Review: As You Like It (Strangeloop Theatre)

  
  
As You Like It
   (A New Adaptation) 

Written by  William Shakespeare
Adapted by Letitia Guilland  
Directed by Brad Gunter
at Trap Door Theatre, 1655 W. Cortland (map)
thru May 6  |  tickets: $10-$15   |  more info
  
Check for half-price tickets 
  
  
   Read entire review
  

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Sorta Shakespeare

Strangeloop Theatre presents

As You Like It (A New Adaptation)

Review by Katy Walsh 

“All the world is a stage!” is a famous quote from Shakespeare’s play As You Like It.  That philosophy encourages theatres to be dynamic and ever-changing.  Even established plays receive a new look and life as a theater company interprets the work. 

Strangeloop Theatre presents As You Like It (A New Adaptation). Family issues at court has driven people into the Forest of Arden.  Some have been banished.  Some have escaped.  The royals and the shepherds now coexist in the wooded love haven.  Poetry is in the air and on the trees.  Everybody wants Rosalind, including Phoebe.  It’s Shakespeare’s frolicsome farce of mistaken identities, gender bender disguises and playful romance.  Strangeloop Theatre takes the light-hearted comedy and adds improv.  As You Like It (A New Adaptation) is Second City does Shakespeare.

Adaptor Letitia Guillaud describes her ambitious process in re-imagining Shakespeare in the program notes.  Guillaud and Director Brad Gunter had cast members improv the story basics in modern language. Guillaud then transcribed the rehearsals to create a script.  Anchoring the show is Peter Robards (Touchstone).  Robards makes the jester role bigger than life.  Robards interacts with the audience like he’s doing a stand-up schtick at Zany’s.  Some of the audience respond to his buffoonery with uproarious laughter.  For me, its the part of As You Like It that wasn’t as

I like it.  I’m not a huge fan of improvisation.  I like a solid script.

Under the direction of Gunter, the romantic and playful synergy between Emily Harpe (Rosalind) and Tony Kaehny (Orlando) enchants.  A confident Harpe and a naive Kaehny provide fun-loving madcap scenes.  An amusing Stevie Chaddock Lambert (Celia) is gal pal extraordinaire.  Lambert brings laughs and her own agenda on the love quest. A reserved and understated Donaldson (Duke Frederick/Duke Senior) reacts to situations with some killer comedy expressions.  

As You Like It (A New Adaptation) has stuff to like.  Strangeloop Theatre is having fun with Shakespeare.  They even poke fun of themselves on the program with the statement ‘Shakespeare… (sorta).‘  It’s a good-natured approach to a classic.  Strangeloop brings their own stuff to Arden:  boxing ring, card playing, fishing.  For those looking for a different Shakespeare take, this romp’s for you! For Shakes diehards, Strangeloop’s As You Like It may not be as you like it. 

Rating: ★★½

As You Like It (A New Adaptation) continues through May 6th at Trap Door Theatre, 1655 W. Cortland (map), with performances Thursdays-Saturdays 8pm, Sundays 2pm.  Tickets are $10-$15, and are available by phone (773-757-6689) or online at BrownPaperTickets.com (check for half-price tickets at Goldstar.com). More information at StrangloopTheatre.org.  (Running time: Two hours and 15minutes, includes an intermission)

Photos by Genevieve Sauvage

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