It's been called the most complete Shakespearean comedy written.

William Shakespeare's Twelfth Night will be performed Nov. 18 through Dec. 6 in the Playhouse Theatre by the Penn State School of Theatre's University Resident Theatre Company.

The play does not stray too far from a usual Shakespearean play. There is a bounty of love triangles, false identities and tragic irony.

The play begins with Viola finding herself stranded on a mysterious island after a shipwreck that is assumed to have taken her twin brother's life. Disguising herself as a page to the local duke, she witnesses unrequited love and confusion from the Countess Olivia.

The play is also highlighted by Sir Toby, a drunken buffoon, who plans plenty of mischief to entertain audiences for the evening.

Carla Matero (graduate-fine arts) plays Viola and said her gender-bending role was a great experience and that playing a woman dressed as a man was unique.

"It was more of a point of view shift," Matero said.

Mark Olsen, director of the play, is directing Shakespeare for the third time, but the first time on a full stage.

"I usually like to strip down Shakespeare to be more minimalist," Olsen said.

When asked why he chose this particular play, Olsen said, "It has one of the most complete plot structures and the least amount of arcane language."

Olsen had the opportunity to take some of his graduate students to London this summer to study at Marymount College. There, the students were able to study Shakespeare in a more advantageous environment. While in London, students were even able to see shows at the famed Globe Theatre, a replica of where Shakespeare showcased his plays.

The play has a cast of 19 members who range from undergraduate students to theater professors.

One of the senior members of the cast is William Schroder, who teaches theater at Penn State. Schroder said it gives him a great opportunity to interact with students.

"I haven't acted in over 30 years but it's been a remarkable experience," Schroder, who designed the set, said.

Schroder plays the gossipy Malvolio and said he is a "benchmark character to the play."

Another senior member in the cast is Robert Vernon, who plays the drunken Sir Toby. Schroder said Vernon is having a lot of fun with the role and is a spectacle of pure hilarity.

Tickets for Twelfth Night are available at the Penn State Downtown Ticket Center, 146 S. Allen St., Eisenhower Auditorium, the Bryce Jordan Center or by calling 863-0255 or 1-800-ARTS-TIX. Previews will be on Tuesday and Nov. 20, with full performances beginning Nov. 21 and running through Dec. 6.

Most shows begin at 8 p.m., but there will be some matinees. Students are offered discount tickets, when available, 30 minutes before each play performance.