Performances Run August 9 – September 2
“Love is merely a madness” – Act III, Scene ii
(Lenox, MA) – Shakespeare & Company presents William Shakespeare’s beloved comedy As You Like It, directed by the Company’s Artistic Director Allyn Burrows, who helmed last season’s acclaimed production of The Tempest. The Bard’s madcap story follows Rosalind, played by two-time Elliot Norton Award winner Aimee Doherty, who escapes a threatening world of oppression in the pursuit of love and the prospect of new horizons. Set in the Roaring Twenties, As You Like It will be performed outdoors in The Roman Garden Theatre, specially reconfigured for the season’s special sunset performances running from August 9 to September 2.
“As You Like It, with its theme of escape from the ominous menace of the Court to the sublime possibilities of love and new horizons in the countryside, evokes for me a particular period of self-discovery: The Roaring Twenties,” said Director Allyn Burrows. “Stylistically tipping the hat to that age of intense change seemed fitting, given Rosalind’s and others’ life altering journeys in this tale. I keep wondering why Shakespeare named the play As You Like It, except to say that love, combined with wit, is a joy to savor.”
The As You like it cast features a mix of Company veterans and newcomers including, Gregory Boover (Silvius), Thomas Brazzle (Oliver/Aubrey), MaConnia Chesser (Touchstone), Aimee Doherty (Rosalind), Nigel Gore (Duke Senior, Duke Frederick), Deaon Griffin-Pressley (Orlando), Zoë Laiz (Celia), Ella Loudon (Phoebe), and Mark Zeisler (Charles/Jacques). The creative team includes Jim Youngerman (Set Design), Govane Lohbauer (Costume Design), Arshan Gailus (Sound Design and Original Music), Diane Healy (Stage Manager), Ariel Bock (Vocal Coach), Karen Beaumont (Movement Coach), and Susan Dibble (Choreographer).
“It’s a thrill to work with this cast who are so totally willing to throw themselves into the crazy moments of this wily play,” added Burrows.
“Rather than a stage, the playing space will be a very natural, undulating forest floor adding to the nature of the space in theater experience,” said Set Designer Jim Youngerman. “The set for As You Like It incorporates into the design existing elements in The Roman Garden Theater – a unique and alluring outdoor theater space.Saint Martin’s Hall, which dominates two sides of space with its classic art deco architecture will be adorned to represent the Court. The two large white pine trees on the west side of the theater, with the help of many white birch saplings, which will be planted in and around the playing space, become the enchanting forest of Arden. ”
Tickets for As You Like It are available online at shakespeare.org or by calling Shakespeare & Company’s box office at (413) 637-3353. The Roman Garden Theatre is outdoors and wheelchair accessible. Shakespeare & Company is located at 70 Kemble St. in Lenox, Massachusetts. As You Like It is generously sponsored by The Dr. Gerald and Roberta Friedman Foundation. Additionally, Shakespeare & Company invites audiences to participate in a Conversation With the Artists on Saturday, August 18th at 2pm. Join Artistic Director Allyn Burrows, and the As You Like It actors, for an enlightening discussion about the production’s concept, creative process and the collaborative journey. For tickets and more information visit shakespeare.org.
In addition to As You Like It, the Company’s 2018 Summer Season includes Shakespeare’s Macbeth in the Tina Packer Playhouse and Love’s Labor’s Lostoutdoors at The Mount; plus Creditors by August Strindberg, adapted by David Greig; Heisenberg by Simon Stephens, recipient of the Laurence Olivier Award; Mothers and Sons by Tony Award-winning playwright Terrence McNally; and HIR by Pulitzer Prize finalist Taylor Mac.
AT A GLANCE
PRODUCTION: As You Like It
PLAYWRIGHT: William Shakespeare
DIRECTOR: Allyn Burrows
ASSISTANT DIRECTOR: Lydia Barnett-Mulligan
SET DESIGNER: Jim Youngerman
COSTUME DESIGNER: Govane Lohbauer
SOUND DESIGNER AND ORIGINAL MUSIC: Arshan Gailus
STAGE MANAGER: Diane Healy
VOCAL COACH: Ariel Bock
MOVEMENT COACH: Karen Beaumont
CHOREOGRAPHER: Susan Dibble
CAST MEMBERS
SILVIUS: Gregory Boover
OLIVER/AUBREY: Thomas Brazzle
TOUCHSTONE: MaConnia Chesser
ROSALIND: Aimee Doherty
DUKE SENIOR/DUKE FREDERICK: Nigel Gore
ORLANDO: Deaon Griffin-Pressley
CELIA: Zoë Laiz
PHOEBE: Ella Loudon
CHARLES/JACQUES: Mark Zeisler
SCHEDULE
AUGUST
Thursday, August 9 – 5:00 PM (preview)
Friday, August 10 – 5:00 PM (preview)
Saturday, August 11 – 5:00 PM (preview)
Sunday, August 12 – 5:00 PM (opening)
Tuesday, August 14 – 5:00 PM
Wednesday, August 15 – 5:00 PM
Thursday, August 16 – 5:00 PM
Friday, August 17 – 5:00 PM
Saturday, August 18 – 5:00 PM
Sunday, August 19 – 5:00 PM
Tuesday, August 21 – 5:00 PM
Wednesday, August 22 – 5:00 PM
Thursday, August 23 – 5:00 PM
Friday, August 24 – 5:00 PM
Saturday, August 25 – 5:00 PM
Sunday, August 26 – 5:00 PM
Tuesday, August 28 – 5:00 PM
Wednesday, August 29 – 5:00 PM
Thursday, August 30 – 5:00 PM
Friday, August 31 – 5:00 PM
SEPTEMBER
Saturday, September 1 – 5:00 PM
Sunday, September 2 – 5:00 PM (closing)
PLOT SUMMARY
Duke Senior has been usurped and banished from court by his younger brother Duke Frederick. Oliver de Boys is withholding from his younger brother, Orlando, his rightful inheritance. Their father was Sir Rowland de Boys, whom Duke Frederick claims was his enemy. Rosalind, the daughter of Duke Senior, is suddenly banished from court by her uncle, Duke Frederick, father of her cousin, Celia. Off they venture into the Forest of Arden, but not before Rosalind is smitten on first sight of Orlando at a wrestling match. Orlando must also flee the town due to his brother’s murderous intentions. With so many nobles heading to the woods, adventures dangerous, humorous, and love-struck ensue while fools Touchstone and Jacques lend their unique perspectives toward what results in a wonderfully gratifying conclusion.
RAIN POLICY
From time to time weather may affect your enjoyment of the performance in The Roman Garden Theatre. Most often the show will go on and depending on the severity of the rain, will be performed as scheduled. If rain is heavy, performance in The Roman Garden Theatre will be moved to the Company’s tented Rose Theatre.
About Allyn Burrows
(Twentieth Season; Artistic Director; Director: As You Like It) S&Co: Director of 40th Season’s The Tempest. Performances: God of Carnage, Or, King John, Much Ado About Nothing, Henry V, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Henry IV Part 1, etc. As Artistic Director of Actors’ Shakespeare Project, directed numerous productions and performed in The Winter’s Tale, Henry VIII, Twelfth Night, King Lear, etc. Performances in Boston includeCan You Forgive Her (Huntington Theatre), Breaking the Code (Underground Railway Theatre), Shipwrecked (The Lyric Stage), The Seafarer and The Homecoming (Merrimack Repertory Theater), Five by Tenn (Speakeasy Stage). Elliot Norton Award for The Homecoming, King Lear, Five by Tenn; IRNE Award for Breaking the Code. Off-Broadway: Bug, Killer Joe, Louis Slotin Sonata, Closetland, etc. Regionally: Actors’ Theatre of Louisville, American Conservatory Theatre, Long Wharf, Denver Center, Walnut St. Television: “The Broad Squad,” “Law and Order,” “Law and Order: Criminal Intent,” “Against the Law.” Films include The Company Men, Julie & Julia, and Manchester by the Sea.
About William Shakespeare
(Playwright: Macbeth, As You Like It, Love’s Labor’s Lost) was an English poet, playwright, and actor, widely regarded as the greatest writer in the English language and the world’s pre-eminent dramatist. His works, including some collaborations, consist of about 37 plays, 154 sonnets, two long narrative poems, and several other poems. His plays have been translated into every major language and are performed more often than those of any other playwright.
About Shakespeare & Company
Located in the beautiful Berkshires of Western Massachusetts, Shakespeare & Company is one of the leading Shakespeare festivals of the world. Founded in 1978, the organization attracts over 40,000 patrons annually. The Company is also home to an internationally renowned Center for Actor Training and award-winning Education Program. More information is available at www.shakespeare.org.
Photos: As You Like It Rehearsal Photos
