BWW Reviews: LOVES LABOURS LOST at STNJ's Outdoor Stage is a Delight for Theatergoers

"What a scene of foolery have I seen, Of sighs, of groans, of sorrows and of teen."

Love's Labour's Lost

Summer is officially here. And one of the treats of the season is the The Shakespeare Theater of New Jersey's (STNJ) Outdoor Stage. This year's production, Love's Labour's Lost by William Shakespeare will delight theatergoers of all ages. Romance and comedy take center stage in this superb production directed by Brian Crowe. The show will be performed through July 26th at the popular open-air venue located on the grounds of the College of Saint Elizabeth in Morris Township. The ancient Greek-style theatre has general seating on the stone and grass tiers. Come early and bring a picnic to enjoy on the lawn before the show.

Love's Labour's Lost tells the story of four noblemen who take a vow to spend three years studying and denying the company of women. Their plan becomes complicated when four witty and wise French beauties arrive in their domain. The story has fantastic twists and turns as love letters between the noblemen and the ladies of France fall into the wrong hands and cause a complicated series of events including mistaken identities.

STNJ has assembled cast that makes Love's Labour's Lost pure pleasure. They deliver Shakespeare's prose with the utmost skill while keeping perfect pace with this fast moving story. The cast includes Jonathan Raviv as King Ferdinand of Navarre, Jesmille Darbouze as the Princess of France; Ben Jacoby as Berowne, Susan Maris as Rosaline, Aaron McDaniel as Longaville, Austin Ku as Dumain, Clark Scott Carmichael as Boyet, Jeffrey M. Bender as Armado, Connor Carew as Costard, and Bruce Cromer as Holofernes. And rounding out the cast are James Costello, Rebecca Gomberg, Joseph Hamel, Kristen Kittel, Felix Mayes, and Carrie Walsh.

Scenes offer beguiling moments that include the clever, flirty conversations between Berowne and Rosaline, hilarious clowning by Costard and the bluster of Armado. You will be thoroughly amused when the four noblemen appear on stage disguised as Mosovites and touched by the real tenderness that develops between King Ferdinand and the Princess of France. And audience members at the outdoor stage will enjoy the creative entrances and exits that use the theaters steps. It brings the action so close you truly feel a part of it all.

The creative team has done a wonderful job of bringing Love's Labour's Lost to the outdoor stage with scenic design by Charlie Calvert, lighting design by Hamlton E.S. Smith and costume design by Nikki Delhomme. Alison Cote is the production stage manager.

Don't miss Love's Labour's Lost. Bring your friends and family and be a part of this treasured summer tradition for theatergoers in the metropolitan area. The show runs for two hours including one intermission. For tickets and information, call The Shakespeare of New Jersey Box office at (973) 408-5600 or visit their web site at www. http://shakespearenj.org/.

Photo Credit: Jerry Dalia