'As You Like It' brings interesting twist to Shakespeare

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.

The music in the court will be piped in through speakers.

"There is more electronic, techno-type music in the court," Smith said. "We're even using a song from 'The Matrix.'"

Pat Crowe, a sophomore business major playing Oliver, said he thinks the music really makes the show.

"The music is a great addition to the show," Crowe said. "It creates cool transitions between scenes that make a big difference."

Gawel thinks the music will help keep the audience guessing.

"People in the audience, sitting at a Shakespeare play, will be very surprised to hear 'Sweet Dreams' by the Eurythmics in a transition," Gawel said. "I love the modern take, and I love how the music takes a big role."

Although this rendition of "As You Like It" definitely has a different twist, Smith hesitated to use the word modern since he feels Shakespeare is meant to change with the times.

"Sometimes people say, 'Are you doing Shakespeare in a modern way or more traditionally?' But that is really a misnomer," Smith said. "It's not about the costumes or the music; it's about the language of the play. It's about what the characters are saying or doing to each other."

Erin Lowry, a junior journalism and mass communication and theater major, said she feels any confusion is easy to overcome.

"If you're nervous about the language, go online and look up a synopsis just so you get the gist of what's going on and what the characters are doing," said Lowry, who plays Rosalind, the leading female role.

Gawel addressed her initial intimidation with the play in a similar way.

"I went out and bought 'No Fear Shakespeare,' which is basically like a Sparknotes version," Gawel said. "It has the actual version of 'As You like It' and the modern version on the other side."

Lowry said she feels the old language will not be a problem for the audience.

"I love the physical humor that comes out of the play," she said. "People get worried with Shakespeare. They say, 'I don't understand what he's saying. It's so complicated.' We make it easy to understand with our bodies. It comes through very clearly just through body language."

The cast has spent a lot of time on this production, ensuring it is able to do just that.

Rehearsals began Sept. 7 and have run every Monday through Thursday since, and even more frequently and intensely lately, Smith said.

Although the production has taken up a lot of the cast's time, said Lowry, it has been an enjoyable experience.

"We do spend a lot of time together. About half the cast is theater veterans, and then we have eight or nine new kids who have never done a show with us," Lowry said. "I'd say we've bonded well as an ensemble."

Although the cast chemistry hasn't been an issue, the production has not been without problems.

"We have battled with illness," Smith said. "But I am trying to keep things fun and even-keeled so we can recover."

Lowry hopes the audience will find the show as fun as the cast has.

"It's a comedy. It's just fun. We're not in old clothes or anything," Lowry said. "If you want to laugh, come see this play. It is really funny. It's an interesting spin on a timeless classic."

Smith also said he thinks the audience should find the play entertaining.

"Just surrender to the language of Shakespeare, the energy and the poetry and the work that the students have done," Smith said. "They (the cast and crew) did a really good job."

Shows began Wednesday and will run through Saturday at 7:30 p.m at Garrett Theater. Students can claim free rush tickets at the box office one hour before the show with their student ID cards. Tickets are $6 for subscribers, faculty, staff and senior citizens and $8 to the public.

malmgrlj@sbu.edu