'As You Like It' brings interesting twist to Shakespeare
Lisa Malmgren
Issue date: 11/6/09 Section: Features
Comedy, forgiveness, role-playing, deceit, fighting, music, camaraderie, action and love.
No, this is not describing the latest box-office hit but rather the St. Bonaventure theater program's unique take on the beloved classic play by William Shakespeare, "As You Like It."
The play, which contains the famous line, "All the world is a stage," tells the tale of power-hungry dukes, confused lovers and powerful friendships.
"They haven't done a Shakespeare play in a while," said Lawrence Smith, adjunct professor of the visual and performing arts, who has never directed a play at St. Bonaventure before. "It's always been a favorite of mine."
Smith pointed out that along with being entertaining, the play raises interesting questions.
"A big point of entry for me was the idea that there were two worlds and the contrast between those worlds," Smith said, referring to the different settings of court life and forest life. "It makes me wonder, what do we lose with material gain in civilization, and what do we find when we are free of them?"
Much of the play takes place in the Forest of Arden.
"The forest in Shakespeare is always a magical place," Smith said. "The court is a more rigid, antiseptic environment."
Smith, along with the cast and crew, uses a variety of methods to set the scenes. The costumes in the court scenes are very form-fitting and futuristic.
"I start out as a secret service agent," said Shannon Gawel, a sophomore journalism and mass communication major. "Well, Shakespeare called them lords, but this is more modern so we have sunglasses and business outfits."
The music plays a large role in showing contrast between the two worlds.
"The forest music is acoustic and live, performed by the cast," Smith said.
Gawel, who plays cowbell in the chorus in addition to her other roles, appreciates what the music adds to the play.
"I like how the music and the old language comes together," Gawel said.
No, this is not describing the latest box-office hit but rather the St. Bonaventure theater program's unique take on the beloved classic play by William Shakespeare, "As You Like It."
The play, which contains the famous line, "All the world is a stage," tells the tale of power-hungry dukes, confused lovers and powerful friendships.
"They haven't done a Shakespeare play in a while," said Lawrence Smith, adjunct professor of the visual and performing arts, who has never directed a play at St. Bonaventure before. "It's always been a favorite of mine."
Smith pointed out that along with being entertaining, the play raises interesting questions.
"A big point of entry for me was the idea that there were two worlds and the contrast between those worlds," Smith said, referring to the different settings of court life and forest life. "It makes me wonder, what do we lose with material gain in civilization, and what do we find when we are free of them?"
Much of the play takes place in the Forest of Arden.
"The forest in Shakespeare is always a magical place," Smith said. "The court is a more rigid, antiseptic environment."
Smith, along with the cast and crew, uses a variety of methods to set the scenes. The costumes in the court scenes are very form-fitting and futuristic.
"I start out as a secret service agent," said Shannon Gawel, a sophomore journalism and mass communication major. "Well, Shakespeare called them lords, but this is more modern so we have sunglasses and business outfits."
The music plays a large role in showing contrast between the two worlds.
"The forest music is acoustic and live, performed by the cast," Smith said.
Gawel, who plays cowbell in the chorus in addition to her other roles, appreciates what the music adds to the play.
"I like how the music and the old language comes together," Gawel said.
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