Past Comedy:
Kentwood Players presents
As You Like It

As You Like It
by William Shakespeare
Directed by Karintha Touton
Assistant Director Jeremy Speed Schwartz

Musical Direction by Ben Jaffe

Produced by Ron “Adam” Dunberger
July 9 – August 14, 2010

Calling all lovers, all travelers and fools. Trying to find meaning in the madness? Overwhelmed by the clutter and stress of modern life? Banished by a usurping duke? Kentwood Players invites you to run away with us to The Forest of Arden. As You Like It gives us only what we like: sibling rivalry, mistaken identities, cross dressing, an eight way wedding… while bringing us some of Shakespeare’s best written characters.

Duke Senior is banished from the city by his usurping brother. As he happily takes up residence in the Forest of Arden, Rosalind (his daughter) stays behind in the oppressive court of the new Duke. While in the city she briefly meets and falls in love with Orlando. Unfortunately, before the lovers have a chance to get to know each other, the new Duke banishes Rosalind. Off she goes, disguised as a boy, to the Forest of Arden. Along with her go her cousin Celia, Touchstone the clown, and a thoughtful optimism which allows her to see a joyful duality in everything.

The forest presents us with a strange pageant of accidental meetings and comical pairings. Within the forest we meet the famous Jaques, a melancholy wit well known for recounting that “All the World’s a Stage.” This is a suitable quip, for the forest becomes a space where each character can play out their fantasies and create their own identities.

The city, here envisioned by Karintha Touton and Jeremy Speed Schwartz, is an over-industrialized, media saturated setting. As the characters escape to Arden, they begin to transform. So too does the scenery, shifting into a fanciful space where business suits, bows and arrows, palm trees, and lionesses exist side by side. The media transforms along with the environment, going from a mass media culture to one of live music and poetry hung on trees. The songs, composed by local Indy artist Ben Jaffe, are a blend of modern folk and rock which call to the simple pleasures of the country life but with a distinctive contemporary sound.

Director Karintha Touton believes that “Theater is our Forest of Arden. We all have to exist in the clutter and stress of this modern world, but Kentwood is a place we can escape to for a time, where anything can happen, and where we can play out the better parts of ourselves. There couldn’t be a better time to bring As You Like It to a modern audience. Don’t miss it!”

Character

CAST

Played by
Orlando ············ Lorenzo Bastien
Adam ············ Scot Renfro
Oliver/Martext ············ Mark Mayes
Charles ············ Marco Antonio Garcia
Rosalind ············ Meredith M. Sweeney
Celia ············ Alison Stebbins
Hesperia ············ Melodie S. Rivers
Touchstone ············ Drew Fitzsimmons
Duke Frederick/Duke Senior ············ Rick Gates
Amiens ············ Martin Feldman
Corin ············ Catherine Rahm
Silvius ············ David Neiman
Jaques ············ Susie McCarthy
Audrey ············ Lauren Billingsley
Phebe ············ Caity Engler
William/Hymen ············ Jordan Bland

CAST PICTURES

Rosalind, disguised as Ganymede, convinces Orlando to woo her, much to the amusement of Celia.
Duke Frederick is constantly entrenched in the affairs of the City.
Orlando the Underdog defeats Charles the Wrestler.
Jaques calls fools into a circle.
Touchstone and Corin laugh as Rosalind discovers Orlando 's terrible poetry.
Orlando is in love with Rosalind. Rosalind is disguised as the boy Ganymede. Phebe has fallen for Ganymede, but Silvius is still devoted to her. Such is life in the Forest of Arden!
Before being banished to the Forest of Arden, Rosalind and Celia gossip about city life while Hesperia eavesdrops.
Adam tries to stop a fight between the sons of Sir Rowland De Boys.
Orlando threatens Duke Senior's feast.
Touchstone intimidates William as Audrey looks on adoringly.
Orlando hangs an odious ode to Rosalind on a tree.
While disguised as Ganymede, Rosalind is pursued by Phebe, who in turn is pursued by Silvius.
Touchstone entertains Rosalind and Celia with his foolish knavery and wit. L to R: Drew Fitzsimmons, Meredith M. Sweeney, Alison Stebbins
The foresters serenade Jaques at their afternoon feast. L to R: David Neiman, Jordan Bland, Lauren Billingsley, Melodie S. Rivers, Caity Engler, Marco Antonio Garcia
Silvius adores Phebe who is in love with Rosalind who is dressed as a man. Corin and Celia enjoy the scene! L to R: Caity Engler, Catherine Rahm, Alison Stebbins, David Neiman, Meredith M. Sweeney
Corin is not amused by Touchstone's wit. L to R: Catherine Rahm, Drew Fitzsimmons
The Foresters mimic Jaques reaction to an injured stag, much to the Duke's amusement. L to R: Marco Antonio Garcia, Jordan Bland, Rick Gates
Orlando threatens his oppressive brother Oliver as his servant Adam looks on helplessly. L to R: Mark Mayes, Lorenzo Bastien, Scot Renfro
Orlando is speechless upon meeting Rosalind, much to Celia's amusement. L to R: Lorenzo Bastien, Meredith M. Sweeney, Alison Stebbins
Rosalind, disguised as Ganymede, convinces Orlando to woo her. L to R: Meredith M. Sweeney, Lorenzo Bastien
Photos by Ron “Adam” Dunberger.

KENTWOOD PLAYERS

Westchester Playhouse
8301 Hindry Ave.
Los Angeles, CA 90045
(Click here for map)

310-645-5156
boxoffice@kentwoodplayers.org