Review: Stolen Shakespeare Guild’s As You Like It

The audience for Stolen Shakespeare Guild's As You Like It outnumbered the cast by one. That was unfortunate because the cast gave a highly-entertaining presentation of Shakespeare. I won't call them amateurs; this is high-quality work. Among the cast bios, I counted 8 with bachelors degrees or above, several in theater, and three current students. One actor mentioned studying theater, but not graduating. The others may have just not mentioned their college training. All in all, a well-educated cast with the know-how to bring Shakespeare to life.

Jule Nelson-Duac was outstanding as Rosalind. She was superbly backed by Lauren Morgan as Celia. Both women delivered Shakespeare's lines with great naturalness, nothing artificial, nothing I'm-reciting-poetry about them.

Shelton Windham as Orlando and Benjamin Darling as Oliver did this as well, ably supporting the women as they deserved to be supported.

I liked Terry Yates in both his roles, but Duke Frederick could have been more menacing.

Steve Lindsay cavorted appropriately as Touchstone.

Jared Johnson as Le Beau was a hoot, but I thought he tried too hard to make his Sir Oliver Mar-Text distinguishable from his Le Beau.

I absolutely loved the mooncalf expression on Porter Grundy's face when he gazed at Phoebe.

Logan Ball was stolidly befuddled as William. His Charles was okay except that I thought his laugh was too artificial. (It was probably intended to be artificial.)

Sarah Bailey as Phoebe was over the top; too bad this isn't taken to schools. Adolescents would totally get her.

Esther Selgraph as Audrey giggled her way through the part -- a nice contrast to the more refined Rosalind and Celia.

J King as Peter gave the impression of being much older than I think he is. People his age in the Renaissance were much older.

Jason Morgan, Laird Thompson, and, David Kefton all gave fine performances -- ably supporting the comedy without distracting from it.

Lisa D'Alessandro enhanced the show by her lovely singing and guitar playing.

Techie stuff:

I noticed that Stefanie Glenn who impressed me in My Fair Lady at Plaza Theater Company last week did the lighting design. Most of the lighting was well done, but a couple of times the lights were rather abruptly switched off in the part of the stage that was not in use. I would have rather that they faded out, because I saw the change out of the corner of my eye. It called attention to itself. You know I hate that. Ms. Glenn is a member of this company; I look forward to seeing more of her work both on-stage and off.

I liked all of Lauren Morgan's costumes but Touchstone's. His was too short, or too long – one or the other. I think the costumer raided a couple of upholstery remnant shops: the best place to get brocades and patterned or solid, heavy fabrics like these. I noticed some hem problems in the first act that seemed to have been fixed by the time the costumes were worn again. The unsung costume department was on the job! (The program lists Rachel Morgan and Michael Lowery as the costume crew.)

The only thing I didn't like was the set. Rachel Kenneth's multilevel concept was fine, but the highest parts were too high. The steps up and down were very steep. I kept worrying that someone was going to fall. The smaller set at the end opposite the door put the actor's heads up by some sort of air conditioning vent that I found very distracting. The effect of the levels could have been achieved without quite so much height especially at that end.

The director, Jason Morgan, clearly understands Shakespearean theater. He effectively used the different areas of the set to move the play through the different scenes. Renaissance theater with its multitude of scenes can be difficult because the act structure of the modern theater is different. He handled it well.

I mentioned earlier that it is too bad this play is not taken to secondary schools. It has long been my belief that English teachers should not be allowed to "teach Shakespeare." These are plays! Meant to be seen and heard, not read! Many people come away from high school hating Shakespeare. The language is too difficult -- but if they saw the plays on stage acted by well-educated casts like this one, they would "get it." This play in particular, As You Like It, is well suited to present to middle school children. We should start on them when they are young so when they are adults a performance like this won't be attended by only a handful of people. A handful of the smartest people in North Texas, I might add.

Stolen Shakespeare Guild will be presenting As You Like It next weekend as well. If you can get to southwest Fort Worth, it will be well-worth your time. If you are one of those whose high school English teacher gave you a massive distaste for Shakespeare, go see this show; you will begin to understand what all the fuss is all about.

www.stolenshakespeareguild.com/