Shakespeare & Co.’s “As You Like It” a touch of 1920s Paris

by Kory Loucks

LENOX-Who would have thought that Shakespeare’s “As You Like It” would be a perfect comedy for a musical? At Shakespeare & Company’s marvelous, lively, and shining version, set in “Gay Paree” of the 1920s, it can and it does.

With music composed by Alexander Sovronsky, and the many capable musicians in the cast, the show begins with a court dance set to the Charleston, and the two lead women dressed in flapper dresses.

The plot follows the fortunes of two brothers, the eldest treats his younger brother Orlando poorly, and Orlando challenges a fighter to a wrestling match.

Cousins Rosalind and Celia see Orlando wrestle and it is love at first sight for Orlando and Rosalind.

Celia’s father has banished Rosalind’s father to the forest of Arden and soon thereafter sends Rosalind packing. But Celia goes with her, as does the court’s fool, Touchstone.

Once in the forest, Rosalind finds love notes plastered onto branches and carved into trees from Orlando to her. She is in disguise as a man in order to travel more safely through the world, and tells Orlando she (as a he) knows Rosalind and how to woo her.

The role of Rosalind is arguably one of the best, most intelligent female characters all of Shakespeare. Sometimes giddy as a school girl, other times wise as a monk, Merritt Janson lives up to the demands and delights of this feisty role. Although there were no Parisian accents in the show, thankfully, Janson had a slight Irish lilt occasionally. She also looks much like the French film actress Juliette Binoche. She also plays a lovely mandolin.

Tony Roach plays Orlando with great physicality and enthusiasm and he does it all with youthful charm, while Kelley Curran plays Celia with a sweet and funny devotion and undying love for Rosalind.

Jonathan Epstein is disarming as the fantastical fool, Touchstone, who is the truth-teller of the show. His leaving the court for the woods is an indication that all is not well back at the palace and good sense has been tossed out while abusive power has taken hold.

Johnny Lee Davenport has the most challenging job of playing the two duke brothers. He manages to make them distinct enough so that he really does seem like two different people. The two characters are never on the stage at the same time, but their cues are quite close so quick costume changes and fast feet with separate entrances do the job admirably.

It’s all silly fun and the able cast is well directed by Tony Simotes, who also does the fight choreography. The wrestling was a little stilted and awkward, but the fighter Charles, played by Kevin O’Donnell does a good imitation of a World Wrestling Federation pro.

The set is simple, but functional with a small-scale Eiffel Tower and Arc de Triomphe that lets you know immediately you aren’t in Kansas anymore. Behind there is the Forest of Arden whose limbs and tree trunks become more revealed as the play continues. Set design by Sandra Goldmark.

The costumes are very good, especially Touchstone’s Harliquin multi-colored jacket and the duke’s glamorous robes. Celia and Rosalind’s first lacy dresses look surprisingly cheap, however, and Rosalind’s wedding dress is easily two sizes too big. I know they are supposed to be flapper gowns, but it looks like it will fall off her petite frame at any second.

From the French court to the Forest of Arden, “As You Like It” is a happy, clever, witty, and irreverent comedy at Shakespeare & Company, playing through September 4.

Four Stars

Location: Founder’s Theatre, 70 Kemble Road, Lenox, Mass.

Production: Written by William Shakespeare. Directed with fight choreography by Tony Simotes. Set design by Sandra Goldmark. Costume design by Arthur Oliver. Lighting design by Les Dickert. Composer, sound design and music direction by Alexander Sovronsky.

Running time: 3 hours including one intermission.

Show Times: 7:30 p.m. and matinees at 2 p.m. on selected Tuesdays through Sundays through Sunday, Sept. 4.

Tickets: Range in price from $15 to $65. Call 413-637-3353 of visit their website at www. Shakespeare. org

ACTOR…CHARACTER

Merritt Janson … Rosalind

Orlando … Tony Roach

Kelley Curran … Celia

Malcolm Ingram … Adam

Jonathan Epstein … Touchstone

Johnny Lee Davenport … Duke Senior, Duke Frederick

Jaques … Tod Randolph