As You Will Love It
By Wes Hessel & Cate Rees-Hessel
When you wait for Writers Theater’s production of “As You Like It” to start, the pre-show music one might think is a nice little bookend to get you in the mood and set the stage. But when the band starts playing a song introduced by the band leader Jaques as “All the World’s a Stage”, you might think this isn’t your average Shakespeare show. And it’s not – it’s a brilliant musical adaptation which weaves the Bard’s original work with a powerful, playful (pun intended) score, the charming scene design set for good measure in Chicago during the Roaring 20’s.
Jaques, excellently portrayed by area favorite Matthew C. Yee, acts as both narrator and character, his musical prowess and comic timing during pre-show and then throughout front and center. Matt’s welcome to the show monologue is off the cuff (and the hook) very humorous. The great music by the onstage players (both the accomplished musicians and actors) frames and supports scenes perfectly, as do the warm, fall-like sets and wonderful costumes with the right amount of bling, especially the unique white wedding ensembles.
Another Windy City treasured thespian, Janet Ulrich Brooks, heralds the fights sponsored by Duke Frederick, in one of her delightful multiple characterizations – Janet’s ability to play any role well, and natural ease onstage, make her a pleasure to watch. Scott Aiello, as the new Duke, gives us a role you can’t refuse as the earl of dukes, so to speak, yet maintains regal bearing even when he is wheeled out sitting on a toilet. His brother Duke Senior – thoroughly personified by Paul Oakley Stovall – is his banished, beneficent rival.
The two cousins Rosalind and Celia, played most respectively by Phoebe González and Andrea San Miguel, are delightful and believable. Touchstone (the irreverent Jackson Evans) is the fool savant in a darling pink suit; Benjamin Mathew’s Orlando does the Shakespeare classic hero abundant justice, and Anand Nagraj, as his antagonist older brother Oliver, shows great range with very credible character progression.
The stage movement, be it choreography or fight scenes, is very sharp while strongly in character. Strong vocals deliver beautiful, heartfelt, romantic and thought-provoking music. This fun and dramatic adaption of Shakespeare has William himself smiling from heaven, and is looking to be one of the next big things, play wise, so don’t miss out. “As You Like It” bows off its world stage December 14th, so please direct your attention to www.writerstheatre.org for tickets or more information.
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