For many theatergoers, Shakespeare can feel intimidating. The language is centuries old, the plots can become tangled, and it is easy to worry about missing an important detail. Full Circle Players has built its annual Shakespeare in the Park series around eliminating those concerns, inviting audiences to simply relax, laugh, and enjoy one of the Bard's most beloved comedies under the summer sky.

That philosophy was evident before Twelfth Night even began.

Director Wendi Johnson welcomed the audience by encouraging anyone unfamiliar with the play to pick up a synopsis from the front table or access the digital program online. She reminded attendees that Full Circle Players exists to make Shakespeare accessible to everyone, regardless of prior experience, and highlighted the organization's broader mission of providing "theater for all" through free performances, a pay-what-you-can youth theater camp, and partnerships that bring live theater into parks across Southern California.

It is a mission perfectly matched to Twelfth Night, a comedy built around mistaken identities, absurd misunderstandings, and larger-than-life personalities.

The story begins after twins Viola and Sebastian are separated in a shipwreck, each believing the other has died. Disguising herself as a young man named Cesario, Viola enters the service of Duke Orsino, who is hopelessly in love with the Countess Olivia. Olivia, however, falls not for Orsino, but for Cesario, unaware that "he" is actually Viola in disguise. What follows is a delightfully tangled web of romance, deception, and comic misunderstandings that gradually spirals into complete chaos before ultimately finding its happy resolution.

While Shakespeare provides the blueprint, Full Circle Players succeeds because of a cast that understands both the heart and humor at the center of the play.

Stephanie Yglesias serves as the emotional backbone of the production in the role of Viola. Amid the whirlwind of disguises, mistaken identities, and increasingly ridiculous antics unfolding around her, Yglesias delivers a grounded, sincere performance that keeps the audience emotionally invested. Her portrayal makes it remarkably easy to follow the twists of the story, particularly for audience members experiencing Twelfth Night for the first time.

The evening's standout performance, however, belongs to Serena Davis as Feste.

As Olivia's fool, Feste occupies a unique place within Shakespeare's world, acting as comedian, musician, philosopher, and commentator all at once. Davis effortlessly captures each facet of the character, moving between sharp wit, playful banter, and moments of surprising wisdom. Whether exchanging clever insults or observing the increasingly absurd behavior of the surrounding characters, Davis commands every appearance on stage. Feste may technically be the fool, but this production leaves little doubt that the character is also the smartest person in the room.

Much of the production's biggest laughter comes courtesy of Jeremy Mercado's Sir Toby Belch and Tedy Setlak's Sir Andrew Aguecheek. The pair embraces Shakespeare's lovable drunkards with infectious enthusiasm, creating an entertaining partnership built on overconfidence, questionable judgment, and endless mischief. Their comic chemistry fuels nearly every prank and misunderstanding that follows, providing the engine that keeps the comedy racing forward.

One of the primary victims of those schemes is Romeo Maybrier's wonderfully pompous Malvolio. After being tricked by a forged letter into believing Olivia secretly loves him, Malvolio confidently transforms himself into exactly the sort of ridiculous suitor the pranksters had hoped for. Maybrier commits wholeheartedly to the character's inflated self-importance, making his famously absurd appearance in yellow stockings and crossed garters one of the evening's funniest sequences. The performance invites plenty of laughter while still allowing audiences to recognize the character's growing humiliation as the joke unfolds.

Although the principal cast shines, the production benefits from an ensemble that understands the rhythm of Shakespearean comedy. Quick pacing, strong chemistry, and confident delivery keep the play moving smoothly, allowing even the more complex verbal exchanges to remain approachable without sacrificing Shakespeare's language.

The outdoor setting further enhances the experience. Presented beneath the trees at California Citrus State Historic Park, the natural surroundings create an inviting atmosphere that feels far removed from the formality often associated with Shakespeare. Families spread out on blankets and lawn chairs, children wander the audience, and the production embraces the relaxed community spirit that has become a hallmark of Full Circle Players' annual summer tradition.

For the Friday night performance, audiences were also treated to a showcase featuring participants from the company's Youth Shakespeare Theatre Camp. Johnson explained that this year's camp operated on a pay-what-you-can basis, reinforcing the organization's commitment to ensuring financial barriers never prevent someone from experiencing or participating in live theater. It is another example of Full Circle Players viewing Shakespeare not as exclusive literature, but as a shared community experience.

For anyone who has ever felt hesitant about attending Shakespeare because it seemed too difficult or intimidating, Twelfth Night provides an excellent introduction. Full Circle Players embraces the play's humor without losing sight of its emotional core, delivering a production that is equally welcoming to longtime Shakespeare enthusiasts and first-time audiences alike.

The California Citrus State Historic Park performances have concluded, but audiences still have several opportunities to catch the production. Twelfth Night continues tonight and Friday, July 17, at Fairmount Park in Riverside, before traveling to Lake Perris State Recreation Area on July 25 and concluding its summer tour the following weekend in Temecula. Admission remains free, though donations are encouraged to help Full Circle Players continue its mission of bringing accessible theater to communities throughout the Inland Empire. Bring a lawn chair or blanket, settle in under the evening sky, and discover why Shakespeare's comedy of mistaken identities continues to delight audiences more than 400 years after it was written.