NKU Theatre to Present AS YOU LIKE IT, Begin. 11/21

The Department of Theatre & Dance at Northern Kentucky University is proud to present Shakespeare's As You Like It directed by Sandra Forman in the NKU Robert & Rosemary Stuass Theatre. This production runs Nov. 21 - Nov. 24, it will then break for Thanksgiving and resume Dec. 4 - Dec. 8, 2013.

For anyone, who is unfamiliar with Shakespeare's As You Like It, Rosalind, the daughter of a banished duke falls in love with Orlando the disinherited son of one of the duke's friends. When she is banished from the court by her usurping uncle, Duke Frederick, Rosalind switches genders and as Ganymede travels with her loyal cousin Celia and the jester Touchstone to the Forest of Arden, where her father and his friends live in exile. Many hilarious and heartwarming events ensue in this play considered by many to be one of Shakespeare's greatest comedies. Director, Sandra Forman, is well versed in the play's many twists and turns. In 2002, Forman directed As You Like It for the Virginia Shakespeare Festival in Williamsburg, VA, and had this insight for her actors, "...approach to the text is the Art of Verbal Seduction. Everything that a character says is either angling, goading, fast-talking, propositioning, romancing -- it's all about seducing another character or ALWAYS the audience." Forman goes on to say, "[she hopes audiences walk away with an] understanding and feeling for the unifying power of love."

What better characters to exemplify Forman's sentiments than Rosalind and Orlando. The young characters are drawn to one another under the most unusual circumstances, revealing that love always knows best. Miranda Kaye Hamilton, who plays Rosalind, and Wesley Carman, Orlando, feed off the passion and honesty of their characters. Hamilton delves into the work with a strong sense of Forman's direction stating, "...not only is she [Rosalind] a teacher of love, but she is also a student of love simultaneously. Rosalind's strength and wit allows for a playful fantasy with Orlando, developing his love for her and vise versa." Carman adds to the chemistry by making the character hard to resist. "[Orlando is a lot like Shakespeare's] Romeo because of his passion and romanticism (which is often mocked throughout the course of the play), but there is more to him than that. Orlando has a charm about him that naturally draws people to him and a playful, lighthearted attitude much like Mercutio." - Carman

Tickets are on sale now for this upbeat, fast-paced classic!

The show times are based on the days of the week. Wednesday - Saturday performances are at 8pm. Sunday performances are matinees and will start at 3pm.

For more information call the NKU Fine Arts Box Office at 859.572.5464 or go to www.Theatre.nku.edu.