The Muhlenberg College Department of Theatre & Dance production of a musical adaptation of William Shakespeare’s “Twelfth Night” is brilliant.

To see the musical adaptation by Kwame Kwei-Armah and Shaina Taub of the Shakespeare classic, is to see “Twelfth Night” with new eyes.

The Kwame Kwei-Armah and Shaina Taub version debuted in 2018’s “Shakespeare in the Park,” Delacorte Theater, Central Park, New York City, as part of the Public Theater’s “Public Works Project.”

The Lehigh Valley debut of the Kwame Kwei-Armah and Shaina Taub musical version of “Twelfth Night” was directed by Muhlenberg College Professor of Theater James Peck with care, compassion and conviviality.

Moreover, the show was sheer fun with a lot of heart by a fabulous cast of Muhlenberg students.

“Twelfth Night” is among Shakespeare’s most treasured works. It has the de Rigueur Shakespeare tropes: mistaken identity, gender disguise, desert island, mocking the socially-mighty and (no spoiler here after 424 years or so since its first performance circa 1602 during “Candlemas,” the conclusion of the Christian liturgical year) a happy ending with a double wedding.

You don’t need to be wed to “Twelfth Night.” You don’t even need to understand it, to revel in it. In the Muhlenberg production, it borders on a rave on a far-off island.

As with so many of Shakespeare’s works, a template, canvas, landscape is only the beginning for director, actors, scenic designer et al’s myriad interpretations to fit the mood of the times, musings of the imagination, and to plumb the depths of Shakespeare’s words, characters and storyline.

“Twelfth Night” is, of course, again as with many of Shakespeare’s works, noted for several famous catch-phrases, none more so than “If music be the food of love, play on.”

In some productions of “Twelfth Night,” that directive is taken up by a strolling troubadour timidly strumming a guitar. Not so in the Muhlenberg production.

Shaina Taub wrote the music and lyrics for a fully-realized score of raucous pop-rock-jazz-funk songs performed by a seven-piece band, including Music Director-Conductor Ashley Hiester, bolstered by Sound Designer Minjae Kim, worthy of an album-release party.

And what a party it was on the stage of the Dorothy Hess Baker Theatre, Trexler Pavilion for Theatre & Dance, Muhlenberg College, Allentown, where “Twelfth Night,” at 90 minutes with no intermission, ran April 23-26. The April 24 performance was seen for this review.

The truly stunning set by co-scenic designers You-Shin Chen and Ly C. Tamburri-Murry, depicts Illyria, where Viola washed up on shore, is anything but washed-up.

Backdropped by an offset sun-spray mid-century modern influenced sunflower windmill comet billboard medallion with blazing rays (that light up, no less), outlines of palm trees, three bandbox striped frames, buildings and two-step platform (with a set piece flying perfectly in place), in pink, orange, purple, blue and yellow pastels with signs, including in the shape of surfboards, proclaiming “If music be the food of love, play on!” Now that’s a stage set.

Lighting Designer Haley Brown keeps the set island-bright. Costume Designer Rebecca Kanach has outfitted the cast in fabulous thrift-shop inspired chic.

Choreographer Noel Price-Bracey keeps the cast hoppin’ and lockin’ and poppin.’ This is “Twelfth Night” on spring break. It’s Barbie’s “Twelfth Night.”

The songs’ lyrics provide keen insight into the source material, expand upon themes and deepen one’s understanding of the emotional core of the characters, inspiring one to re-read Shakespeare’s words and see this musical interpretation again (sigh ... if only).

The cast is in uniformly good voice, in solos, duets and chorus.

The show opens forthrightly with “Play On” by Noelle Simone (Feste), Iris Jordan (Viola), Dami Shote (Orsino), Sophia Betit (Olivia) and the Illyrians.

The Illyrians carry on magnificently with “Word on the Street.” They are a Greek Chorus of gleeful dancers and singers.

“If You Were My Beloved” by Iris Jordan (Viola), Sophia Betit (Olivia) and Dami Shote (Orsino) is a beautiful love song beautifully rendered.

“Viola’s Soliloquy” is a lovely lament by Iris Jordan (Viola).

“You’re the Worst” displays the musical’s often laugh-out-loud hilarity by Noelle Simone (Feste), Addison Kayne Hite (Andrew), Jules Idigbe (Fabian), Caden Dowgin (Sir Toby Belch), Faith Miller (Maria), Johnny Galletti (Malvolio) and the chorus of Illyrians.

The musical has many fine songs, especially “Is This Not Love,” sung with emotional reverence by Noelle Simone (Feste).

There’s no rest for the show’s main figure of fun in “Greatness” by Johnny Galletti (Malvolio), a show-stopper if there ever was.

“Eyes of Another” celebrates the musical “Twelfth Night” insights, that of seeing another person’s viewpoint, as sung by Iris Jordan (Viola), Dami Shote (Orsino), Sophia Betit (Olivia), Alec Gould (Sebastian), Noelle Simone (Feste), Johnny Galletti (Malvolio), Jason Akwei (Antonio) and the Illryians, giving the show and audience a wonderful sendoff.

Under the direction of James Peck, this superb production of a full-fledged musical “Twelfth Night” is a “Twelfth Night” to end all. And that’s a great place to begin.

Information: https://www.muhlenberg.edu/muhlenberg-now/twelfth-night-celebration/