As You Like It

The song "All The World's a Stage" is apropos for what is happening in our world today, as is Writers Theatre's Midwest Premiere adaptation of William Shakespeare's As You Like It, by Shaina Taub and Laurie Woolery. Considered one of Shakespeare's most popular and beloved comedies, it's a blend of poetry, catchy songs, singing, and dancing, filled with drama, intrigue, and, most of all, love. This pastoral play romanticizes and idealizes country life as a refuge from corruption. Centered on the two protagonists, Rosalind and Orlando, Rosalind was banished by Duke Fredrick, who feared she would betray him after he exiled her father, Duke Senior, Frederick's older brother. Orlando, the son of Sir Rowland de Boys, who was a friend of Duke Senior, was forced to leave after Duke Fredrick sought to kill him after learning he was the De Boys' son. Fearing for their lives, Rosalind and Orlando depart their homeland. Rosalind, accompanied by Celia, who changed her name to Aliena, and Touchstone, the witty and cynical clown, disguises herself as a shepherdess named Ganymede. At the same time, Orlando leaves with Adam, the servant of his father, Rowland de Boys. They all meet in the enchanting land of love, known as the Forest of Arden. A place where people could reflect and experience a simpler, more natural life—totally different from the Court ruled by Duke Frederick, which represents fear, betrayal, and discord.

As You Like It consists of five acts. Act One showcases the conflict between brothers Duke Frederick and Duke Senior, and Oliver's intense jealousy and envy of Orlando, his younger brother. Orlando and Rosalind flee to the Forest of Arden in Act Two, with Acts Three, Four, and Five featuring the main themes of love, marriage, and the restoration of brotherly love between Duke Senior and Frederick. The play begins by allowing the audience to get drinks at the bar while they socialize, both standing and sitting on stage. The band, featuring Elisa Carlson, Matt Edmonds, Paul Oakley Stovall, and Matthew C. Yee as Jacques, provides a pre-show serenade. The staging is somewhat tight for the large number of cast members who run in and out during the performance, with some whizzing throughout the theater, sitting and speaking with the audience. Still, they make it work, providing a tantalizing mix of wit and intrigue.

One of the drawbacks of this Shakespeare play is that it comes across as disconnected and loosely structured compared to his other plays. Although its unified theme is the understanding of love, the play bounces around, exploring several episodes in which characters fall in love at first sight or try to escape the power of love, as seen and heard in the song called "You Phoebe Me." The play, which at times feels chaotic, does provide an undeniable, infectious, and electrifying upbeat atmosphere. This is a testament to the constant movement of the amazing array of cast members on stage, including the lively ensemble featuring Elisa Carlson, Matt Edmonds, and Matthew C. Yee as Jaques, filling the entire show with energy and captivating excitement. With 23 cast members, including understudies, the chemistry among all of them on stage was outstanding. Featuring Phoebe Gonzalez(Rosalind), Benjamin Matthew (Orlando), Andrea San Miguel (Celia), Anand Nagraj (Oliver), Scott Aiello (Duke Frederick), and incredible singing performances by Paul Oakley Stovall (Duke Senior) and a stunning comedic performance by Jackson Evans as Touchstone. The play also has one of my favorite actors, Janet Ulrich Brooks, who plays Agent, Mama Corin, and Martext. I could never see her enough. Be sure to catch the captivating vocals of Grace Steckler, who portrays Silvia, the love-struck spurned by Phoebe, played by Dakota Hughes. Steckler's performance marks her debut at Writers, and I am genuinely excited to see how she shares her vocals and talents in future productions at other Chicagoland theaters. The chemistry on stage was outstanding from all of the cast members.

Two-time Tony Award winner Shaina Taub masterfully shines with her modern folk-pop music and lyrics in this adaptation, featuring 22 remarkable songs. First and foremost, I must highlight that the costumes were exceptionally crafted. Their quality truly enhanced the overall experience. However, they present an interesting blend of styles, ranging from the elegance of period royal clothing to bohemian attire and a bold, edgy 1920s gangster fashion. The clothing diversity doesn't really work for me, as I wasn't sure what era we were visiting, which reinforces the disconnectedness I mentioned earlier. The play follows Shakespeare's original plot of love, identity, forgiveness, and happiness, with Shakespeare's vision of what a truly inclusive and accepting society could look like. Even if it's not something we are experiencing in today's world, it's something you can enjoy at Writers Theatre, albeit for a limited time only.

⭐⭐⭐1/2 Stars

Writers Theatre

As You Like It

Adapted by Shaina Taub and Laurie Woolery

Directed by Braden Abraham

October 30- December 14, 2025

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