[NEohioPAL] Review of "As You Like It" at Great Lakes Theater

[Bob Abelman]

There is much to love in Great Lakes' 'As You Like It'

 

Bob Abelman

Cleveland Jewish News

Member, International Association of Theatre Critics 

 

This review will appear in the Cleveland Jewish News on 4/11/14

 

 

It is testimony to the quality of Shakespeare's writing that, 415 years after its premiere, "As You Like It" still holds up as a delightful romantic comedy and beguiling piece of social commentary.  

 

And it is testimony to the integrity of Great Lakes Theater that, 52 years after its inception, it is still conjuring up new, effective and entertaining ways to re-imagine Shakespeare's work.   

 

"As You Like It" is one of the Bard's most beloved "trouser tales" that places a woman in man's clothing as much for its comedic opportunities as a chance to offer observations about human nature in general and gender roles in particular.  

 

In the play, plucky and resourceful Rosalind - dressed as a man for disguise and protection - flees the confines of her Uncle's corrupt fiefdom for the Forest of Arden, along with her cousin Celia and the court fool Touchstone.  There, she will rendezvous with her father, the rightful Duke, who has already been exiled along with his followers.  She will also run into Orlando, a young gentleman who fell in love with her, and she with him, upon their first meeting in her Uncle's court.  

 

By setting part of the play within the dense, dark confines of modern civilization and the rest in a gorgeous wilderness unencumbered by power, politics or social class, "As You Like It" also explores the state of the human spirit when it loses and then regains its intellectual bearings and moral compass.  

 

Consequently, modern retellings of this 1590's play are ripe for relocation to a time and place better positioned to drive home these grand themes.  

 

GLT director Edward Morgan sets this play in the midst of the second Industrial Revolution at the start of the 20th century - when greedy industrialists seeking power co-exist with Suffragettes demanding woman's rights.  The pastoral Forest of Arden is located in the foothills of the Adirondack Mountains.  

 

This works beautifully.  In fact, this era - with period-specific music (courtesy of music director Nathan Motta) and a very realistic, bare-fisted wrestling match (staged by Ken Merckx) woven into the mix - serves as a perfect backdrop for all the comedy, romance and drama this play has to offer.

 

Traditionally, productions of "As You Like It" sink or swim on the charm and fortitude of its Rosalind and the charm and romanticism of its Orlando.  Betsy Mugavero and Torsten Johnson nail it in this production.  Well, they nail it independently.  They could be more convincing as soul mates when together as man and woman at the very beginning and end of the play, and more in harmony, hormonally, when together as man and mannequin throughout most of the play.  

No matter, for it is the overall strength of the entire ensemble and the ease with which they stay true to Shakespeare's prose and poetry within this more modern setting that makes this production soar.

In particular, Dougfred Miller doubles up and is thoroughly convincing as the malevolent Duke Frederick and benevolent Duke Senior.  David Anthony Smith, as the perpetually despondent Jaques, milks every line laden with eye-rolling melancholy for its comedic effect while nicely soft-selling the play's famous "All the world's a stage" speech.  Dustin Tucker, as Touchstone, sports gaudy carpetbagger clothing (courtesy of costume designer Kim Krumm Sorenson) and a vaudevillian's comic timing.  He is a walking, talking sight gag. 

 

Atlie Gilbert is a pleasant surprise as Audrey, a young goat-herd and the object of Touchstone's affections.  In a role often overshadowed by Touchstone's outrageousness, Gilbert holds her own and then some.  

 

Russell Metheny's scenic design, which consists of rotating panels that present the rusted exterior of an industrial complex on one side and images of tall evergreen trees on the other, is functional but creatively uninspired.  Though stark, there is nothing particularly oppressive or foreboding about the Duke's court.  Though attractive, there is nothing particularly intoxicating or rejuvenating about the forest.  

 

What transpires in these places, however, is nothing short of wonderful.  To quote Celia from the play, "I like this place. And willingly could waste my time in it." 

 

WHAT:            "As You Like It"

WHERE:        The Hanna Theatre, PlayhouseSquare in downtown Cleveland

WHEN:           Through Saturday, April 19

TICKETS:       $13 - $70, call 216-241-6000 or visit to www.greatlakestheater.org
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