Seattle Shakespeare Company Presents AS YOU LIKE IT, 5/20-6/24

Seattle Shakespeare Company's Artistic Director George Mount stages his first mainstage production–As You Like It–since being appointed to lead the organization last December. Shakespeare's romantic comedy of wandering and wooing in the woods features 15 actors with original music by Sarah McGuinn, playing May 30-June 24.

Tickets to As You Like It are available now through the Seattle Shakespeare Company Box Office at 206-733-8222 as well as online at www.seattleshakespeare.org.

"I got really interested in how this play pits nature, and the course of natural processes, against a world that is sort of stuck in a past and out of time," said Mount. "Also inherent in this play is the seeking of balance as well as a chance to start anew and more in alignment with the natural rhythms of the world. And it's just such a juicy romance that I thought it was perfect for the spring when our local world is in full bloom."

After Rosalind is banished from the court, she takes her cousin Celia and the fool Touchstone in to the Forest of Arden where the trio happen upon a merry band of outlaws–including Orlando, the man Rosalind loves. Dressed as a boy, Rosalind teaches Orland how to woo while also beguiling the young man. And it turns out love is catching as nearly everyone finds romance (both heartfelt and comical) tucked among the trees.

Out of the 15 actors in the cast, 13 have performed with company at one time or another during Seattle Shakespeare Company's history. For Hana Lass who plays Rosalind, As You Like It marks seventh production with the company. This is the third production for Nathan Smith who plays Orlando. Also featured in the cast are Keith Dahlgren (Duke Senior), Ray Gonzalez (Duke Frederick), Darragh Kennan (Touchstone), Rebecca Olson (Celia), and David Pichette (Jaques).

Seattle Shakespeare Company presents As You Like It, May 30-June 24, 2012 (Previews May 30 & 31; Opening Night Friday, June 1). Performance times: Thursday-Saturday at 7:30 PM with selected Saturdays at 2PM and selected Sundays at 2PM and 7:30PM.

CAST AND DESIGN TEAM

Duke Senior..................................................... Keith Dahlgren

Duke Frederick................................................ Ray Gonzalez

Corin............................................................... Bill Johns

Touchstone...................................................... Darragh Kennan

Silvius............................................................. David Brown King

Adam/Oliver Martext......................................... David Klein

Rosalind.......................................................... Hana Lass

Le Beau/Amiens............................................... Jon Lutyens

Phebe............................................................. Hannah Mootz

Oliver.............................................................. Peter Dylan O'Connor

Celia................................................................ Rebecca Olson

Jaques............................................................ David Pichette

Orlando........................................................... Nathan Graham Smith

Audrey............................................................ Donna Wood

Charles the Wrestler/William.............................. Jake Ynzunza

Scenic Designer............................................... Craig B. Wollam

Costume Designer........................................... Doris Black

Lighting Designer............................................. Roberta Russell

Composer....................................................... Sarah McGuinn

Sound Designer............................................... Robertson Witmer and Evan Mosher

Properties Designer......................................... Marleigh Driscoll

Fight Choreographers....................................... Peter Dylan O'Connor and Gordon Carpenter

Choreographer................................................. Crystal Dawn Munkers

Performances take place at the Center House Theater at Seattle Center, 305 Harrison Street, Seattle, Wash. Tickets to As You Like It are now on sale and range from $15-$40 for adults and $15-$25 for seniors and students. A Pay-What-You-Will preview is on May 29 at 7:30PM. Discounted tickets are available for groups of ten or more. For ticket reservations, call the Seattle Shakespeare Company box office (206) 733-8222 or go online at www.seattleshakespeare.org.

Seattle Shakespeare Company is the Puget Sound region's only year-round professional, classical theatre dedicated to producing the work of Shakespeare. The Company's growing success stems from a deep belief in the power and vibrancy of Shakespeare's words and ideas along with a commitment to artistic excellence on the stage. The results have been provocative performances that both challenge and delight audiences while fostering an appreciation for the greatest playwright the world has ever known.