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As You Like ItBy William Shakespeare
The Next Stage Theatre
(1523 North La Brea, Los Angeles 90028)
A production of Declan Adams Theatre
Date of reviewed performance: May 30, 2009
Cast
Rosalind - Jenny Ashman
Adam/Silvius - Frank Astran
Charles/William - Jake Brown
Jacques - Kerry Hennessy
Orlando - Jeff Holden
Corin/Audrey - Eliza Kiss
Phebe - Jennifer Lane
Celia - Lovelle Liquigan
Duke Frederick/Duke Senior - Megan Morrison
Touchstone - Zack Price
Oliver - Erwin Tuazon
Le Beau/Amiens - Lourdes Uribe
Directed by Jeff Morris
Shakespeare set in Venice Beach? Dude... The latest production from the Declan Adams Theatre stays faithful to the immortal bard's original text (though not his original setting) to hilarious and surprisingly poignant results with As You Like It; performances Saturdays through June 20th.
The performance begins rather dramatically with a series of wordless exchanges, entrances and exits that introduce us to the characters with whom we will be spending the next two hours. It's an odd foot to start a Shakespearean comedy out on, in no small part because it is reminiscent of CRASH. Once our characters begin speaking, we learn that family dysfunction is the name of the game.
Duke Frederick has removed his elder brother from power and exiled her. She allows her niece, Rosalind (the exiled Duke's daughter) to stay because of the close relationship the girl shares with her own daughter, Celia. This is a short lived reprieve however as once Frederick becomes irrationally angry with Rosalind, she too is banished. Celia and Rosalind take on disguises of men and run away with their friend, Touchstone, in hopes of reuniting with Rosalind's father. Allow me to note, for fear that the pronoun use in this review is going to be nonsensical to many readers, that approximately five roles in As You Like It which are written for males are played in this production by women who are dressed and behave like women, but maintain their original male names and references. Worry not, it isn't nearly as distracting as it seems it should be.
Meanwhile, a young man named Orlando is having his own brother trouble. Elder brother Oliver, feeling threatened, sets out to kill Orlando (who coincidentally, has just met Rosalind and has fallen in love instantly). Orlando and his servant go on the run, much to the torment of Orlando's lonely heart. These journeys take everyone out of the stylish Beverly Hills power party and into the hippy heaven of Venice Beach. We find that Duke Senior has made a home here and become an earth mama, holding court with a motley crew of devotees, practicing yoga and just being, man. It is here that Orlando and Rosalind meet again (Orlando being unaware it is her, of course). A lover's game begins. Mistaken identities and love triangles ensue, taking every ounce of creativity Rosalind has to bring everything about to its correct end.
There is a ton of really fantastic talent in this production. Jake Brown's William is completely unexpected and absolutely delightful. Lovelle Liquigan steals every scene that she's in with her subtle physical comedy and not-at-all subtle facial expressions. She also has some amazing line deliveries that will make you think Shakespeare had SoCal in mind all along. Jenny Ashman, Kerry Hennessy, Eliza Kiss and Jeff Holden all turn in solid, memorable performances. Overall, it's a really strong cast delivering one of the freshest perspectives on Shakespeare that LA has seen in quite some time. Tickets are $15 and worth every cent. You really must see this show.
As You Like It:
