PicksInSix Review: As You Like It - Writers Theatre
TOP-NOTCH ENSEMBLE SHINES AT WRITERS!
PicksInSix® Review | Guest Contributor | Ronald Keaton
There is, up in Glencoe, a unique and striking musical adaptation of William Shakespeare's comedy masterpiece “As You Like It” playing at Writers Theatre through December 14. It's directed by Nichols Artistic Director Braden Abraham in bold, wonderfully outlandish strokes that enhance this story of lost souls who all find each other in the Forest of Arden. There is a magic in Arden. Everyone experiences a kind of ethereal conversion in attitude and outlook. Arden thus symbolizes more—a place of refuge and spiritual comfort, a haven of freedom.
There is a great deal of plot in the play that is simply too thick to fully share. Yet the adaptation by Shaina Taub and Laurie Woolery make highly accessible, in plain language, the various plot points that the Bard offers. They do not hesitate to use plain and modern language to help the storytellers along, and it's a welcome tool to have. Yes, the aficionado does miss some of that wonderful poetry, chiefly Jaques' classic, rueful rumination on life about the "seven ages of man." And then there's his sharp and welcome banter with the fool Touchstone in Shakespeare's play. But in hindsight, this approach doesn't really serve the Taub and Woolery vision. They see other ways to go.
Instead, the migration of unhappiness from the Court of Duke Frederick that ends up in Arden takes the well-known sentiment of contemporary life 'love is love is love...' to new places here. There is a company of subjects—including Duke Senior, his daughter Rosalind, his niece Celia and Touchstone—who all leave to find their romantic fortunes, banished by Frederick. One young man, Orlando, has become a kind of celebrity for his win in a wrestling match, while his brother Oliver starts out as a real bully in picking on Orlando. Through their own issues, they both end up in Arden and mend fences. And we've only just begun.
Eventually in this story, there is a literal quartet of lovers—traditional, same-sex, comic and dramatic—that celebrates their newly found love and release from the pressures of the world. The music/lyrics by Tony winner Taub are a potpourri of folk styles and rock rhythms, all filled with style and maturity. The music is played by an onstage, ragtag group, perfectly complimenting the action. Music direction came from the versatile Michael Mahler. The band is fronted by Matthew Yee as Jaques, who here becomes a kind of eloquent narrator of the action, while performing his scenes with the ever-present guitar in hand. It's an inspired placement of the character and fabulous usage of Mr. Yee's talents.
The tight cast is one of the great examples of ensemble acting this writer has seen in musical theatre in quite a while, as well as top-notch creators to represent. Everyone (and I mean everyone) has a moment or two to shine while being present in the story for the others. A few to mention, while honoring the truly professional level that all the actors reached: Benjamin Mathew's Orlando is passionate and aware of those passions at every turn. The Rosalind of Phoebe Gonzalez, whose male guise of Ganymede teaches Orlando to woo Rosalind, is charming and full. Andrea San Miguel offers a Celia ripe with energy and purpose. The great clown Touchstone lives in the capable, expert hands of Jackson Evans. There's the overbearing brother Oliver (the smooth, deep-voiced Anand Nagraj). The two Dukes—Frederick (Scott Aiello, tough and demanding) and Senior (Paul Oakley Stovall, subtle and tender)—show their family leadership constantly, even as they are on opposite sides. Chicago treasure Janet Ulrich Brooks shows up in at least three different characters, each expertly articulated. Please take note: the entire cast knows how to support each other, a refreshing and telling sign with work of such high quality. And a real bow to Mr. Abraham's direction.
Shakespeare's famous line "All the world's a stage, and all the men and women merely players" is not forgotten here either, and it receives a Taub examination in a song lyric: "All the world's a stage / And everybody's in the show / No one's a pro" is the first song we hear. It's sung by Mr. Yee as Jaques, the character who speaks the original line in the Shakespeare play. Same sentiment, more accessible and, in its own way, properly applied to today.
GUEST CONTRIBUTOR | RONALD KEATON received an Equity Jeff Award for the performance of his one-man show CHURCHILL. www.solochicagotheatre.org. Coming soon, his new solo play about Ben Franklin, THE FIRST EMBASSY.
PHOTO | Jenn Udoni
Writers Theatre
presents
AS YOU LIKE IT
325 Tudor Court
Glencoe, IL
through December 14
WEBSITE
PROGRAM
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