[NEohioPAL]Berko review: 'AS YOU LIKE IT' (GLTF)

[Roy Berko]

‘AS YOU LIKE IT’ DELIGHTS AT GLTF

Roy Berko

(Member, American Theatre Critics Association)

--THE TIMES NEWSPAPERS--

Lorain County Times--Westlaker Times--Lakewood News
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When you go to see ‘AS YOU LIKE IT,’ now on stage at
the Great Lakes Theatre Festival you would be well
served to just forget it was written by William
Shakespeare.   Being open-minded will allow you to
fully enjoy director Risa Brainin’s production without
being upset that it doesn’t use Shakespearean
traditional staging or stick with fidelity to the
Bard’s language.  Just accept Brainin’s creativity in
molding a fine cast into a fun production.

‘AS YOU LIKE IT,’ written about 1598, is one of
Shakespeare’s most-often produced romantic comedies.
It was written just before he moved on to his major
tragedies.  It is not an original concept as it is
based on  Thomas Lodge's ‘ROSALYNDE.’  

The play follows a pastoral tradition of writing in
which a story involves exiles from the court going
into the countryside. While in the rural area, they
held singing contests and philosophically discussed
the various merits of various lifestyles. Shakespeare
used the same concept in ‘A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM.’ 
 The singing aspect allows for a nuance not often seen
in many other Shakespeare productions.  In the GLTF
production, to add to the traditional songs, original
music was written by Brad Carroll.  It is creatively
slipped into the show with a do-op quintet with lead
singer Scott Plate doing not only fine singing, but
creating a delightful portrayal that harks back to the
style of 30’s musical films.

The story begins with the ousting of the Duke, father
of Rosalind, from the throne by his own brother. With
some loyal servants, he hides in the Forest of Arden,
while back in the court Rosalind falls in love with
the orphan Orlando and is subsequently also expelled. 
Rosalind disguises herself as a man, a common
Shakespearean device. (‘TWELFTH NIGHT’ for example has
gender-bending antics.)  She escapes the court and
brings along her friend Celia and Touchstone, the
court jester.  As always in Shakespeare's comedies,
following unmasking and resolution, the couples sort
themselves out appropriately and all is well that ends
well.

As is the case in other Shakespearean comedies, the
audience must realize that the situations are not real
and therefore, observe with a suspension of belief.  
For example, though we may want to question it on a
reality level, in order for the play to work we have
to believe that Duke Senior does not recognize his own
daughter in disguise and accept that Rosalind’s
masquerade as a man goes undetected until the play’s
happy ending.

The GLTF’s production is just plain out-and-out fun. 
Brainin mixes costume, language, musical and staging
styles.  Though traditionalists may quack, the melange
of styles works well.   Scenic Designer Chris
Pickart’s sets work well.  Devon Painter has a great
time blending sado-masochistic leather outfits with
modern garb and sixteenth century clothing.  Janiece
Kelley-Kiteley’s choreography is extremely creative
and well executed.  

The performances are excellent.  Julie Evan Smith as
Rosalind, and Kathryn Cherasaro as Celia, are
delightful.  They play off each other well and create
a charming pair of young court-mannered ladies.  Jeff
Cribbs is properly earnest and love struck as Orlando,
though his slight physical build doesn’t translate
well into his being able to grapple and beat the bulky
Gilgamesh Taggett, the court wrestler.  But, as with
much of this show, it works if you suspend your
logical beliefs.   Chunky Paul Kiernan, as Orlando’s
mean brother who turns nice guy, and Taggett (double
cast as Orlando’s other brother) don’t physically look
like they belong in the same family with the slender
Cribbs, but, again, suspend belief and their acting
carries them to acceptability.

Marc Moritz is delightful as Touchstone, the court
clown.  His black and white split down-the-middle
costume adds to his nuanced performance.  Nina
Dominque is hysterical as his love interest who spends
much of the play being carted around the stage in a
wheelbarrow, with her legs symbolically spread apart. 


Dougfred Miller almost steals the show as Jaques, the
melancholy doomsayer who recites the “All of the
world’s a stage...” soliloquy,  one of the Bard’s most
famous speeches.  After his initial song, each time
Scott Plate strikes the melodramatic pose that
indicates he is about to sing, the audience howled
with delight.  Derdriu Ring (Phebe) and Nicholas
Koesters as her suitor (Silvius) also are wonderful.

CAPSULE JUDGMENT:  GLTF’s ‘AS YOU LIKE IT’ is a
delightful production.  Go with an open mind. 
Remember, this is not traditional Shakespeare, stay
open to what it is and you’ll have a fine time.

‘AS YOU LIKE IT’ and ‘AMADEUS’ are running in tandem
through October 22 .  For tickets to any GLTF
production call 216-241-6000 or 800-766-6048.

EDUCATORS:  GLTF has prepared an excellent Teacher
Preparation Guide for aiding students to understand
and enjoy ‘AS YOU LIKE IT.’   Call GLTF to obtain your
copy.



Roy Berko's web page can be found at www.royberko.info.  His theatre and dance reviews appear on NeOHIOpal, an on-line source.   To subscribe to this free service via the World Wide Web, visit http://lists.fredsternfeld.com/mailman/listinfo/neohiopal.


	
		
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>From jfogel at clevelandplayhouse.com" <jfogel at clevelandplayhouse.com  Wed Oct  5 21:06:23 2005
From: jfogel at clevelandplayhouse.com" <jfogel at clevelandplayhouse.com (Julie Fogel)
Date: Wed, 5 Oct 2005 16:06:23 -0400
Subject: [NEohioPAL]Play House "BOGO" Ticket Offer
Message-ID: <01C5C9C6.BC26E3A0.jfogel at clevelandplayhouse.com>

Our new Audience Development Manager, Vincent DePaul, formerly of Cleveland 
Opera, extends the following ticket offer...


A SPECIAL OFFER FOR NEOHIOPAL SUBCRIBERS

The Cleveland Play House will be holding a one-day only
   2 for 1 TICKET SALE ON
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 6, 2005
FOR THE HILARIOUS 90TH SEASON OPENING PRODUCTION OF
"ROOM SERVICE"
October 7-30, 2005

Theatrical producer Gordon Miller doesn't have a cent to his name. While 
desperately searching for a backer, Miller and his crew camp out at the 
White Way Hotel - in one room!
One of the funniest American plays ever written, Room Service was also made 
into a
classic movie with the Marx Brothers.

Discounted tickets are available for online purchases only at 
www.clevelandplayhouse.com and are valid for the performances on October 7, 
8, 9, 11 and 12th
Please indicate the code BOGO in the promotion code box to receive the 
discount.  Not valid with any other discount or offer.
Limit four.
For additional information contact Vince at 216-795-7000 ext. 234 or at 
vdepaul at clevelandplayhouse.com

Julie Fogel
Associate Director of Marketing & Communications
The Cleveland Play House
216-795-7000 ext. 236
jfogel at clevelandplayhouse.com