“If music be the food of love, play on!” exclaimed the character Duke Orsino at the beginning of Elm Shakespeare Company’s production of Twelfth Night.

Elm Shakespeare Company is based in New Haven, and each summer, they put on a play in Edgerton Park in New Haven.

The actors and tech crew consist of members of both New Haven and surrounding communities.

Elm Shakespeare Company also allows a group of students from high schools in the area to join the company.

James Andreassi, who played Sir Toby Belch in the show, also directed this year’s production of Twelfth Night. Among the cast were two University of New Haven students, senior, Josh Dill, and class of 2015 alumus, Keith Watford.

Twelfth Night is a story about a set of identical twins, Viola and Sebastian, who are separated in a shipwreck. Viola encounters Duke Orsino, and in an attempt to get to know him, disguises herself as Sebastian.

Duke Orsino is attempting to woo a woman named Olivia, and sends Viola, disguised as Sebastian, to give her a message. In that time, Olivia falls in love with Viola, disguised as Sebastian, and Viola falls in love with Duke Orsino.

Elm Shakespeare Company depends on donations to continue to provide free shows for the community. At each show, they suggest that playgoers should give a donation, but it is not required.

Some of their sponsors include the Whitney Center, Webster Bank, Southern Connecticut State University and Yale.

This year, University of New Haven was also a sponsor to Elm Shakespeare Company.

Be on the lookout next summer for Elm Shakespeare Company’s production.