Review: AS YOU LIKE IT at Gamut Theatre

The Shakespearean comedy As You Like It was first published in 1623. As You Like It introduces audiences to well-known characters Rosalind, Celia, Touchstone, Orlando, and Jacques. The play offers a contrast between courtly life and country life while exploring themes of love, identity, and forgiveness. Gamut Theatre Group presents As You Like It for their 33rd annual Shakespeare in the Park production. Under the direction of Kim Greenawalt and Emily MacLeod, As You Like It runs from June 5-20 at Reservoir Park.

The costumes (by Victoria Wojciechowski with costume assistant Jen Kilander and hair specialist Danelle Cook), set (by Calian Byard with scenic charge artist Janos Boon), props (by Becky Arney), and lighting (by Tristan Stasiulis) make each scene visually cohesive and interesting. The music, composed by Noah Smull, Diego Esmolo, Hope Mackenzie, and Alex Winnick, along with the choreography by Jess Yahner, helps to tell the story in a unique and engaging way.

The cast features Mia Graci (Hisperia/Ensemble), Georgia Bailey (Jacques de Boys/Ensemble), Kaylee Kramer (Dennis/Forest Lord 2), Ursula Ayler (Lebeau/Forest Lord 1), Willam J. O’Donnell (Adam), Seth Winnick (Charles/William), Adam Bateman (Sir Oliver Martext/Ensemble), Joel Colvin (Corin), Diego Esmolo (Amiens), Sofia Rivera-Walsh (Jacques), Preston Schreffler (Duke Senior/Duke Frederick), Hope Mackenzie (Audrey/City Lord), Alex Winnick (Touchstone), Eliezer Garcia Montoya (Silvius), Areanna Hope Kroll (Phebe), Haley Maruca (Oliver), Victoria DeBarnardis (Celia), Brendan Wolf (Orlando), and Eleanor Mund (Rosalind).

For the most part the cast and sound designer manage to overcome the difficulties of making everything heard and understood in the outdoor venue; however, there were times when the lines could have been spoken slower and more distinctly so that the audience didn’t miss anything. The scene synopses in the program are definitely helpful given the sound challenges. The entire cast clearly enjoys their work on this production, which comes through in the energy they put into their characters.

While every single actor on stage gives a delightful performance, there are a few performances that really stand out. Montoya’s performance as Silvius is so sweet that the audience cannot help but feel his heart-break when Phebe initially spurns his love for her. Rivera-Walsh performs Jacques with a gravitas suitable to the character’s trademark melancholy and delivers one of the play’s most famous monologues flawlessly. Wolf’s Orlando is filled with youthful exuberance, naïve expressions of love, and a charming personality. Mund’s performance as Rosalind really comes to life when she takes on the persona of Ganymede, infusing the character with wit and depth. Mackenzie and Winnik give two of the best performances of the evening as Audrey and Touchstone. Their scenes together are among the most engaging of the production, with great comedic timing, Stage Presence, and movement.

As You Like It is appropriate for audiences of all ages, so bring the family and enjoy free Shakespeare in the Park presented by Gamut Theatre through June 20th. Visit gamuttheatre.org for more information.