Comments on: As You Like It

By: Todd Quick

Todd Quick — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 05:28:50 +0000

Excellent review, Tim, but with one very large oversight.

Elliot Dash does not sing in this production! The great solo sung at “Le Beau’s Place” in Act II is sung by Corin, played by Rafael Nash Thompson.

Mr. Dash played Charles and William, but does not sing at all in the play. Since Elliot was also in that scene, as the bouncer, I’m surprised that you missed this!

By: Sterling Gladstone

Sterling Gladstone — Sun, 29 Nov 2009 02:34:06 +0000

I wish I had enjoyed the production more, but felt that the high-concept, as fun as it was, usurped the story. BTW, Elliot Dash actually is known for musical performances: he provided stirring solo work in Ford’s “Civil War” last spring, and will be voicing Audrey II (the Plant) in “Little Shop of Horrors” at the same theatre next spring.

By: Ernie Joselovitz

Ernie Joselovitz — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 20:32:38 +0000

AS YOU LIKE IT is one of my favorite Shakespeare plays. They are not, as Ed K. suggests, “corny soap operas”, a blanket statement that is pugnacious but pretty silly, hardly worthy of further acknowledgement.
I do think the summary by Tim is a bit overloaded and, although I can’t defend some of the storyline and plotting, there is in his viewpoint a scepticism that brings on myopia. For example, Rosalind’s disguise as a boy is quite justified in the script. And the throw-away poem by Jacques, “Seven Ages of Man” is indefensible dramaturgically, but it is a diamond thrown to the crowd, and I forgive playwrights who can throw such gems to me under any circumstances.
Seen productions oodles of times, not one has made the play un-entertaining.

By: Ed K.

Ed K. — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 20:21:45 +0000

Sometimes it is hard to believe that Shakespeare’s comedies are still produced. Aside from bursts of brilliant speech, they are basically corny soap operas for the pre-TV eras.