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<P style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; LINE-HEIGHT: normal; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"
class=MsoNormal align=center><STRONG><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; COLOR: #322c2a; FONT-SIZE: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: normal; mso-bidi-font-style: italic">There
is much to love in Great Lakes’ ‘As You Like It’</SPAN></STRONG><STRONG><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; COLOR: #322c2a; FONT-SIZE: 12pt"><?xml:namespace
prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office"
/><o:p></o:p></SPAN></STRONG></P>
<P
style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; LINE-HEIGHT: normal; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; BACKGROUND: white"
class=MsoNormal align=center><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; COLOR: #363636; FONT-SIZE: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; LINE-HEIGHT: normal; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"
class=MsoNormal align=center><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; FONT-SIZE: 12pt">Bob
Abelman<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; LINE-HEIGHT: normal; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"
class=MsoNormal align=center><I style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal"><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; FONT-SIZE: 12pt">Cleveland Jewish
News<o:p></o:p></SPAN></I></P>
<P style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; LINE-HEIGHT: normal; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"
class=MsoNormal align=center><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; FONT-SIZE: 12pt">Member, International
Association of Theatre Critics <o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; LINE-HEIGHT: normal; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"
class=MsoNormal align=center><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; FONT-SIZE: 12pt"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; LINE-HEIGHT: normal; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"
class=MsoNormal align=center><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; FONT-SIZE: 12pt">This review will
appear in the <I style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal">Cleveland Jewish News
</I>on 4/11/14<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="LINE-HEIGHT: normal; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; BACKGROUND: white"
class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; COLOR: #363636; FONT-SIZE: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="LINE-HEIGHT: normal; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"
class=MsoNormal><STRONG><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; COLOR: #322c2a; FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-WEIGHT: normal; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></STRONG></P>
<P style="LINE-HEIGHT: normal; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"
class=MsoNormal><STRONG><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; COLOR: #322c2a; FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-WEIGHT: normal; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold">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.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes">
</SPAN><o:p></o:p></SPAN></STRONG></P>
<P style="LINE-HEIGHT: normal; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"
class=MsoNormal><STRONG><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; COLOR: #322c2a; FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-WEIGHT: normal; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></STRONG></P>
<P style="LINE-HEIGHT: normal; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"
class=MsoNormal><STRONG><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; COLOR: #322c2a; FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-WEIGHT: normal; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold">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.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes">
</SPAN><SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN><o:p></o:p></SPAN></STRONG></P>
<P style="LINE-HEIGHT: normal; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"
class=MsoNormal><STRONG><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; COLOR: #322c2a; FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-WEIGHT: normal; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></STRONG></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'"><FONT size=3>“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.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN><o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'"><o:p><FONT
size=3> </FONT></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><FONT size=3><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'">In the play, plucky and resourceful
Rosalind</SPAN><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; mso-ansi-language: EN"> </SPAN><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'">– 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.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>There, she will rendezvous with her
father, the rightful Duke, who has already been exiled along with his
followers.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>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.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes">
</SPAN><o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'"><o:p><FONT
size=3> </FONT></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><FONT size=3><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'">By setting part of the play within the
dense, dark confines of modern civilization and the rest in a gorgeous
wilderness </SPAN><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; mso-ansi-language: EN"
lang=EN>unencumbered by power, politics or social class, </SPAN><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'">“As You Like It” also explores the
state of the human spirit when it loses and then regains its intellectual
bearings and moral compass. <SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN><o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'"><o:p><FONT
size=3> </FONT></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'"><FONT size=3>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.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN><o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'"><o:p><FONT
size=3> </FONT></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'"><FONT size=3>GLT director Edward
Morgan sets this play in the midst of the second Industrial Revolution at the
start of the 20<SUP>th</SUP> century – when greedy industrialists seeking power
co-exist with Suffragettes demanding woman’s rights.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>The pastoral Forest of Arden is located
in the foothills of the Adirondack Mountains.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN><o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'"><o:p><FONT
size=3> </FONT></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><FONT size=3><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'">This works beautifully. <SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>In fact, this era – with period-specific
music (courtesy of music director Nathan Motta) and a very realistic,
bare-fisted wrestling match </SPAN><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; mso-ansi-language: EN" lang=EN>(staged
by Ken Merckx) </SPAN><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'">woven into
the mix – serves as a perfect backdrop for all the comedy, romance and drama
this play has to offer.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'"><o:p><FONT
size=3> </FONT></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><FONT size=3><EM><SPAN
style="FONT-STYLE: normal; FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-ansi-language: EN"
lang=EN>Traditionally, productions of “As You Like It”</SPAN></EM><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; mso-ansi-language: EN" lang=EN> sink
or swim on the charm and fortitude of its Rosalind and the charm and romanticism
of its Orlando.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Betsy Mugavero and
Torsten Johnson nail it in this production.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Well, they nail it independently.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>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. <SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN><o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P style="LINE-HEIGHT: 12pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; mso-ansi-language: EN" lang=EN><FONT
size=3>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.<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><FONT size=3><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; mso-ansi-language: EN" lang=EN>In
particular, Dougfred Miller doubles up and is thoroughly convincing as the
malevolent Duke Frederick and benevolent Duke Senior.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>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.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Dustin Tucker, as
Touchstone, sports gaudy carpetbagger clothing </SPAN><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'">(courtesy of costume designer Kim
Krumm Sorenson) </SPAN><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; mso-ansi-language: EN" lang=EN>and a
vaudevillian’s comic timing. <SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>He is
a walking, talking sight gag. <o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; mso-ansi-language: EN"
lang=EN><o:p><FONT size=3> </FONT></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; mso-ansi-language: EN" lang=EN><FONT
size=3>Atlie Gilbert is a pleasant surprise as Audrey, a young goat-herd and the
object of Touchstone’s affections.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes">
</SPAN>In a role often overshadowed by Touchstone’s outrageousness, Gilbert
holds her own and then some. <SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN><o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; mso-ansi-language: EN"
lang=EN><o:p><FONT size=3> </FONT></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; mso-ansi-language: EN" lang=EN><FONT
size=3>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.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Though stark, there is nothing
particularly oppressive or foreboding about the Duke’s court.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Though attractive, there is nothing
particularly intoxicating or rejuvenating about the forest.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN><o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; mso-ansi-language: EN"
lang=EN><o:p><FONT size=3> </FONT></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; mso-ansi-language: EN" lang=EN><FONT
size=3>What transpires in these places, however, is nothing short of
wonderful.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>To quote Celia from the
play, “I like this place. And willingly could waste my time in it.”
<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; mso-ansi-language: EN"
lang=EN><o:p><FONT size=3> </FONT></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P
style="LINE-HEIGHT: normal; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-AUTOSPACE: ; mso-layout-grid-align: none"
class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; FONT-SIZE: 12pt">WHAT:<SPAN
style="mso-tab-count: 1">
</SPAN>“As You Like It<SPAN
style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-style: italic">”<o:p></o:p></SPAN></SPAN></P>
<P
style="LINE-HEIGHT: normal; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-AUTOSPACE: ; mso-layout-grid-align: none"
class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; FONT-SIZE: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-style: italic">WHERE:<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN><SPAN
style="mso-tab-count: 1"> </SPAN>The Hanna
Theatre, PlayhouseSquare in downtown Cleveland<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P
style="LINE-HEIGHT: normal; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-AUTOSPACE: ; mso-layout-grid-align: none"
class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; FONT-SIZE: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-style: italic">WHEN:<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN><SPAN
style="mso-tab-count: 1">
</SPAN>Through Saturday, April 19<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P
style="LINE-HEIGHT: normal; MARGIN: 0in 4.5pt 0pt 0in; tab-stops: 1.0in 5.25in"
class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; FONT-SIZE: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-style: italic">TICKETS:<SPAN
style="mso-tab-count: 1">
</SPAN></SPAN><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; COLOR: #3f265a; FONT-SIZE: 12pt">$13 -
$70, call </SPAN><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; FONT-SIZE: 12pt">216-241-6000 or visit
to <A href=""><FONT
color=#e11a1f>www.greatlakestheater.org</FONT></A><o:p></o:p></SPAN></P></FONT></DIV></BODY></HTML>