As You Like It

by William Shakespeare
directed by Beth Wolf

July 9 – August 28, 2016

Performed outdoors at
Lincoln Park, Touhy Park, Schreiber Park, and Gross Park

As You Like It featured a cast of 15 and original music. When Rosalind is banished by the evil Duke, she and her cousin Celia set out to the Forest of Arden to make a new life, disguised for safety as a brother and sister. As fate would have it, Orlando, whom Rosalind loves, also flees the evil Duke to the Forest of Arden. But disguised as a boy, Rosalind cannot reveal herself to him. Will true love win out? With joyful music, hilarious comedy, and some of the most famous lines ever penned by Shakespeare, As You Like It delighted audiences.

As You Like It Original Cast Recording now available! Available for download on all your favorite music sites.

Reviews

“…a fleet, 90-minute version of As You Like It, adapted and directed by Beth Wolf, and performed by a talented, energetic 15-member ensemble of actors and musicians. Anchored by the articulate, distinguished James Sparling as both of the Dukes, radiant performances by Charlee Cotton and Emily Demko as Celia and Rosalind and featuring upbeat, toe-tapping music (and some ballads) by Elizabeth Rentfro, who also plays a sardonic but complex Jacques, this As You Like It is Chicago summer entertainment at its finest.” –Chicago Stage Standard

“We laid out the blankets, pulled out the wine, opened up the snacks and basked in Shakespeare al fresco…. It was Chicago. It was theatre.  It was a perfect way to enjoy both.” –The Fourth Walsh 

Cast and Crew

CAST LIST
in alphabetical order:

Charlee Cotton (Celia)
Emily Demko (Rosalind)
Eric Duhon (Orlando)
Richard Eisloeffel (Silvius, Second Lord)
Adam Gianforte (Le Beau, Lord/Musician, Jaques de Boys)
Sonia Goldberg (Corin, First Lord)
Adam Habben (Touchstone)
Margaret Kellas (Audrey, Lady at Court)
Maggie Miller (Adam, Oliver Mar-text)
Ian Michael Minh (Oliver, Lord/Musician)
Alexis Randolph (Phebe, Lady at Court)
Elizabeth Rentfro (Jaques)
Erick Rivera (Amiens)
Shane Roberie (Charles, Lord/Musician)
James Sparling (Duke Frederick, Duke Senior)

PRODUCTION STAFF: Beth Wolf (Director), Robin Waisanen (Stage Manager), Kristina McCloskey (Assistant Director), Elizabeth Rentfro (Composer/Music Director), Chris Smith (Violence Designer) and Beth Laske-Miller (Costume Designer)

Gallery

Alexis Randolph as Phebe

Margaret Kellas as Audrey and Adam Habben as Touchstone

Sonia Goldberg as Colin and Adam Habben as Touchstone

Erick Rivera as Amiens and James Sparling as Duke Senior

Eric Duhon as Orlando, Emily Demko as Rosalind, and Charlee Marie Cotton as Celia

Elizabeth Rentfro as Jaques

Photo credit: Zack Whittington

This project was partially supported by the Illinois Arts Council Agency and by a CityArts Grant from the City of Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events.