[NEohioPAL] OSF opens "As You Like It"

[Nancy Cates]

Ohio Shakespeare Festival presents As You Like It

at Stan Hywet Hall & Gardens

July 9-25, 2009

 

 

Ohio Shakespeare Festival is making the final preparations for the opening
of its eighth season with William Shakespeare's As You Like It, which begins
its run at OSF's summer venue, historic Stan Hywet Hall & Gardens, in Akron
on July 9.  The performances continue for three weeks, ending on July 25.

 

One of Shakespeare's favorite romantic comedies, As You Like It takes place
in the mythical Forest of Arden, to which most of the Court has been
banished by an evil Duke.  The Duke's daughter Celia, her cousin Rosalind
(disguised as a boy), and the court jester all pursue their comrades into
the forest, where they encounter not only their lost loved ones, but unusual
shepherds, philosophers, and Arden's own band of merry men.

 

Jason and Joy Marr, founding company members of OSF, who played romantic
leads for the Festival in Much Ado, Midsummer, Macbeth, Shrew and Twelfth
Night, are returning to play lovers Orlando and Rosalind.  Jason Marr is
also guest directing As You Like It after many seasons with the company as
an actor.  Joy and Jason have extensive credits in their hometown of NYC,
encompassing almost the entire Shakespearean canon as well as myriad other
classic and contemporary shows.  

 

Dedicated, as was Shakespeare's own company, to the principal of a core
group of actors, many OSF favorites are returning for the 2009 season.
Ernie Gonzalez, of Chicago (The Comedy of Errors, Two Gents...) returns to
play Touchstone the clown.  Mr. Gonzalez will be joining the Improv
Conservatory Program at The Second City Chicago after this show, following
the paths of fellow comedians Jim Belushi and John Candy.  Tess Burgler (I
Hate Hamlet, Macbeth), a recent Phi Beta Kappa, magna cum laude grad in
Theatre and Dance from The College of Wooster, plays the princess Celia;
Alfred Anderson (Hamlet, The Tempest), a retired star of the opera world and
current professor of opera at U. Akron, appears as Duke Senior; along with
Adam Hoffman (Hamlet, Midsummer...) as Amiens, Eric Lualdi as Silvius (Much
Ado, Macbeth), and Henry Bishop (Best Little Whorehouse..., Hamlet) as
Corin.  Local actors Tom Stephan and founding artistic director Terry
Burgler (playing Jacques) take the honors as the two cast members with the
longest tenure, both appearing every season since the Festival's inception
in 2002.

 

Performances are rain or shine at the Lagoon at Stan Hywet, Thursdays
through Sundays at 8pm.  The grounds open at 6:00 for picnicking, with
concessions available for snacks and drinks.  Younger company members
perform a "greenshow" of songs and dances at 7:30, setting the mood of
festivity for the evening.  The beautiful grounds at Stan Hywet are perfect
for strolling, and are well suited for families.  Trams run from the parking
lots to the Lagoon.  Ticket prices range from $20-$27, with student tickets
for $15.  Online ticketing is available at stanhywet.org, or by calling the
box office at (330) 315-3287.  Stan Hywt Hall & Gardens, 714 N. Portage
Path, Akron, OH 44303.  OSF offices: (330) 673-8761.

 

 

-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: <http://lists.neohiopal.org/pipermail/neohiopal-neohiopal.org/attachments/20090629/2e1f0024/attachment-0003.htm>