As You Like It was liked. At least by the last two rows of the audience (at first).
I thought something was wrong when I laughed at Touchstone's first appearance. Then I realized that much of the audience was comprised primarily by 10-12 year olds from Aquinas Academy that did not understand many of Shakespeare's wonderfully bawdy verbal double meanings. To be expected I suppose. I felt very worldly sitting there knowing what he meant.
I laughed anyway. Occasionally I heard a giggle to my left.
I have never been to an SHU theater production that I did not love/like. The cast did not disappoint.
As You Like It not only displayed the actor's ability to act, but also their mental capacities to memorize huge amounts of Shakespearian text. Rosalind, Orlando and Touchstone specifically, spoke with an authority over their lines that I have never seen.
And kudos to the former blogging sparring partner that played Jaques. I could feel the melancholy, serious, and reflective character coming through. Great job. Too bad he couldn't have a wench like Audrey for his own :)
Shakespeare, songs, dancing, a happy ending and cross-dressing: all the ingredients for an entertaining afternoon at SHU.
Posted by Amanda Cochran at February 17, 2004 6:19 PMYes, Amanda was sitting several seats away from me, but I could tell she was enjoying herself, too.
While the kiddos didn't get all the sophisticated double-entendres, when Celia protests the banishment of Rosalind on the grounds that the two women were close -- that they "slept together" -- I saw plenty of exchanges of shocked glances.
Audrey was indeed noteworthy... and I always felt bad for William (whose intended suit of Audrey didn't go so well) and also Dennis (simply because once I looked up my name in a Shakespeare anthology and was disappointed -- no memorable lines, no tragic death... not much at all).
Posted by: Dennis G. Jerz at February 18, 2004 11:27 AMWilliam had cool-looking hair though. At least he has that going for him.
Posted by: Amanda at February 18, 2004 2:09 PMNothing beats Audrey's monobrow, though.
Posted by: Dennis G. Jerz at February 18, 2004 2:32 PMwhen I looked at the posters around campus, she didn't have one and Touchstone had a big nose. I guess they were taken during pre-production.
Posted by: Amanda at February 18, 2004 2:49 PMI thought the play was great. especially since i realized after quite some time that an old high school crush of mine played one of the characters...hmm who could it be? :)
Posted by: steph at February 19, 2004 11:29 PMhaha. I wonder?
Posted by: Amanda at February 19, 2004 11:43 PMI'm glad that you posted about the play, Amanda. I saw it last Friday night with my STW class, and though I had no one to chuckle with, I found much of it comedic. Seeing it on stage after having read it truly enhances the experience. :^)
Posted by: Karissa at February 20, 2004 5:30 PM