ‘We’re allowing the production to draw from familiar imagery without being confined by historical accuracy,” Tate-Pascua said.

In this case, it’s less about style and more about perspective. Tate-Pascua sees the setting as a way to expand who’s allowed to exist in traditional storytelling spaces. Rather than centering identity on conflict, the production casts a diverse group in the Western world and allows them to simply exist within it. “The goal is to challenge long-standing assumptions about who belongs in both Shakespeare and the Western genre without making that challenge feel forced or didactic,” Rinard said.

From left, Mara Stanford and Stede Hendricks. Photo courtesy of Kiya Sakari

Originally launched as a student organization at UC Irvine, Ye Olde Theatre Eaters has grown into a community-focused effort to make theater more accessible and representative. It continues to prioritize opportunities for emerging artists while encouraging audiences to engage with classical work in new ways. Partnering with local theater is just one way to engage, and they’re excited about the opportunity.

For Rinard, “Twelfth Night” is particularly relevant now because of its exploration of gender and identity. He said the play examines “the societal impacts of gender and performing your role in the way that’s expected by society,” and noted that those themes resonate strongly in the current cultural moment. He added that in a time when conversations around gender are more visible and more contested, the play feels especially urgent. In his view, there is no better moment to revisit a story that so directly engages with performance, identity and expectation.

Rinard also described Tate-Pascua’s directing style as collaborative to the core. Rather than imposing a rigid vision, he said the director offers a framework and invites actors to shape the details. “He has the broad strokes of a beautiful painting that you as an actor get to fill in,” Rinard said, emphasizing that performers are encouraged to contribute their own ideas and instincts throughout the process. That openness has helped create a rehearsal environment rooted in trust and shared ownership.

Cabrillo Playhouse has been central to the company’s recent growth. After searching for a venue for its debut production of “Romeo and Juliet,” Ye Olde Theatre Eaters found a home in the outdoor space, which Tate-Pascua said immediately felt right for their work. The company developed a strong relationship with the theater and its staff, particularly Michael Lopez, whose support helped them become more connected to the broader Orange County theater community.

Ash Frost. Photo courtesy of Kiya Sakari

Returning to the same space for “Twelfth Night” allowed the team to build on that foundation. The outdoor setting continues to shape the production, especially in its design choices. With limited set and lighting capabilities, the creative team has leaned into sound and music to establish tone and atmosphere. Sound designer Meili Monk creates an auditory landscape that supports both the comedic rhythm and emotional undercurrents of the play, while music director Carter Rutkoski provides original compositions that help bridge Shakespeare’s language with the Western setting.

Costuming, led by Tracey Rinard and Colin Rinard, reinforces the production's visual world without strictly adhering to historical accuracy. The designs draw on Western imagery while leaving room for contemporary identity and expression. Colin Rinard also contributes to set elements and fight coordination, reflecting the multilayered collaboration that defines the company’s process.

Casting combines artists from the company’s residency program with performers brought in through auditions and previous collaborations. Tate-Pascua noted that working with people he already knew created a strong foundation of trust, allowing rehearsals to focus on exploration rather than basic cohesion. The result has been a process he described as both efficient and creatively fulfilling.

From left, Harrison Tate-Pascua and Jimmy Leys. Photo courtesy of Kiya Sakari

That sense of connection extends beyond the rehearsal room. Rinard said working on the production has been deeply meaningful, calling the company itself a lifelong dream realized. He expressed gratitude for the opportunity to collaborate with Tate-Pascua and the broader team and said he hopes the production will encourage more audiences to engage with classical theater. These plays have endured for a reason, he said, and revisiting them with new voices keeps them alive.

At its core, this “Twelfth Night” is about more than mistaken identity and romantic confusion. It’s an invitation to reconsider how stories are told and who gets to tell them. By placing a diverse group of artists into a familiar narrative and allowing them to shape it together, the production offers a fresh perspective on a well-known play.

As audiences gather at Cabrillo Playhouse, they can expect a lively and thoughtful interpretation that honors Shakespeare’s comedy while opening the door to something more expansive. With its blend of humor, music and reimagined setting, “Twelfth Night” promises an evening that’s both entertaining and quietly transformative.