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‘As You Like It’ @ Georgia Shakes
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
THEATER REVIEW. Grade: C
In its previous 22 seasons, Georgia Shakespeare has hatched a Civil War-era “Troilus and Cressida,” a Fellini-esque “Taming of the Shrew” and a radically condensed version of “Othello” with a streamlined ensemble of six.
Tweaking the Bard is a smart way to relieve contemporary audiences from the doldrums of Elizabethan England, and it affords savvy directors and designers a chance to reference 400 years’ worth of fabulousness in art, fashion and technology. At the end of the day, Georgia Shakespeare’s productions usually make compelling cases for such fanciful modern treatments.
Not so with director Karen Robinson’s “Summer of Love”-style makeover of “As You Like It,” Shakespeare’s well-nigh perfect comedy of mistaken identities and misplaced affections.
With two recent Joe Orton comedies playing off the same themes, the ’60s gimmicks — Mondrian dresses, hippies in bell-bottoms and a daisy-strewn Forest of Arden — are beginning to feel a little like recycled party favors.
And while most of the performances are perfectly fine and occasionally quite good, you get the impression that more time went into the playing up the hippy shtick than shading in the emotional rainbow. (Kat Conley’s vision of Arden as curlicue cutouts of trees and the Duke’s court as a series of almost Asian-inspired shades only serves to mix the visual metaphors.)
Rosalind — who disguises herself as the young boy Ganymede, much to the confusion of her lovestruck suitor, Orlando — is the most dazzling female character in Shakespeare. But in Park Krausen’s tepid treatment, we see only glimmers of the trousered heroine’s genius.
It doesn’t help that the fetching actress is burdened with a coarse-looking bobbed wig throughout and, in the opening scenes, the strangest costume in Sydney Roberts’ otherwise nice-looking fashion grab bag: a zigzaggy gray jacket that has all the seductiveness of reptilian armor. Krausen’s performance kind of makes you wonder if newcomer Susannah Millonzi (Celia) would not have made for a more inspired and inventive Rosalind.
Fortunately, Daniel Thomas May is up to the task as the perennially perplexed Orlando. Rendered speechless by the sight of Rosalind, the hero’s demeanor becomes that of a goo-gooing 17-month-old: clueless, adorable and wholly in love with the object of his affection.
Alas, Joe Knezevich’s world-weary parsing of melancholy Jaques’ “All the World’s a Stage” speech doesn’t quite hit it, although Chris Kayser’s account of Touchstone is as big and broad as the court jester’s enormous velvet bow-tie. The trio of wandering musicians (JC Long, Sam Bardwell and David Quay) is one ’60s-inspired touch that works.
As the show drags on, the arrival of Brynn Tucker’s Phebe is a delightful and welcome diversion. If Rosalind doesn’t seem to be having much fun, it’s a marvel to see this hapless shepherdess make a complete fool of herself.
At the end of the labored opening night, actor Brad Sherrill (who played Orlando in 2001 and here makes for an eloquently irritated Duke Frederick) was given a special citation for his 20 years with the company. In that brief, unscripted tribute, there was more joy and spontaneity than in the nearly three-hour production that preceded it.
For all the “Summer of Love” hoopla, this show can’t figure out how to let the sun shine in.
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Comments
By Jeff Sokolow
June 18, 2008 12:14 PM | Link to this
I think that Wendell Brock must have seen a different show than the one my family saw last night. While it might not be the strongest show they have ever mounted, “As You Like It” works fine as 60’s redux, and Park Krausen was excellent as Rosalind. Chris Kayser is always a stand out and did not disappoint. We also were very moved by Joe Knezevich’s “All the World’s a Stage” speech. However, I would agree that Brynn Tucker was terrific as Phebe. I predict great things for her and hope she has major roles in future shows.
By patricia
June 18, 2008 12:52 PM | Link to this
I saw this show last night with my family, and we loved it. I second everything that Jeff Sokolow said. Park Krausen is fun and fantastic. Chris Kayser, Joe Knezevich, Brynn Tucker, Enoch King were all notable. Also worth noting: The play ran a brisk 2 hrs. 30 minutes. And it flew by! And my husband (who knows nothing about Shakespeare, and enjoyed every minute of this play) would like to suggest to the critic that Orlando is by no means the “hero” of this story”.
By yemi
June 18, 2008 3:20 PM | Link to this
a fine review
By Larry Pinson
June 18, 2008 4:27 PM | Link to this
The ’60s & ’70s Flower Power era is warmly and fondly recalled by many, including even some who lived through it as adults. I did not see this time-setting for “As You Like It” as shtick. Actually, the spirituality of that era, as I understand it, the relatively minimalist sets used in this production, and the central message of Shakespeare’s play touchingly compliment each other. Congratualations to Gerogia Shakespeare for its vision and creativity in co-mingling disparate aspects of theatre arts so effectively! Jeff Sokolow and Patricial expressed views reflecting mine on the actors’ performances!
Larry Pinson